A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause overwhelming physical, mental, and financial difficulties. When faced with all these difficulties, the last thing you want to deal with is an insurance company that refuses to pay fair compensation. Unfortunately, fighting the insurance company after a TBI is something that many people face. Instead of receiving fair compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company, the insurance company may make lowball settlement offers or even deny your claim altogether. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in Kansas or Missouri, here is what you need to know about dealing with the insurance company and protecting your rights.
Why Insurance Companies Dispute TBI Claims
When it comes to traumatic brain injuries, insurance companies often go out of their way to try to devalue or deny the claim. Often, the reason for this is financial. More specifically, the at-fault party’s insurance company might push back on your TBI claim because;
- Making profits is their priority: Insurance companies are businesses like any other, meaning making profits is a major concern. Devaluing and denying TBI claims is one of the ways insurance companies can save money and profit.
- TBIs can cause significant damage: The impact of a TBI on a person’s life can be profound. The losses victims suffer can be tremendous, sometimes adding up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. When an insurer is responsible for paying such large amounts to plaintiffs, it might push back on the claim.
- They may genuinely believe you do not deserve the compensation you are seeking: The insurance company might feel it is justified to deny your compensation. It might feel like you are asking for more than you should. In such a case, it is up to you to prove that you deserve the compensation you’re seeking.
How Insurance Companies Dispute TBI Claims
Insurance companies use various strategies and tactics to reduce payouts or deny TBI claims, including the following;
- Disputing the severity of the injury: Arguing that symptoms are exaggerated and do not warrant significant compensation.
- Denying liability: Claiming the policyholder is not to blame for the accident.
- Attributing symptoms to a pre-existing condition: For example, if you have prior migraines, the insurance might try to deny your claim on the grounds that your headaches are unrelated to the accident and instead caused by your pre-existing migraine condition.
- Delay tactics: For example, by asking for unnecessary additional paperwork. This is done in hopes that you will get desperate and settle for less or give up altogether.
- Lowball settlement offers: Offering a quick settlement offer that does not cover all damages, hoping you are desperate enough to accept it.
How to Fight the Insurance Company
Fighting an insurance company after a TBI can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. The best way to protect yourself is to work with an experienced TBI attorney. An attorney with experience handling TBI cases understands the tactics insurance companies use to devalue or deny claims and how to counter them effectively. They can gather strong evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and take your case to court if necessary. If you have suffered a TBI in Kansas or Missouri, contact a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Let Us Help
At Griggs Injury Law, our skilled brain injury counsel knows how insurance companies operate and how to fight back. We have helped countless clients across Kansas and Missouri recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
