Common Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Personal Injury Claims
Whether you have been involved in a serious car crash, slip and fall, or another type of accident and suffered injuries caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. You may think the insurance company you are filing a claim with is there to help, and that obtaining compensation will be relatively straightforward. Unfortunately, that is often not the case.
Insurance companies are big businesses and they are typically more interested in protecting their bottom line than they are in helping accident victims. To do this, they often deny claims from accident victims. There are several reasons insurers deny these claims, whether they are justified in doing so or not. Our Tampa personal injury attorney outlines some of the most common reasons for denials below.
Incomplete or Missing Documentation
There is a great deal of paperwork involved in any personal injury claim. Documents can include medical and police reports, photographs showing evidence of damage, itemized bills, and more. Insurance companies will view any missing or incomplete documentation as indicators of unconfirmed losses. To avoid a denial based on missing or incomplete documentation, retain copies of all diagnostics and correspondence. This allows your attorney to maintain the transparency of your claim and prevent issues that can cause lengthy disputes.
Failing to Seek Prompt Medical Attention
If you need to seek personal injury protection (PIP) benefits after a car accident, you must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash. If you fail to do this, the insurer has reason to deny your claim. If you are filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurer, you must still seek medical treatment. Failing to do so gives the insurance adjuster reasons to argue that you could not have suffered serious injury because you did not see a doctor.
Disputes Over Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance adjusters will often argue that an accident victim has a pre-existing condition and this is to blame for the injury instead of the accident. A pre-existing condition does not automatically bar you from filing a personal injury claim after an injury. If the accident exacerbated your injury and has made it worse, you are still eligible to file a claim.
Disputes Over Recorded Statements
If the insurance adjuster is in Florida, they must obtain your consent before recording your statements. However, if the adjuster is not in Florida, this law may not apply. Insurance companies want to record your statements so they can later use your own words against you. Never consent to a recorded statement and when speaking to an adjuster, only provide basic information and do not expand on any details. The best advice is to allow a personal injury attorney to speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
Our Personal Injury Attorney in Tampa Can Negotiate with the Insurer On Your Behalf
Insurance companies are strategic and they will try to deny or reduce your claim. At Moore Law, our Tampa personal injury attorney can communicate and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf so your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation. Call us today at 813-510-5400 or chat with us online to request a consultation and to get the legal assistance you need.
Source:
ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-5/subpart-B/section-5.29
