Seeking just compensation after a car accident typically involves filing an insurance claim. However, the process is rarely as straightforward as it sounds. Filing an insurance claim after a car accident can be extremely challenging, and most accident victims will struggle to recover the financial compensation they deserve. Learn some important tips for dealing with the insurance companies from an experienced Florida car accident lawyer at Searcy Denney.

If you have been injured in a car accident, seeking compensation for your repair bills, medical bills, and other financial and non-financial losses will almost certainly involve filing an insurance claim. While liability insurance isn’t mandatory in Florida, many drivers opt to buy coverage, and all types of businesses buy coverage that protects them in the event that their drivers cause accidents on the job.

5 Important Tips for Dealing with the Insurance Companies After a Car Accident

Filing an insurance claim after a car accident is a complex process. If you are not prepared to protect yourself, you could easily end up without the compensation you deserve. With this in mind, here are five important tips for protecting yourself as you move forward:

Tip #1: You Should Prioritize Your Insurance Claim

If you search online for information about how long you have to file an insurance claim after a car accident, you will likely see that you have up to two years to file a claim under Florida’s statute of limitations. While this is true (in most cases), it ignores the fact that there are several important reasons to get started on your claim as soon as possible.  

Not only will prioritizing your insurance claim help ensure that the process is as efficient as possible, but it will also help maximize your chances of success. If you wait any longer than necessary to collect the evidence you need or seek treatment for your injuries, this could compromise your ability to seek just compensation.

Tip #2: You Should Not Rely on the Insurance Companies’ Advice

As a car accident victim, it is important not to rely on the insurance companies’ advice. Simply put, they do not have your best interests in mind. The insurance companies look out for themselves; and, if they can convince car accident victims to settle for less than they deserve (or to walk away from their claims), they will not hesitate to do so.

Tip #3: You Should Start Keeping Track of Your Accident-Related Losses

Car accidents can lead to significant financial and non-financial losses. As your losses accumulate, it will become harder to keep track of them over time. By creating a system for keeping track of your losses now, you can help ensure that you do not overlook any of your losses later in the insurance claim process.  

Tip #4: You Will Need to Find Out if Your Injury Qualifies as “Significant” or “Permanent”

Under Florida’s “no fault” insurance law, car accident victims are generally limited to seeking compensation under their personal injury protection (PIP) policies unless they can prove that they suffered a “significant” or “permanent” injury. Since PIP coverage is extremely limited, it will be important to make sure you know whether you are entitled to seek fault-based insurance coverage outside of PIP.

Tip #5: You Should Not Settle Until You Know the Long-Term Costs of the Accident

The costs of a serious car accident can be far greater than most people realize. If you are coping with serious injuries, you could be facing long-term (if not lifelong) medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses. If you settle before you know the long-term costs of your accident, you will almost certainly be leaving money on the table.

FAQs: Filing an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident in Florida

How do I know if I have an insurance claim after a car accident?

In Florida, all policyholders are entitled to file a PIP claim under their auto insurance policy when they get injured in an accident (with only very limited exceptions). However, whether you have a claim outside of PIP depends on: (i) whether someone else was at fault in the accident; and, (ii) whether any of your injuries qualify as “significant” or “permanent” under Florida law.

Can I trust the insurance companies to pay what they owe?

If you have an insurance claim after a car accident, you should not rely on the insurance companies to calculate your losses for you. They do not have your best interests in mind; and, unless you have provided them with comprehensive documentation, they do not know the extent of the losses you are entitled to recover.

Should I hire a lawyer to help with my insurance claim after a car accident?

Due to the complexity of the insurance claims process, we strongly recommend hiring a lawyer to help with your claim after a car accident in Florida. From determining if you are entitled to coverage outside of PIP to negotiating on your behalf, there are several important ways an experienced Florida car accident lawyer can help.

How a Florida Car Accident Lawyer at Searcy Denney Can Help

Let’s say you hire a Florida car accident lawyer at Searcy Denney to represent you. What can you expect from your legal representation? As your law firm, we will:

  • Conduct a comprehensive investigation and case assessment to determine what insurance claim(s) you are eligible to file;
  • Work with your doctors and other experts to carefully calculate the financial and non-financial damages you are entitled to recover;
  • Make sure you have a clear understanding of your legal rights and the mistakes you need to avoid in order to protect them;
  • Use the available evidence to establish liability and then negotiate for a favorable settlement on your behalf; and,
  • If necessary, take the insurance companies to court to fight for the full financial compensation you deserve.

Do You Have an Insurance Claim? Find Out in a Free, No-Obligation Consultation

Do you have an insurance claim after a car accident in Florida? To learn about your legal rights for free, contact us today. Call 800-780-8607 or contact us online now to schedule a confidential initial consultation at Searcy Denney.

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