Accidents are unfortunate events that can devastate victims’ lives forever. After an accident, victims find it extremely overwhelming to face the situation. An injured body, traumatized mind, property damage, medical treatment, and fear of economic crisis make the aftermath terrible. It’s indeed challenging to deal with insurance companies.
No matter the consequences, after an accident, victims must follow certain steps to ensure they can claim compensation from the insurer with enough evidence and documentation. One mistake from the victim’s end can hamper the entire claim process, affecting the settlement amount.
After being involved in an accident caused by someone else’s fault, the victim must first move to a safe place away from the accident scene. After this, the victim needs to report the accident to the police, seek immediate medical attention, collect as much evidence as possible at that stage, and inform the insurance company about the mishap.
Last but not least, after an accident, you must speak with an expert personal injury attorney Winter Park to go through the complex legal maze with knowledge and confidence. Don’t fall into the insurance adjuster’s trap. Talk to our personal injury attorney Winter Haven at People for Law for efficient legal assistance before you accept the settlement offer.
Why Insurance Companies Rush
Adjusters operate in accordance with their plan and must act as soon as possible. Under Florida Statute §627.736, PIP insurance covers the first $10,000 of medical expenses incurred and lost wages, regardless of whether or not the insured was at fault. The fact that $10,000 is much higher than the true value of bodily injury is not immediately clear because, at this time, the insurance company makes its offer. Many injuries like soft tissue injuries or nerve injuries do not show any signs of discomfort until a few days or weeks after a car accident. The offers made at this time are based on estimates rather than on the injured person’s medical condition.
What Happens When You Sign
When you sign a release form, it implies that the matter is resolved forever under Florida Law. The victim’s consent to the settlement usually gives up their right to seek further compensation after the accident, even if new ailments arise or further diagnosis is confirmed at a later date. Insurance companies rely on claimants to sign the release before the full extent of the injury is properly understood. There is no undoing of the situation once you sign the release and you receive the money. The time and opportunity the victim has left is before signing.
What a Florida Lawyer Reviews before You Accept
- If the offer assesses upcoming medical treatment in addition to already settled medical bills
- Wages lost and the impact of the injury on future earning potential
- Suffering and pain that insurers fail to account for properly
- The effect of Florida’s modified comparative negligence laws (Fla. Stat. §768.81, amended in 2023) on settlement compensation. If fault in the accident exceeds 50%, the injured parties lose their right to sue, and insurers rely on this reason to pay lesser amounts in their first offer
Whether the Florida Statute of Limitations still works for you, the law gives you only two years since the date of the accident instead of the previous four years.
How Do the Calculations Yourself First?
It is important to know where your numbers should land before accepting any offer. Personal injury claim calculator Florida works the same way: they take data on your medical expenses, lost wages, the seriousness of your injuries, and your liability percentage in the accident to provide an estimated range for your compensation. It’s not a substitute for legal counsel but gives you an idea of where your situation stands. If the figure you have received is well below the expected range, find a second opinion from a professional.
When You May Not Need A Lawyer
Not all claims need lawyers to represent them in court. If the injuries were minor, you have healed properly, there are no liabilities, and the settlement offer covers all expenses, handling everything yourself may be the best option. However, this is rare. Most accidents involve at least one uncertain detail that requires expert supervision.