Having your car accident claim delayed or outright denied by an insurance company can feel overwhelming and frustrating. Insurance companies use various tactics to avoid paying claims or drag out the process, hoping you will either give up or accept less than you deserve out of financial desperation. When you are facing a denial or unreasonable delay, you need a Kansas City car accident attorney on your side who can hold insurers accountable and fight for your rights.
Common Reasons Insurance Companies Delay or Deny Claims
After a car accident, you expect the insurance claims process to be straightforward: you file your claim, provide documentation, and receive fair compensation for your damages. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works. Insurance companies are businesses, and they often look for reasons to minimize payouts or avoid them entirely.
Insurance companies frequently delay or deny legitimate claims by:
- Claiming you caused or contributed to the accident
- Arguing that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident
- Citing obscure policy exclusions to claim certain damages aren’t covered
- Offering unreasonably low settlements to pressure you into accepting less
- Alleging that your injuries were pre-existing conditions unrelated to the crash
- Disputing the necessity or reasonableness of your medical treatment
- Questioning whether you filed your claim within policy deadlines
Your Rights When Facing a Delayed or Denied Claim
You have legal rights when an insurance company unreasonably delays or denies your claim. Missouri and Kansas law requires insurers to investigate claims promptly, communicate decisions clearly, and pay valid claims within reasonable timeframes. You are entitled to a thorough explanation for any denial, and you can challenge decisions you believe are unfair.
A Kansas City car accident attorney can make all the difference during the insurance process. Your lawyer will review every detail of your claim and the insurer’s denial, identifying flaws in their reasoning. They will gather the medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions needed to build a stronger case.
Instead of dealing with aggressive insurance adjusters yourself, your attorney handles all negotiations, preventing you from saying anything that could weaken your position. Most importantly, your lawyer specialized in Kansas City injury claims knows how to apply pressure on insurance companies and escalate matters when they refuse to act reasonably.
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Bad Faith Insurance Practices and Legal Remedies
Sometimes, insurance companies go beyond simply denying claims—they engage in bad faith practices that violate their legal duty to treat policyholders fairly. Bad faith happens when an insurer deliberately misrepresents policy terms, ignores clear evidence supporting your claim, fails to conduct a proper investigation, or uses deceptive tactics to avoid paying what they owe. When you can prove bad faith, you can pursue compensation for your original claim amount as well as emotional distress, financial hardships caused by the delay, and even attorney fees.
Fight Back Against Delayed or Denied Claims Today
When your legitimate claim gets delayed or denied outright, you have the right to fight back. At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, we have successfully challenged claim denials and demanded insurance companies to honor their obligations. We will examine the basis for the denial, gather additional evidence to counter their arguments, and pursue bad faith claims when insurers act unreasonably. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 to discuss your car accident claim and learn how we can get you the compensation you are owed.