Being involved in an accident isn’t something most licensed drivers spend a lot of time thinking about. Statistically speaking, the chances of you being involved in a car accident are pretty high. In fact, a recent study found that over 77% of drivers will be involved in at least one car accident in their lifetimes. There is nothing worse than dealing with car damage and injuries caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Luckily, you can seek out compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the negligent actions of another driver. In the weeks following your car accident, you will probably be contacted by the insurance adjuster representing the other party involved in your accident. When dealing with insurance adjusters, be sure to keep the following things in mind.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Whether you were or were not responsible for a car accident, you never need to admit fault to an insurance adjuster. You need to realize that Florida has a no-fault law on the books for car accidents that occur in the state. This law dictates that the insurance companies of drivers involved in a car accident must pay up to $10,000 worth of damages. However, if the medical bills you have incurred are more than this amount, you will need to seek out compensation from the other party’s insurance company.
If you admit fault with an insurance adjuster during your conversation, your ability to get this additional settlement money might be compromised. This is why you need to avoid making this mistake when talking to an insurance adjuster about the car accident in question.
Thoroughly Read Medical Record Releases Before Signing Them
One of the first things an insurance adjuster will ask for is access to your medical records. This access is needed to verify the cost of the medical treatment you have received since your car accident. However, some insurance companies will ask for access to your entire medical history. When presented with a medical records release request, you need to read over it thoroughly before signing it.
With access to your entire medical history, an insurance company can find out about old injuries. If they can show a correlation between these old injuries and the new injuries you are claiming happened as a result of the car accident, you may have a hard time getting compensation. This is why allowing a lawyer to review these medical record releases before signing them is a wise move.
Avoid Signing a Settlement Before Your Lawyer Reviews It
Under compensating accident victims is pretty standard practice in the insurance industry. If an insurance company can get you to sign a settlement for a lower amount of compensation out of the gate, they can avoid losing money.
Instead of getting in a hurry and signing a settlement, you need to take your time to ensure you get what you are owed. Once you are presented with a settlement, you need to let your lawyer review it. They can let you know if the amount of compensation being offered is adequate.
If you need help dealing with insurance adjusters, the team at Ovadia Law Group, PA can assist you.
