After an accident, filing for an injury claim may seem straightforward. However, insurance companies often examine claims closely and may dispute or deny them for several reasons. Whether the crash happened during a commute from Severna Park, Pasadena or any other surrounding area, the process may be more complicated than expected. Insurance companies carefully examine the claim and may deny or dispute it for many reasons.
Knowing these issues in advance can help an injured person to take steps to protect their case.
Reasons insurance companies may deny injury claims
Insurance companies might deny or challenge injury claims for several reasons, including:
- Missing evidence: Evidence might help establish how the accident happened and how the injuries resulted. Photographs, witness testimonies, medical records and other supporting documents can help support the injury claims.
- Delay in medical care: Delay in seeking medical care might raise questions about whether the injury was caused by the accident and about the severity.
- Disputes over fault: Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule, which makes fault disputes very common. If an insurance company thinks that the injured person contributed to the accident, it may deny the claim entirely.
- Missed deadlines: Claims are subject to legal and insurance-related deadlines. Delay in filing the needed paperwork may make it more difficult to get compensation.
- Coverage issue: Not all policies apply to every situation, and some claims may exceed the available coverage.
- Pre-existing conditions: An insurance company might argue that injury symptoms are related to a prior health condition
An injured person who understands these issues can be better prepared to protect their claim.
Steps that may strengthen your injury claim
Taking some steps early on might help in getting clarity and strength of a claim, such as
- Seeking immediate medical treatment after the accident
- Keeping evidence such as photos, reports and witness details
- Keeping treatment records, expenses and lost wages
- Reading the insurance communication, especially denial letters and seeing if additional documents are needed
These actions can help create a complete report of what happened and how the accident has affected an individual.
What to do when an insurance company denies a claim
An insurance denial does not mean the end of a claim. In some cases, providing additional evidence and clarification might help a person address some of the concerns of the insurer. Reviewing the reason for denial and understanding available options can play an important part in deciding the next course of action. An attorney can evaluate the circumstances and explain the available options.
