If you have recently been involved in a vehicle accident in Florida, you may be under the impression that you can handle the situation on your own.
Far too many individuals who have sustained serious injuries in a car crash are under the impression that they can handle all of the aspects of managing a car accident claim.
Given Florida’s very particular rules about personal injury protection and issues regarding liability, it is imperative to avoid making any of these common mistakes.
These mistakes may cost you in the form of reduced or no compensation associated with your injuries and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to recover from a situation like this. It is essential that you understand how much a car accident can impact your future.
Not Getting Medical Attention
The shock and adrenaline coursing through your body after a vehicle accident may lead you to think that things are just fine. However, this can be a major mistake as some of the most severe injuries including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries are not apparent to the naked eye.
It is vital that you visit the emergency room and ensure that you have appropriate diagnostic testing completed so as to protect yourself. This may be the only way to avoid significant repercussions for your health.
Not getting medical attention may also indicate to your insurance company and the other party in a personal injury claim that you are not as severely injured as you claim you are.
Make sure that you not only attend all of your medical appointments after an accident, but keep notes and document all of your medical records so that you can reference them when it comes time to file a personal injury claim.
Signing Something Too Early
The insurance company has a strong motivation to get you to sign a settlement offer as soon as possible. There is a good chance that they will reach out to you with a low ball offer, relatively quickly after the accident, hoping to take advantage of your lack of knowledge about the situation and to encourage you to sign a document right away and close out the matter.
When you accept a settlement from an insurance company, you bar yourself from being able to pursue any other claims in the future.
This can be absolutely devastating if you realize later on that your medical conditions are so severe that you need additional compensation. Outside of your own health insurance and relying on friends and family for support without the compensation you need, life may be difficult and even unbearable. This is why as soon as possible; you need to reach out to a personal injury lawyer to evaluate the strength of your claim.
In the event that the insurance company does offer you a settlement check, you need to speak with your lawyer to determine whether or not this is fair. You are by no means obligated to sign any settlement agreement or accept the check from the insurance company until you have agreed that it is in your best interests. Bear in mind that the insurance company does not always have your best interests in mind.
In fact, they are primarily focused on their own bottom line and may have every motivation in the world to push you to accept a settlement that is far less than what your claim is worth.
The only way to properly calculate the long-term implications of your injuries in the accident is to set up a consultation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discover how the accident may influence your future.
Trying to Handle Your Claim on Your Own
You may feel that the insurance company is willing to work with you and that the other party will be reasonable so that you can close out your personal injury claim quickly.
You should never count on this as this is your only opportunity to advocate for your interests and you need someone who is knowledgeable about local and state laws as well as customs in the courtroom handling personal injury claims.
You may not be able to accurately calculate how this situation will influence you years from now, so you need an attorney who will work hard on your behalf and fight for you aggressively in court.
Your attorney may be able to resolve the matter effectively and efficiently via a settlement outside of court, but you also want someone who is just as committed to following through in trial if this is truly the best outcome for you.
Get Help from a Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney Today
Do not hesitate to reach out to the offices of an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after you have been involved in an accident.
It may be the critical first step for getting you the compensation that you deserve, so that you go back to focusing on what matters, your recovery and enjoying your life. Don’t make these mistakes as it could cost you significantly both in the short and long term.
Learn how traffic fatalities may lead to wrongful death claims: https://myjacksonvillelawyers.com/2016/10/12/traffic-fatalities-may-lead-wrongful-death-claims/
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What constitutes a personal injury?
The most common personal injury is an auto accident, but the broad definition encompasses any situation where a person suffers harm due to the negligence of another person or entity. Early identification of a personal injury is important to the legal process. Many serious injuries occur each year involving:
– Auto accidents
– Premises liability accidents such as injuries caused by a slip and fall
– Medical malpractice/nursing home injuries
– Wrongful death
– Work-related accidents
– Animal attacks
– Faulty or malfunctioning products (product liability)