If you are injured in an accident that is not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting damages (economic and non-economic). To pursue these damages, you need to file a personal injury lawsuit as outlined in Ohio negligence law.
However, not all claims get paid. If your claim is denied, you might want to understand why this happened. Here are the top reasons why personal injury claims are denied.
Failure to report the injury
If you are involved in a car wreck, it is in your best interest to report the accident, even if the other motorist does not think you should. In fact, Ohio law requires that you report any accident that results in a fatality, property damage that is in excess of $1,000 or injuries that require medical attention. The insurance company will make a big deal about your failure to report the accident and can successfully use this to dispute your claim.
Failure to seek treatment
This is straightforward. If you are involved in an accident, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel hurt, make the effort to see one. Some injuries may not show immediately following the accident. If these injuries are not diagnosed and treated in time, they may escalate into more serious complications. In delaying your hospital visit, the defendant and their insurance company might argue that the injuries for which you are seeking compensation had nothing to do with the accident. And if they have their way, you may lose your claim.
There are a variety of reasons why personal injury claims get denied by the court. Knowing these reasons can help you avoid pitfalls that might cost you the compensation that you are rightfully entitled to.
