Insurance companies are supposed to help and compensate you after a crash if you have car insurance. However, you will be surprised to learn that some insurance companies may deny your claim to make a personal profit. Insurance agents serve company goals and interests above client needs.
It is, therefore, important as a client to understand why your claim may be denied so that you do not end up compromising and settling for less or nothing at all.
The Accident Was Your Fault
Depending on the state you live in, your degree of fault will play a crucial role when filing for compensation. If the plaintiff has contributed to the crash, this is known as contributory negligence.
In states of pure contributory negligence, even if you are 1% at fault for a collision, you may no longer file a lawsuit against another party. Maryland is one of the states that enact pure contributory negligence laws.
Insurance companies often take advantage of this rule and exaggerate the level of fault of the victim to pay less or no compensation. If you feel that the insurance company is downplaying you by offering a lot less than you should be getting, you can consult an attorney.
A car accident lawyer in Maryland can assist you in understanding the actual value of your claim. They will assist you throughout the recovery process and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Delayed Medical Treatment or Inaccurate Records
Some accident victims don’t know the extent of their injuries until later. Some severe symptoms may show several weeks or months after the accident. However, the insurance company may interpret delayed medical treatment as fraud.
Car accident victims are usually advised to get quick medical checkups and treatment even if they feel that they only have minor bruises. Getting a medical examination immediately after the accident to document your condition can help prevent further complications with the insurance company.
It would be best to cross-check with your doctor to ensure that they have given accurate results and detailed notes on your condition to avoid vagueness or inaccurate information. Insurance companies may take advantage of incorrect records and disregard your claim.
Not Having Legal Representation
Insurance company agents are not your friends; they stand to gain certain benefits if your claim is denied. Suppose you do not have any legal representation. In that case, the insurance company agents will likely take advantage of your lack of knowledge and inexperience and offer you less or deny the claim entirely.
Studies have shown that many accident victims without legal representation accept the denial of their claims. Insurance companies gain a lot from this, which is why their first option when handling a victim claim is to deny it because many clients will not follow up on this.
Other mistakes made by victims in preparing or filing their claims include:
- Failure to file a lawsuit before the set deadline. The Maryland statute of limitations is usually three years from the date of the accident. However, you might have more or less time depending on your case. Consult your lawyer to learn the deadline that applies to your case.
- Mistakenly making comments that are harmful to their claims. Insurance companies may lure you into making statements that justify their denial to compensate you, so be careful what you say.
- Requesting compensation that does not cover the full extent of your damages.
- Accepting meager settlement offers.
What to Do When Your Claim Is Denied
When your insurance company denies your claim, you still have available options. It would be best to fight for what is rightfully yours. Consult an experienced car accident lawyer to learn about your rights and the actual value of your claim. When you have a lawyer, they can follow up on the case on your behalf and gain fair compensation for the accident.
