Four Reasons an Insurance Company May Deny Your Alaska Auto Crash Claim

Four Reasons an Insurance Company May Deny Your Alaska Auto Crash Claim

If you were hurt in an Alaska motor vehicle crash, you probably know that you will need to file a claim with an insurance company to recover your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. The process may seem simple, but you are bound to encounter pitfalls along the way. Insurers are reluctant to pay these amounts because claims affect their bottom line. They train their employees to seek out weaknesses in your claim, so they have seemingly valid reasons to deny payment.

Alaska car accident lawyers know the tactics insurance companies use, and they are experienced in overcoming these challenges. Attorneys know exactly how to respond if the insurer rejects your claim on the grounds that:

 

You Waited Too Long to File Your Claim:

Alaska’s statute of limitations is two years, but it only applies to the lawsuit you may eventually file to seek monetary damages for your losses. Insurance companies have their own rules on claims. If you delay filing the essential forms – or do not follow up with requests for additional information – the claims adjuster may deny payment. Your claim could be rejected on the grounds that some other intervening event was the cause of your injuries.

 

You Delayed Getting Medical Care:

Another critical issue could arise if you do not seek medical treatment right away after a car accident. By waiting too long, you are telling the insurance company that your injuries are not that serious – otherwise you would have gone to the emergency room, urgent care center, or your own doctor as soon as possible. As a rule of thumb, you should seek treatment the same day or at least within 72 hours after the crash.

 

You Failed to Prove the Other Driver Was Negligent:

Your word alone is not enough to convince an insurance company that its policyholder caused the accident. To avoid having your claim denied, you will need such evidence as:

• Photos of your vehicle, your injuries, and the scene of the crash;
• Statements from witnesses;
• The police report from officers who responded to the accident call; and,
• Any other information that shows the other driver’s negligence.

 

You Admitted Fault:

You are sure to receive a denial if you made any statements in which you accepted blame, whether you said something to the other motorist at the scene or directly to the insurance adjuster. Never admit fault or mention that you may have contributed to causing the collision.

 

Count on an Alaska Car Accident Attorney to Deal with Insurance Claims 

These are just a few of the reasons an insurance company may try to get out of paying a rightful claim, but there are many other tricks. However, adjusters know they will not succeed when you have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side. For more information on your rights in a vehicle crash, please contact Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska. We can set up a free case evaluation and get started on the claims process right away.