If you have been injured in an accident in Florida, you are probably dealing with a lot of pain and going to multiple doctor’s appointments. You may have missed time off of work and you may even have had to hire people to do the things you normally do for yourself, such as house cleaning and taking care of children. You are undoubtedly wondering how you are going to pay for all of these extra expenses.
Insurance in Florida
Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to insurance. This means that a driver’s own insurance company pays for their medical bills and repairs to their car, no matter who caused an accident. Insurance companies want to keep their money in house and will do what they can to pay you less than you deserve.
When you initially call the company to file a claim, a representative will take some basic information about your accident and have an insurance assessor call you back. You will be asked to send in copies of your bills and any other documentation associated with the accident. The assessor has 14 days to call you. When they contact you, they will question you about the details of the accident and ask to make a recording of the call. You are under no obligation to let them record you. The company will then make you an offer, if you don’t have an injury lawyer
yet, you will want to contact one before accepting any offers.
Why You Need an Attorney
Only 13 states have a no-fault rule. Insurance companies do not care for the rule, because they have to pay every time one of their clients has an accident. Any insurance company has millions of dollars and employs departments full of top attorneys whose job it is to keep you from getting your money. It is unlikely that you are well versed enough in personal injury law to negotiate with a company that is so well prepared.
You need to find an attorney with a keen understanding of Florida personal injury law. They should have years of experience in personal injury law and know just how to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. The attorney you choose should have an excellent reputation with the Florida Bar Association as well as a solid number of good reviews on the internet.
A good attorney can get you money, not only for your injuries but for pain and suffering as well. Even though Florida is a no-fault state, there are some exceptions to the rule. If you have permanent injuries, bone fractures or have suffered disfigurement, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Your attorney will be able to advise you of a realistic plan for your case when you come in for your initial visit.
If you are in New England, I recommend personal injury – Boston. They’ve got excellent service and return your calls promptly.
Whenever you have an accident, you should always talk to a lawyer. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and only charge you a percentage of what they are able to recover.
Having an accident is time consuming, painful and aggravating. The right representation can make everything easier.
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