Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can help if your car accident claim has been denied in Norman. Going through a car accident is hard enough without having to deal with an insurance company questioning what happened or denying your claim outright. But when and if that happens to you, our Norman car accident lawyers will be there to help you through it. Set up a free consultation today.
Why Would an Insurance Company Deny My Car Accident Claim?
You’ve already been through a car accident, gone to the hospital, and taken your car to a bodyshop for repairs. You expect insurance to be there when you need it. But unfortunately, that’s not how it always works. When you file a claim with a car insurance company, they can deny it for a variety of reasons. Usually, they say:
- There isn’t enough evidence. This is usually one of the first things they bring up. The adjuster might say the pictures don’t clearly show what happened, the statements don’t match, or there’s just not enough to prove who was at fault.
- You were partly at fault. Insurance companies will often look for ways to put some of the blame back on you. They might point to your speed, where you were driving, whether you were distracted, or anything else they think could have contributed to the accident.
- Your injuries were pre-existing. Once you start treating for your injuries, the insurance company may look through your medical records for previous injuries or other medical history they can use to argue that the accident didn’t actually cause your current problems.
- There’s an issue with the policy. Sometimes they’ll point to a coverage issue or some technical language in the policy as the reason they aren’t going to pay.
No matter what reason the insurance company gives you, it’s important to remember that a denial isn’t necessarily the end of your claim. The insurance company may have plenty of resources behind it, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.
What Can I Do If My Claim Gets Denied?
It doesn’t feel like it at first, but a denied claim can actually tell you something useful. You now have a better idea of what the insurance company is looking at and why they’re saying no. And once you have that, you have a better roadmap of what you need to move forward, like:
- Pictures and videos, especially showing how your injuries have progressed
- Medical records showing your treatment and how it connects back to the accident
- Statements from witnesses or bystanders
- The police report
- Information from accident reconstructionists or other experts when necessary
Again, none of these things automatically guarantees that the insurance company will change its mind. But they can help you push back and show why the denial doesn’t tell the whole story. From there, you can do two things:
- Make a counteroffer. You don’t necessarily have to accept the denial and walk away. Depending on why the claim was denied, you may be able to provide additional evidence and push back on the insurance company’s decision. It essentially gives everyone another chance to look at what happened.
- File a lawsuit. Sometimes, the best option is to take the decision-making power out of the insurance company’s hands. That’s what filing a lawsuit can do. It takes more time and effort, but it can also give you the opportunity to pursue damages for things like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Repair or replacement costs for your car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
There’s no one answer that works for every denied claim. It really comes down to why the insurance company denied you, what evidence is available, and what you’ve lost because of the accident. The good news is that you don’t have to figure all of that out by yourself.
Ylla Gosney Can Help After Your Car Accident Claim Is Denied in Norman
A car accident doesn’t stop affecting you just because the insurance company says no. You’re still dealing with your injuries. The medical bills are still coming in. You may still be missing work, and your car may still need repairs. Now you’re also expected to fight with an insurance company on top of everything else.
That’s where our Norman car accident lawyers at Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can help. When you turn to us, we’ll:
- Look at what’s missing and figure out what we can do to strengthen your claim.
- Get your medical records, accident reports, pictures, lost wages together and tell a clear story about what happened and how the accident is impacting your life.
- Handle the back-and-forth with the insurance company so you don’t have to.
- Fight for a fair resolution, whether that’s through a counteroffer or going to court.
If your car accident claim has been denied in Norman, reach out today for a free consultation.