Reasons that Insurance Companies Reject a Claim

April 21, 2015

When you are injured in an accident, your life can be turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

Although things will likely never be the same after the accident, filing a personal injury claim can help you obtain the compensation you need for medical bills and lost wages.

However, insurance companies make it a habit to reject as many claims as possible to increase their profit. Here are the top three reasons that insurance companies will reject an accident claim, and what to do if your claim has been denied.

1. There Were No Witnesses to the Accident

Many insurance companies will try to deny a claim if there were no witnesses who can say what happened at the time of the accident. They may suggest that your story cannot be corroborated without witness testimony, and that there’s no way to establish the sequence of events and who may be held liable for your injuries.

2. You Had a Preexisting Condition

Another way that an insurance company may try to reject a claim is if the victim of the accident had a preexisting condition in the area of the injury. For example, an insurance company may refuse to pay for physical therapy for a leg injury caused in a car accident if you had preexisting arthritis in that same leg.

Insurance companies may pay independent physicians and supposed experts to review your medical records and may have them testify against you regarding a preexisting condition.

3. You Did Not Seek Out Medical Help Right Away

It can be extremely damaging to your case if you do not seek medical help as soon as possible after an accident of any kind. Many insurance companies will use delayed medical care as a basis to reject an insurance claim, suggesting that failure to get medical help immediately after the accident means that your injuries were not severe.

Contacting an Experienced Insurance Claims Attorney

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident or have been injured and have had your insurance claim denied, there may be more legal options available to you. By speaking with an attorney who has specific experience in working with bad faith insurance cases, you can learn more about the next steps to take.

At the Sarkisian Law Offices, we take pride in being able to assist clients who have been injured against profit-hungry insurance companies who are providing nothing more than excuses in an attempt to deny an insurance claim. By using our unique skills and resources, we will help you bring forward a sound case that cannot be ignored.