At-fault driver ghosting his own insurance and now my claim got denied — is this even legal?

This happened to me almost exactly. The other driver cooperated just enough with his insurer to cause delays, then went silent. My claim got denied too. What finally moved things was filing through my own uninsured/underinsured coverage — I know it sounds counterintuitive but my rates didn't actually go up because I wasn't at fault. My insurer then went after his insurer directly. Definitely worth asking your agent if you have UM/UIM coverage.

This is a known tactic. Some insurers quietly "encourage" their policyholders not to cooperate so they have cover to deny claims. They get to say "we tried" while protecting their bottom line. Don't let them frame this as your problem to solve — you have a police report showing fault. That's their policyholder's mess, not yours.

A few things worth knowing: first, some states have laws that limit how insurers can use non-cooperation as a full denial defense against innocent third parties. Second, you can file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance — it doesn't cost anything and it sometimes shakes things loose faster than you'd expect. Third, if you haven't already, send a formal demand letter (certified mail) to the at-fault driver personally. It creates a record and opens the door to small claims or civil court if needed.

Not legal advice, but situations like this are exactly why personal injury attorneys exist. A lot of them do free consultations and work on contingency, so there's no upfront cost. With a clear police report, witness statements, and documented injuries and losses, you're not spinning your wheels — you actually have a real case. The denial letter alone doesn't close the door. Worth at least one consultation to understand your options before you assume it's over.

Please don't let the insurance chaos make you skip or delay your PT. I see patients do that all the time when they're stressed about money and claims — and neck injuries that aren't fully rehabbed have a way of becoming chronic problems years later. Keep going, keep all your appointment records, and make sure every provider documents how the accident caused your symptoms. That documentation protects you medically AND legally.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. You did everything right — called the police, got the report, filed promptly — and you're still getting punished for someone else's carelessness. That's genuinely awful. Please don't give up. From what I've seen friends go through, the people who push back actually do get somewhere eventually.