When you have medical expenses and vehicle repairs to pay for after an accident, you don’t want to hear that your insurance claim has been denied. Unfortunately, this isn’t an uncommon outcome for drivers. That’s why it’s important to know why claims get denied and if you’ll need the help of a Prince George’s County auto accident lawyer.
What Kinds of Insurance Claims Can I Make After an Accident?
When you get hurt in an accident in Maryland, you can make claims with your own insurance company or another driver’s insurer. If you have no-fault coverage, like personal injury protection, that can pay some of your expenses. Otherwise you will probably have to get the bulk of your compensation from another driver’s policy.
Every driver is required to carry liability coverage. This pays out when someone is clearly responsible for the accident and someone else’s damages. So you have to build a case against this other driver and show how they are to blame for what happened to you.
Why Would a Claim Get Denied?
There are many reasons why an insurer might deny a claim. There could be:
- A lack of medical evidence
- Debate over whether you really need certain medical treatments
- Questions about how a pre-existing condition contributed to your injuries
- Debate over who is at fault for the crash
- A lack of necessary coverage
This last situation could be a case where you tried to use an optional type of coverage that you don’t have, like collision or comprehensive.
What Can I Do If a Claim Gets Denied?
First, you want to see why the claim was denied. If there was a simple error or the insurance company just needs some more info from you, that can be easy to fix. Whatever the reason for the denial was, contacting the insurance company should be your first step. You may be able to negotiate with them.
If they won’t budge, it may be time to involve a lawyer. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with an insurer on your behalf and help you file a lawsuit if needed.
What Kinds of Claims Can a Lawyer Help With?
A lawyer can help you with first-party claims, those you make with your own insurance company, and third-party claims, those that are made against another driver’s insurer. Whether you need some help negotiating or you plan to sue for damages, an experienced attorney can back you up and help you make the most compelling possible claim.
Talk to Our Legal Team
If your insurance claim has been denied, we want to help you. Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options. If there’s a way to get the compensation you deserve, we’ll help you find it.
