When you’ve been injured in a car accident in Florida, you naturally want to move on as quickly as possible. If you don’t think you’re hurt “that bad,” you may try to play off your injuries and believe you can handle negotiating a settlement with your insurance company on your own. You may also think hiring a lawyer in a no-fault state is unnecessary, as you must make claims through your own insurance first. However, are you ready to go up against some of the biggest corporations in the world on your own to negotiate your settlement? When you hire an attorney to represent your case, you have someone on your side advocating for what you should receive in compensation for your injuries instead of fighting your insurance company for a payout. Learn more about the many benefits of hiring a car accident attorney in Ocala, FL, to represent you after your accident below:
Determine All Eligible Damages
When you get into an accident in a no-fault state like Florida, you receive compensation for a portion of your medical bills and lost wages through your required Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP has many limitations and only covers 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages up to $10,000. PIP also doesn’t cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering or loss of earning capacity. You’ll need to work with your attorney to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance to get compensation for the rest of your expenses outside of your PIP coverage. Your car accident attorney in Ocala, FL, will explore all available avenues to ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries, even if the at-fault driver was uninsured, underinsured, or involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Handle Communication
When recovering after an accident, you spend a lot of time at doctors’ appointments, receiving medical treatments, and resting. Add that to your already busy lifestyle before the accident; the thought of dealing with more phone calls and paperwork can feel like a full-time job. When you hire an attorney to represent your case, you don’t have to field calls from insurance companies and doctor’s offices. Your attorney will handle this communication for you so you can focus on recovering from your accident. Your lawyer will also ensure the proper paperwork is filed at the correct deadlines for your case to move forward.
Avoid Insurance Company Tricks & Tactics
Insurance companies are in the business of avoiding paying out claims, even if you’ve been a loyal customer for years. Insurance companies employ various methods to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve after your injuries. As experienced car accident attorneys in Ocala, FL, we know the tricks and tactics Florida’s largest insurers use to get out of paying out claims, and we look through these methods to ensure you get compensated for your accident-related expenses. Insurance companies are notorious for using techniques such as these to avoid paying out your claims:
Lowball Offers
Insurance companies want to settle quickly and for the least possible amount. One tactic insurance companies will use is giving you a lowball offer immediately after the accident to pressure you into settling. This is often done just a few days after the accident when it’s impossible to know the full extent of your injuries. This offer is usually only a fraction of what you’re entitled to. When you hire an experienced car accident attorney, we’ll recognize these lowball offers and counter them with a reasonable settlement offer.
Using Statements Against You
Even simply answering “How are you feeling today?” can have lasting implications. Insurance companies look for inconsistencies and use them against you later, so you should always be cautious with the information you tell your insurance company. These companies often pressure you to make a recorded statement immediately after the accident, frequently before you’ve had time to process the events that just took place. While you may be required to make a recorded statement detailing the incidents that led up to the accident, you don’t need to give it immediately or feel pressured. Your lawyer will help you prepare for these statements and ensure you don’t say anything that will negatively affect your case later.
Delaying Payouts
Another way insurance companies delay claims is by requesting detailed documents over and over again to delay the process. They may also delay returning emails and phone calls just to elongate the process of handling your claim. When you work with a car accident attorney, we’ll fight to ensure swift and reasonable timeframes for you to get your settlement.
Disputing Medical Treatments
Insurance companies may try to downplay the extent of your injuries and symptoms. They’ll say your injuries aren’t “serious” enough to warrant the claim or that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident because you had a pre-existing condition. Your lawyer can help you accurately respond to these claims in a way that shows the true extent of your injuries and the reasonable compensation for them.
Negotiate Higher Settlements
Hiring a personal injury lawyer dramatically increases your likelihood of receiving compensation and the amount you ultimately get. Accident victims who use a lawyer are nearly twice as likely to receive a payout than if they handled the claim on their own. In addition, victims represented by an attorney receive four times as much in a settlement than those who don’t use a lawyer. Car accident attorneys are experienced negotiators with the knowledge and expertise to take on multi-billion dollar corporations, so you’re fairly compensated for your injuries.
Settle Disputes with Your Insurance Company
Insurance companies are in the business of maximizing their profits, not your recovery. Many think that their own insurance companies are their “friends” or “on their side.” Sometimes, however, the most challenging part of receiving a settlement is navigating the complexities of filing a claim with your own insurance company. Even if you’ve been a loyal customer for years, insurance companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying out a claim. Your attorney can represent you and ensure your insurance owns up to what you deserve based on your coverage.
Let an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Ocala, FL, Handle Your Case
When you hire our team at the King Law Firm, you don’t pay us anything unless we get a settlement for you. This allows you to have an experienced car accident attorney in Ocala, FL, represent your case without the upfront costs of hiring a lawyer. It’s another benefit of hiring an attorney after a car accident in Florida. You have nothing to lose! Ready to see what your case may be worth? Call the law office of the King Law Firm at 352-629-8747 to discuss your case or schedule a consultation online.
