When you are injured in an Indianapolis, you might be entitled to compensation if the other driver was responsible for causing the crash. However, you must file an accident claim with the other driver’s insurance provider. Unfortunately, a process that should be straightforward when liability is clear can often be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming.

If the insurance company denies your accident claim, you need to take immediate steps to protect your legal rights. In addition to understanding why the insurance company denied your claim, you need to contact an Indianapolis car accident to discuss your options for pursuing a claim. Instead of being frustrated by a denial of the insurance claim, contact an attorney so that you do not miss a deadline that could prevent you from pursuing an injury claim against the negligent driver who caused the crash.

Four Common Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Claims

1. Your claim is not covered.

In some cases, the other driver’s insurance coverage may not cover your claim. The insurance policy may have limited coverage, or the coverage may have lapsed. You should request a detailed written statement providing the reason for the denial and a copy of the insurance policy referred to so that you can verify that the reason provided by the insurance company is based on a valid insurance contract.

2. You failed to seek medical attention after the accident.

Insurance companies often use delays in medical treatment to deny accident claims. An insurance provider may claim that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or were not caused by the crash because you did not see a doctor immediately after the car crash. However, some injuries have delayed systems.

Because insurance companies like to use delayed medical treatment as a reason for denying claims, we recommend that you see your doctor after a car crash for a complete physical examination if you do not go to the emergency room from the accident scene. A physical examination can help rule out injuries that may not be immediately noticeable.

3. You contributed to the cause of the crash.

Under Indiana’s comparative fault laws, if your actions contributed to the cause of the car accident, your compensation may be reduced. If your contribution equaled more than 50 percent of the cause of the crash, you cannot recover any compensation from the other driver. Insurance companies search for evidence that proves you contributed to the accident as a way to deny your claim or reduce the amount of compensation you receive for your claim.

4. You have a pre-existing injury or medical condition.

Another reason why an insurance company may deny your accident claim is that it blames your current injury on a pre-existing condition. Our Indianapolis car accident attorneys aggressively fight denied claims on this basis because you should not be penalized for being more vulnerable to injuries because of a pre-existing condition when the other driver is at fault for the cause of the crash.

Contact An Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney for More Information

Do not accept a denial of your accident claim by an insurance company as a final decision. The legal professionals of Poynter & Bucheri are here to answer your questions and provide trusted legal advice. Call 1-800-265-9881 or (317) 780-8000 to request your free consultation with an Indianapolis car accident attorney.