After suffering injuries in an accident, you may have filed a claim to receive compensation from the pertinent insurance companies. You may have noticed weeks and even months passing by without an answer or with communications that seem to continue delaying the process. In some instances, you may even get a notice telling you that your claim has been denied. What now? Insurance delays and denials can be devastating when you’re dealing with medical expenses and other losses, but there are steps you can take to help your claim.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our team of Texas personal injury attorneys offers assistance if your claim seems to be stalled by insurance companies.
Let our experienced lawyers help you. Call now for a free consultation at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.
Claim Delays and Denials
Why These Problems May Arise
When beginning a personal injury claim, it’s vital to understand that insurance companies are not on your side. These are businesses that are worried about their profit margin, so they’ll do everything possible to minimize your claim and, if they can, keep from paying you anything at all. To accomplish this goal, they’ll look very closely at everything you present with your claim.
A common issue that could cause your claim to be delayed or denied is insufficient evidence. You may think that you’ve submitted plenty of documents that show how you suffered your injury and who is liable, but insurance companies may want even more.
The insurance companies can also dispute liability. That’s a very common tactic insurers rely on to deny claims. Most personal injury cases revolve around proving negligence, so if there’s any doubt, the company will deny liability.
Another common problem is pre-existing conditions. If the insurer sees that you had a health issue before the accident that could have resulted in your injuries, they’re very likely to delay or deny your claim.
Our firm has helped countless Texas injury victims receive compensation. Recently, we helped a motorcyclist recover $1.21 million dollars after being struck by a van.
Strategies for Dealing With Insurance Delays and Denials
Delays and denials can be frustrating when you need assistance to cover lost wages and medical expenses. There are some strategies to keep in mind that can help you get the results you need.
Know Your State’s Insurance Laws
To deal with insurance delays, Texas attorneys recommend looking closely at the insurance laws regarding payment timelines. In Texas, insurance companies must abide by the timelines set forth by the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, but delays may still occur. If you don’t know what the state laws are, you may not ever realize you can take legal action against the insurers.
Contact Your Insurance Adjuster for an Update
If you notice that your claim is taking a long time to be addressed, let alone resolved, it’s time to speak with your insurance adjuster. The delay could just be an issue with missing paperwork that the company is using as an excuse to delay the process. In other instances, they may be waiting for third-party information, like a police report or witness testimonies. Whatever the issue is, it’s essential to know as quickly as possible so that you can resolve it and allow the claim to move forward.
Request a Written Explanation for the Delay
If the delays continue, contact your insurance adjuster again and request a written communication stating the reason why the process is taking so long. If your insurer is acting in bad faith or otherwise delaying your claim without cause, you’ll have it all in writing. This is a good way to put pressure on the insurer. They may be prompted to act more rapidly because they’ll have to justify their actions if they continue to hold off on making a decision.
Review Denial Letters Carefully
If your claim was denied, take the time to carefully assess the letter stating why the insurance company chose that option. Knowing what the reason is can help you take the necessary next steps to address the problem. Make sure to review your policy details as well. You need to have as much information as possible when tackling denied claims.
File a Complaint With the Texas Insurance Commissioner
If the problems persist and you’re facing delays or denials without explanation or reason, then it may be time to file a complaint with the Texas Insurance Commissioner. The Insurance Commissioner oversees insurance companies in Texas to ensure they comply with all regulations. The Insurance Commissioner’s intervention can be the push the insurer needs to move forward with your case.
Know When to Contact an Attorney
If you filed your claim on your own, you may be considering pursuing an appeal or dealing with delays alone. That’s not usually a good option. If the claim has been denied, then you will need to clearly understand what evidence you can present to make it a stronger case, and that requires experienced assistance.
It’s important to reach out to attorneys if the claim involves multiple parties or if it’s in any other way complex. If there is doubt about liability because of the many people involved, your attorney can help present the case in a clear manner with the best possible evidence.
Insurance companies can act in bad faith. Bad faith refers to dishonest and unfair practices, like paying you less than the claim is worth, unreasonably delaying or denying the claim, or even sending you constant unnecessary document requests. If they don’t communicate in a timely manner, that, too, can be seen as acting in bad faith. If you suspect your insurer of this, a lawyer can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
In some instances, your claim may be denied because of misunderstandings as a result of a lack of clarity in contracts. There may be technicalities that insurers may be focused on that you won’t have the experience to dispute. Your lawyer can be invaluable in these instances.
Handling Insurance Delays or Denials With Help From Attorneys
Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law
After an accident that resulted in injuries, the last thing you should have to worry about is insurance companies delaying or denying claims over technicalities or acting in bad faith so that you can’t recover the losses you sustained. You may be running out of patience and struggling with serious financial issues. It’s time to contact experienced personal injury lawyers to address these issues and give yourself a chance to receive fair compensation.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our team of Texas personal injury attorneys brings decades of experience to the table. We have successfully resolved thousands of claims and have navigated the challenges of communicating and negotiating with uncooperative insurance companies. We understand how frustrating all of this can be, and we’ll do everything possible to get a resolution for you. We are well-versed in appealing claim denials so that you can get the comprehensive assistance you deserve.
Don’t wait another moment if your claim has come to a screeching halt.
Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
