An auto accident can leave you with life-altering injuries. While some of these accidents are inevitable, most are preventable. If you are hurt in a car accident that is attributable to another party or entity’s unlawful actions, you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your medical costs and other damages.
However, it is not uncommon for a personal injury claim to be denied by the insurance company. If this happens, you might have questions and wonder what you should do next. Here are two reasons why your personal injury claim may be denied.
Failing to file your claim in time
Every state has a limit on the maximum time frame within which car accident victims must file personal injury claims against the responsible parties. This is known as the statute of limitations. The rationale for having a statute of limitations in place is to ensure that the facts surrounding the lawsuit do not become stale. A statute of limitations is also meant to prevent the plaintiff from filing a claim for the sake of tormenting the defendant. In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years. You risk having your claim denied if you fail to file your claim within this time frame.
Dishonesty
Your personal injury claim anchors on your credibility. Any attempt to exaggerate or lie about your injuries can horribly hurt your claim, and consequently, the compensation you are entitled to. Remember, the insurance companies care about their bottom line. As such, they will access your medical records, spy on you and even hire private investigators to establish the authenticity of your injuries. Lying about your injuries will most certainly be detrimental to your claim. Be honest about your injuries. And if you have underlying conditions, do not try to tie them to the accident.
A personal injury claim can help you take care of the medical costs and other damages like lost income following a car accident. Understanding your rights and obligations can help you avoid pitfalls that can jeopardize your claim.