Many of us are well aware of the fact that accidents happen every day. At times, it can seem as if a serious accident will never affect you.
Until it does. In literally a matter of seconds, an accident can happen, an injury can occur, and someone’s life can change forever. While it may not be yours today, the truth is that we don’t know what tomorrow holds. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, we want you to know what to do in order to ensure you receive the compensation that you will need to heal.
Most injury victims are new to the whole personal injury claims process. Even if they have already been through it before, every accident and each personal injury case will vary greatly.
If you’re involved in an accident in the Sunshine State, you will most likely be filing a personal injury claim in order to get compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our tenacious personal injury attorneys are here to help guide you through the claims process every step of the way.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Following your accident, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as you can. Your personal injury case will involve proving that your injuries were sustained in the accident. Getting a medical diagnosis is a key part of your evidence. The doctor evaluating you will be able to assess your injuries, document how they occurred, and formulate a treatment plan for you to follow.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Florida follows a no-fault insurance system. This means that your own insurance company will cover your medical bills and related expenses, regardless of who is determined to be at fault. Once you have received proper medical attention, you should file a claim with your insurance company as soon as you can.
Hire an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Attorney
You will be working with your own insurance company on your claim and will want to provide them with adequate information. However, remember that the insurance company is still a business. The insurance adjuster evaluating your case does so every day and will be looking out for the best interests of their company.
An experienced personal injury attorney also evaluates claims on a daily basis. The difference is that an attorney will be looking out for your best interests. They will ensure that you give the insurance company the information they need, but refrain from doing or saying anything that could potentially hurt your case.
Gather Your Own Records
Once you file your personal injury claim, the insurance company handling your claim will launch a very detailed investigation into what happened and who is at fault for the accident. Don’t just rely on their version of events when determining compensation. You and your personal injury attorney should also gather evidence for the case, including:
Police records
Witness statement
Photos and videos of the accident
Medical records
The insurance company may try to turn the evidence in their own favor. Once you gather all your records, your attorney will be able to compare the evidence from each party and determine if there’s any discretion between the two.
Should You Settle?
A settlement is when a plaintiff (the injured party) agrees to accept a set amount of compensation from the defendant (in this case, the insurance company). Several factors are considered when determining compensation amounts, including:
The severity of your injuries
Past and future lost wages
Your degree of fault in the accident
The type of insurance you and the other party had
The amount of evidence provided
Your attorney’s ability to argue your case
While it’s true that a majority of personal injury cases settle, the reality is that insurance companies won’t always offer injury victims the full compensation they deserve.
Your personal injury attorney will be able to look at the evidence of your case and determine if you deserve a higher settlement offer. If the insurance company is not willing to offer you more, your attorney should be willing to go to court to fight for your rights.
Our personal injury attorneys have made a name for ourselves in the legal community. Backed by more than 25 years of combined experience and a track record of success, we have shown that we are not afraid to go against large insurance companies and corporations for our clients. Let us put our experience to work for you so that you can focus on healing.
You don’t have to go through this process alone. Contact Rudenberg & Glasser at (954) 543-1788 for seasoned legal advocates standing in your corner.