If you’ve been involved in an accident in Florida and received a settlement offer from an insurance company, you might feel relieved to see compensation coming your way. However, before accepting, it’s essential to understand that insurance companies often offer less than what your claim is truly worth. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, not provide fair compensation for injuries, pain, or financial losses. This is why it’s crucial to work with a skilled personal injury lawyer who can ensure you get the total value of your claim. If you’ve received an offer, it’s time to contact a lawyer from Freidin Brown to protect your rights.
Why Insurance Companies Don’t Offer Fair Settlements
Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. They may act friendly and cooperative, but they have teams of experienced claims adjusters who protect the company’s interests. These adjusters often offer a quick settlement, hoping you’ll accept without realizing you’re entitled to more.
When you’re unrepresented, they can use your inexperience to their advantage. They might ask tricky questions designed to trip you up or push you into downplaying your injuries. Common questions they might ask include:
- “How are you feeling today?” – This can seem harmless, but if you say you’re feeling fine, they may argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.
- “Were there any previous injuries?” – They may try to link your current pain to an old injury instead of the accident.
- “What were you doing at the time of the accident?” – Any uncertainty or minor detail they can exploit could make it seem like you were partially at fault.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do For You
Hiring a personal injury lawyer offers significant advantages. These legal professionals have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and know how to fight for your best interests. They can help in several critical areas of your claim:
- Evaluating the true value of your case: An attorney will consider all your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
- Negotiating with the insurance company: Lawyers have the experience and knowledge to handle tough negotiations, ensuring the insurance company doesn’t shortchange you.
- Gathering evidence: From police reports to medical records and eyewitness statements, your lawyer will gather and organize all the necessary evidence to strengthen your case.
- Filing paperwork and meeting deadlines: Personal injury cases have strict deadlines and complicated paperwork. An attorney ensures nothing is missed.
Having a legal expert in your corner increases your chances of receiving a fair settlement reflecting the extent of your injuries and losses.
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
It’s always a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney when you receive a settlement offer from the insurance company. However, if any of the following apply to your situation, hiring a lawyer becomes even more critical:
- The insurance company is pushing you to settle quickly.
- You’ve been offered a settlement that seems too low to cover your expenses.
- Your injuries are severe or will require long-term care.
- You’re facing mounting medical bills and missed workdays.
- The accident has caused emotional or psychological distress.
In these cases, working with a personal injury lawyer will help you avoid accepting a settlement that doesn’t realistically compensate you for your injuries and suffering.
The Importance of Knowing the Full Value of Your Claim
One of the biggest errors accident victims make is underestimating the value of their claims. Insurance companies will take full advantage of this by offering settlements that only cover a fraction of the actual costs. You may not know what you’re entitled to without a personal injury attorney to assess your case.
A few of the factors your attorney will consider when determining the total value of your claim include:
- Medical expenses: This includes immediate costs like emergency care and long-term needs such as physical therapy or ongoing treatments.
- Lost wages: If your injuries have kept you out of work, you deserve compensation for any income you’ve lost.
- Pain and suffering: This relates to both the physical pain and emotional distress that were caused by the accident.
- Property damage: If the accident harmed your vehicle or other personal property, you should be compensated for repairs or replacement.
Understanding the full range of your damages is crucial for getting the compensation you deserve.
Protect Your Rights—Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Dealing with the trauma of an accident is never pleasant, especially when you’re up against an insurance company trying to minimize your compensation. Don’t let them take advantage of you. A Florida personal injury attorney will fight to ensure you receive the full settlement you’re entitled to.
