When you get hurt in a car accident, you expect to make your insurance claim and get reimbursed for your medical bills and other expenses. What happens if your claim gets denied though? Are you stuck paying for your expenses out of pocket? Not necessarily. Our Westchester County car accident attorneys can help you explore all of your options.
Can My Claim With My Own Insurer Get Denied?
Even though New York is a no-fault state, your claim with your own insurer, also known as a first-party claim, can get denied. When you try to use your personal injury protection coverage after an accident, you might find that your insurer disagrees with you about how necessary it is to use your coverage. You could also be denied if you try to pay for damage to your vehicle with comprehensive or collision coverage.
Why Are Claims Usually Denied?
There are a few reasons why your first-party insurance claim could get denied. Your insurer could say that:
- There isn’t enough evidence that you need medical treatment
- A pre-existing condition contributed significantly to your claim
- The claim was made too late
- The treatment being requested is not related to the accident
- You don’t have the type of coverage you’re trying to use
The last situation can come up if someone tries to use an optional type of car insurance coverage that they do not have, like if they try to use collision coverage to repair a vehicle but they do not actually carry collision coverage on their policy.
When Can I Make a Claim With Another Driver’s Insurance?
If you are seriously injured and your own coverage cannot help with all of your expenses, that’s when you make a claim with another driver’s insurer. This third-party claim can be denied for a variety of reasons too. An insurer can:
- Dispute liability and fault for the accident
- Accuse you of fraud
- Claim that you do not have enough evidence
Can a Lawyer Help With Denied Claims?
When your claim is denied, you should first look at the reason for the denial. Then you can reach out to the insurance company and try to clear up any confusion or offer more evidence. If this does not work, you may want to get a lawyer involved.
A lawyer can help you negotiate with an insurer. If they still don’t budge, then your lawyer can help you sue for damages. Someone from our firm is ready to help you build a convincing case for compensation.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
So if you are struggling to deal with the insurance companies on your own, we want to help. Contact Hausman & Pendzick to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you claim the compensation you’re looking for.