Being in a serious accident means you have suffered injuries that may require long-term treatment. If the accident was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. No matter the circumstances, you may need to seek help for your medical bills and lost wages. However, although a lot of injured victims in Alpharetta depend on an insurance policy to cover such expenses, some may need to pay out of pocket due to a denied claim. In this case, you need the guidance of a Ponton Law car accident attorney who can walk you through the steps to take after a denied claim.
Possible Reasons Your Claim Was Denied
As you deal with mounting medical bills, learning about the denial of your accident claim can be quite frustrating. But you shouldn’t lose hope because you still have options. The first step to dealing with a denied claim is to know the reason for the denial. Here are possible reasons you can explore:
- Not filing a claim promptly. The majority of insurers run their business within a short timeframe. They must adhere to the legal deadline, which is also called the statute of limitations. This makes it important to contact them as soon as possible. To start the claims process, make sure to report the accident within thirty days of its occurrence.
- Claiming more damages than you should. In some instances, requested damages may be more than the policy limits of the at-fault driver. In this case, the insurer may deny your claim. Some policies do not cover out-of-pocket costs such as therapy expenses and lost wages.
- Failing to give sufficient information. Insufficient or inaccurate injury and damage documentation can lead to a denied claim. Even minor mistakes can result in rejection. Insurers expect severe injuries; however, they require supporting police and medical reports.
- Sharing blame for the crash. If you are deemed to be more than fifty percent at fault for the accident, your claim may be denied. Instances such as traffic law violations and drunk driving may result in substantial payments for the liable party or void coverage.
- There is a dispute over liability. If the insurance provider disputes the assigned fault, your claim may be rejected.
- Canceled or lapsed policy. Motorists who neglect their insurance payments can lose coverage. Cancelations or lapses can take place because of forgotten payments, outdated payment information, or address changes.
- Undiagnosed injuries. Immediate medical attention must be sought after a car accident. It is necessary for claim approval. Not seeking medical care promptly may make it hard to prove liability. Also, insurers may argue that your injuries occur because of a pre-existing condition that is not related to the car accident.
Steps to Take After a Denied Accident Claim
To fight for the compensation that you deserve despite a rejection of your claim, you must take the right steps. First, you must speak with a car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will draft a demand letter that outlines your perspective, detailing your bodily injuries, damages, and evidence that supports the fault of the other driver. Also, your attorney can argue that the insurer engaged in improper practices when they handled and denied your claim.
When you start the appeals process, your attorney can handle negotiations, which can result in arbitration or exploring alternative resolutions to avoid a trial. To improve your odds in liability disputes, your attorney will get a copy of the official police report. This guarantees the accuracy of information and the strength of your claim. An experienced car accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident to collect other pieces of evidence that can support your appeal.
