Minnesota is a no-fault state for car accidents. This means that your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage generally pays qualifying accident-related medical expenses first, regardless of who caused the crash. However, you may still be able to recover compensation from the at-fault party if your injuries are serious enough.
Even when you have a claim against the at-fault driver, their insurance company may dispute liability, your injuries, or the value of your losses. There are several reasons why they might not be paying your medical bills. Keep reading below to learn more.
Common Reasons the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Is Not Paying
Insurance companies are in business to make money, and protecting their bottom line usually means being very cautious about the claims they pay. There are several reasons why the at-fault party’s insurance might not be paying your medical bills.
Questions of Liability
Before the at-fault party’s insurer agrees to pay a liability claim, you generally must establish that its insured was legally responsible for your injuries. Since most accident claims are based on negligence, this means that you must show that the insured acted negligently and you were injured as a result.
To prove negligence, you need to prove the following elements:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a legal duty to use reasonable caution to avoid hurting you.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party failed to uphold the standard of care required in a particular situation.
- Causation: Your injuries were a direct result of the at-fault party’s behavior.
- Damages: You suffered some physical, emotional, or financial harm.
Proving liability is not always as straightforward as it seems, especially when multiple parties are involved. If the insurer disputes whether its insured was at fault, it may refuse to pay the claim until the issue of liability is resolved.
Questions About the Seriousness of Your Injuries
Another reason the insurance company might decide not to pay your medical bills is that they have doubts about how serious your injuries are. The insurance adjuster will require detailed medical records and other evidence to prove the extent of the damage. Plus, they might even try to argue that your injuries are a result of a pre-existing condition and not the accident.
Your Case Has Substantial Financial Value
This typically happens in cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries. Insurance companies do not like paying large claims, so they will try everything they can to minimize the value of your claim. They might even try to get you to settle your case for far less than it is truly worth.
If the insurance company refuses to make you a fair offer, then you may need to pursue personal injury litigation to get the compensation you are owed.
When You Should Seek Help From an Attorney
Not every insurance claim requires an attorney to resolve. Some claims involving only minor property damage or injuries may be resolved without hiring an attorney. However, there are some situations in which you should seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer.
The insurance company handles legal claims every day, and most accident victims have no idea how the process works. Insurance companies know this and will use it to their advantage.
If your case involves any of the following, you should get legal help right away:
- Questions of liability
- Multiple potential defendants
- Severe injuries
- An insurance company that will not respond or negotiate
Having a lawyer on your side shows the insurance company that you mean business. Your lawyer can use their experience with similar claims to gain a full understanding of your injuries and demand all the compensation you are owed.
Contact the Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
Getting fair compensation from an insurance company can be difficult, especially when liability or the value of your claim is disputed. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can deal with the insurance company and fight for the money you are owed.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and their surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320, St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203, Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198