Anderson Injury Lawyers | October 28, 2021 | Car Accidents
Here’s what you can do if insurance companies say no.
We see this more often than we’d like: the insurance company denies your claim after a car crash has left you injured and in debt.
Whether it’s a claim for your personal injury protection or the other party’s insurer, you deserve better.
Every year, 43,000 car insurance claims are rejected. Learn how our car accident lawyers fight against a denied claim and how you can, too.
Reasons Your Insurance Company Denied Your Claim
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you might file a claim with your auto insurer. When it comes back denied, find out why.
In our experience, here are the top reasons why your insurance company denied your accident claim.
You Lack a Certain Type of Coverage
Insurance companies only cover the protection in your plan. For example, you tried to file a claim after an accident with an uninsured motorist. If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurer will deny the claim.
You’re Not a Covered Driver
You might be excluded from the policy if you are a teenager on your parent’s policy or if you recently divorced your spouse, who is the policy owner.
You Filed an Incomplete or Inaccurate Claim
The insurance company will deny claims that are incomplete or inaccurate. For example, you forgot to sign the claim or left off your vehicle identification number.
You Didn’t Add Coverage for a New Car
Your insurance company can rightfully deny your claim if you fail to add a new car to your policy.
Reasons the Other Party’s Insurance Company Denied Your Claim
Texas is an at-fault state. If you were hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you could file a claim against the other party’s insurance.
Here are the most common reasons why the other party’s insurance denied your crash claim.
They Claim You Caused the Crash
Insurance companies often try to point the finger at the person filing the claim. If they claim that you are at fault, they don’t have to pay.
You Didn’t Seek Medical Treatment Soon Enough
If you didn’t get medical treatment immediately after the crash – assuming your injuries were not life-threatening – the insurance company might think you’re not hurt.
You Failed to Prove the Other Party Is At-Fault
Insurance companies want proof of liability. They will deny your claim if you fail to show how the other party caused the accident.
You Have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition
Whiplash is a common injury after a car crash. However, the insurance company might deny your accident claim if you have a pre-existing condition for neck pain. They can also turn you down if they feel that you received medical treatment deemed “unnecessary.”
How To Turn a Denial Into a Settlement
It’s disheartening when you’re hurt, have a mountain of bills, and the insurance company denies your claim.
However, you could still get a payout from the insurance company. Here are suggestions for what to do if the insurance company denies your car accident claim.
Demand a Reason for Your Claim’s Denial
It’s your right as a consumer to know why the insurance company denied your claim. Sometimes, it was a simple error on their part. If the denial was deliberate, ask for a written explanation.
Gather Evidence of Liability
Get evidence if the insurance company denied your claim due to a lack of proof against the other party. An excellent place to start is by requesting a copy of the accident report from the Texas Department of Transportation. The accident report has information from the officer at the scene, including any moving violations or charges against the other driver.
Get Proof of Your Injuries
Ask your healthcare provider for medical proof of your injuries, such as X-rays or scans. You can also ask for a written evaluation.
File an Appeal with an Amended Claim
Your best chance at appeal is to directly answer the questions or concerns that caused the company to deny your claim the first time. For example, if the insurance company denied your claim because you didn’t include evidence of fault, make sure you have a copy of the accident report, witness statement, and other proof.
Pro’s tip: Address your appeal to a claims adjuster by name, not just to the company or a department. When you send your appeal to an individual, you can follow up by phone or email.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
If the insurance company denies your claim again, it may be time to get some help. Anderson Injury Lawyers deal with insurance companies all the time. We know what to include in a detailed demand letter that increases the likelihood of a payout. Also, we are tough negotiators. A car accident lawyer with our firm will demand top dollar for your injuries.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you when the insurance company denies your claim. We work on a “no win, no fee” basis. You get experienced legal help without upfront costs or risk.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
