Accidente múltiple: ¿Necesito un abogado de lesiones personales?

23 de febrero Accidente múltiple: ¿Necesito un abogado de lesiones personales?

You are traveling down I-275 in beautiful Tampa, Florida on your way home from work. Traffic begins to slow to bumper to bumper traffic as it does each day. As you begin to slow for the traffic ahead, the car behind you continues on at a normal pace. They more concerned with the text that came in then paying attention to the road. You come to a much lower speed however, the car behind you fails to do so. You are hit so violently that you are pushed into the car in front of you, who is then pushed into the car in front of them. You have just been involved in a multi-car accident and yes, you need a personal injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected.

Obtaining Proper Compensation After An Accident

Insurance companies are typically for-profit organizations. How does that affect you, especially in a multi-car accident situation? They want to do everything they can to compensate you the least amount possible. Moreover, when you get in a multi-car accident, they know they are already behind and will likely have to pay out to multiple parties. Therefore, they want to make it even more difficult to collect what you deserve. It is important that you retain the right personal injury attorney to fight the insurance companies on your behalf so you obtain all the compensation you deserve.

Questionable Liability After A Multi-Car Accident

Sometimes, although how an accident occurred is clear, some individuals may allege different facts in order to bolster their own claim. For example, in a rear end accident, the vehicle in front of you might say that they felt “two impacts” instead of the actual one impact that occurred. Essentially, they are saying that you hit them, and then the car behind you hit you. This allegation could leave you open to liability. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident so they can conduct a proper investigation including but not limited to:

– Collecting Evidence

– Interviewing Witnesses

– Reviewing Reports

– Examining Vehicles

– Talking With Adjusters

Recorded Statements After An Accident

After a multi-car accident, an insurance adjuster may request what is called a “recorded statement.” You have no obligation to speak with the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. However, you do have a contractual obligation to speak with your own insurance adjuster. Although they may seem like they are on your side, as we have discussed many times, these are for-profit companies that want to twist your words. This is so they can compensation you the least amount possible. Might sure that you have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side before speaking with the insurance adjusters.

Global Settlement Conferences

If there are multiple parties involved and insurance coverage is limited, for example there are 4 parties in the accident and only $20,000.00 in total coverage, the insurance company may call what is a global settlement conference. The global settlement conference is where each party has an opportunity to speak on their injuries and damages. Then, a mediator attempts to bring the parties together on how the limited funds should be split. I have participated in many of these global settlement conferences and I can tell you that the parties that are represented by an experienced personal injury attorney come out in a much better position than those that are not. This is likely because the personal injury attorney how to properly articulate their client’s injuries and damages.

Moreover, I will say that it is so imperative that one obtains uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage especially for times like a multi-car accident. If you have large medical bills in addition to other damages and the situation above occurs, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars out of your own pocket. Therefore, be sure to contact your insurance carrier immediately to make sure that you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

You May Waive Car Accident Compensation By Mistake

If Florida, your uninsured/underinsured motorist carrier (UM coverage) has what are called “subrogation rights”. The insurance company has an option to pay the bodily injury proceeds and then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party. This rarely happens as most individuals do not have the requisite collectible assets on hand but nonetheless, can occur. For example, Bill Gates hits you and only has $10,000.00 in insurance coverage. His insurance company tenders (pays) their full policy limits and you have UM coverage. Your UM carrier may tell you that they are going to pay you the $10,000.00 directly from them. Then, your UM carrier will go after Bill personally because they know he has the assets to reimburse them for what they paid out. This keeps wealthy people from getting low policies to easily get off the hook from an accident.

So, in order to be fully entitled to UM benefits, you have to request a waiver of those subrogation rights to accept the bodily injury settlement from the at-fault party. Should you not obtain a UM subrogation waiver, the uninsured/ underinsured motorist carrier may not be required to compensate you. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have an experienced personal injury attorney that knows this process and can make sure that all of your rights are protected.

Experienced Florida Personal Injury Accident Attorney

I understand that the process after getting into a car accident in Florida can be difficult and stressful. You probably have a lot of questions and very few answers. Allow me to be there for you every step of the way. I offer a FREE no-obligation consultation and will review your accident claim with you personally at one of the office locations in Tampa, Zephyrhills, Saint Petersburg, Brandon or Clearwater. Cannot make it to me? I will come to wherever is convenient to you at NO charge. You deserve to be compensated and I want to get justice for you!

Contact Personal Injury Attorney Kevin L. Sullivan II TODAY at (813) 598-4868 for a FREE no-obligation consultation. I look forward to assisting you with your claim!