Top 4 Excuses Insurance Companies Use to Deny Claims

You won’t believe the tactics insurance companies use to deny legitimate claims—until it happens to you. At The Vrdolyak Law Group, we’ve seen it all. When you’re injured in an accident, insurance companies will look for any reason to minimize or deny your claim, regardless of how clear the facts may be. Here are the top four excuses they use—and why they don’t hold up

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Stock image representation of signing insurance forms

1. “The Vehicle in Front Stopped Suddenly”

When their insured driver causes a rear-end collision, one of the most common defenses is to claim that the vehicle in front stopped abruptly. However, Illinois law generally holds that the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is at fault, as they are responsible for maintaining a safe following distance. Sudden stops happen, but defensive driving and proper spacing should prevent accidents.

2. “The Impact Was Too Light to Cause Injury”

Insurance companies often argue that a collision wasn’t severe enough to cause injuries. However, medical research has shown that even low-impact crashes can cause significant injuries, especially to the neck and spine. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries can occur even in accidents with minor visible damage. The key factor is how the body absorbs the force of impact, not just the damage to the vehicle.

3. “Your Injuries Were Preexisting”

Another common tactic is to claim that the injured person had a preexisting condition, meaning their injuries weren’t caused by the accident. While it’s true that many people have preexisting conditions, Illinois law allows for compensation when an accident aggravates or worsens a preexisting injury. Insurance companies often try to exploit this to avoid paying fair compensation.

4. “You Didn’t Seek Immediate Medical Care”

If an injured person doesn’t go to the hospital or seek medical attention immediately, insurance companies argue that the injury must not have been serious. However, many injuries—such as whiplash, internal injuries, and concussions—don’t show symptoms right away. Delayed symptoms do not mean an injury is any less real or serious. Seeking medical care as soon as symptoms appear is critical to both your health and your claim.

How We Fight Back

At The Vrdolyak Law Group, we’ve successfully represented tens of thousands of injury victims over the past 60 years. Our experience allows us to debunk these common excuses and fight for every dollar our clients deserve.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t let the insurance company deny you the compensation you’re entitled to. Contact The Vrdolyak Law Group today for a free consultation.