If you or a loved one was injured in a negligence-based accident, you are entitled to financial recovery. After an accident, you do not have to accept the insurance adjuster’s offer without reviewing your compensation options with a personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton. A lawyer will investigate your case and fight for a favorable and accurate financial recovery.
It can be difficult to understand all the damages you are entitled to recover after an accident on your own. Your lawyer will create a detailed list of your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. They will also build a case file that includes proof of the monetary value of your compensation request.
Recoverable Damages That Should Be Included in Your Settlement Offer
The person or entity whose negligence caused your accident is financially liable for compensating you. Their insurance adjuster should assess the following economic damages:
- Bills for current and future medical care
- Current and future lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property value
Your compensation should also include the following non-economic damages:
- Physical disability
- Lasting disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
Where warranted, you can recover the following wrongful death damages:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of domestic support
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Your lawyer will deal with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. Their familiarity with personal injury and wrongful death cases and with the laws of your state means a lawyer can fight for the best possible financial compensation package.
File Your Lawsuit and Insurance Claim Without Delay
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file a personal injury and wrongful death lawsuit. A lawyer can help you understand and interpret the statute of limitations based on the specific circumstances of your case.
Doing so on your own can be challenging since the statute of limitations was recently decreased from its previous four-year deadline. They can also clarify any exceptions that might provide an extension, according to Florida Statutes § 95.051.
The at-fault party’s representatives will request the immediate dismissal of your lawsuit if it is not filed on time. This request is likely to be granted, which means the insurance company could refuse to negotiate with you, and you would have no legal recourse that compels compensation.
Why You Should Not Accept an Insurance Company’s Initial Offer
Compensation after an accident can include a myriad of big and small damages. On your own—especially in the accident’s immediate aftermath—it can be hard to understand what you are entitled to recover.
When you sue an insurance company for compensation, you can and should say no to any settlement offer that does not fully disclose your recoverable damages or allow sufficient time for your damages to be documented. A speedy offer can be tempting since the accident’s financial toll can be felt immediately. It can leave you with inadequate coverage and no legal avenue to request additional compensation.
What Happens When You Reject an Insurance Settlement Offer
When the evidence indicates fault, the negligent party’s insurance company may make you an offer. If you reject their initial offer:
- Negotiations begin between you and the insurer
- You can reassess your claim to verify its value
- You can make an appropriate counteroffer
- You can ask to work with a different adjuster
Let your lawyer handle the settlement negotiation process for you. They will accept and weigh offers and examine the pros and cons of each offer. If an acceptable settlement agreement cannot be reached, your lawyer can take your case to court for final resolution.
Accident Cases That Benefit From Working With a Personal Injury Lawyer
After an accident, you do not have to take on the insurance company or deal with the adjuster on your own. A personal injury lawyer fights for financial compensation for victims of the following types of negligence-based accidents:
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Bus accidents
- Car accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice cases
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Truck accidents
- Wrongful death
Most personal injury attorneys will accept your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay nothing at all out of your own pocket. Instead, the law firm will take a percentage of your recovery as compensation. If you do not receive a financial award, you will owe no fees at all.
Your Lawyer Can Deal With the Entire Insurance Process
When a lawyer represents you, you do not have to understand all the intricacies of handling your insurance claim. They know what to expect from insurance adjusters and will:
- Initiate communication with the adjuster
- Complete and submit the required claim forms
- Review all documents and correspondence
- Provide additional supporting documentation
Your lawyer’s involvement can help you avoid making statements that could later be misconstrued. They can guide you through each step of the process and protect you from receiving a smaller settlement than you are entitled to recover.
A Solid Evidence Collection Can Steer Your Case Toward a Settlement
Your legal team’s investigation of your accident will include researching, obtaining, and compiling evidence. In general, your evidence collection can include:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Written prognosis
- Proof of income
- Injury photos
- Accident scene photos
- Witness statements
- First responder reports
- Expert testimonials
Your case file will also include evidence specific to your case, which will vary according to the type of accident you were involved in and the financial losses you suffered.
Contact Our Case Review Team Right Away
If you or someone you love was injured due to someone else’s negligence, do not settle for a quick settlement. Our personal injury team will help you seek fair and appropriate compensation. You do not have to accept the insurance adjuster’s offer after an accident or settle for less compensation than you deserve.
Contact Ged Lawyers today. The sooner we know about your accident and injuries, the faster we can start building the strongest possible case.
