When to Call a Florida Personal Injury Attorney

Dealing With Insurance Companies Isn’t Easy

Insurance companies are companies — they want to cut as many checks as possible. Even if your case is relatively straightforward, insurers employ armies of lawyers and claims adjusters trained to reduce or deny claims. 

For example, a claims adjuster may:

• Blame you for the accident to reduce your settlement.
• Offer a lowball settlement that doesn’t cover all your damages.
• Take your time with the claim process until you are motivated to settle for less than you are owed.

You Need Medical Treatment After an Accident

To obtain the most compensation you can, hold on to all medical records, bills, and receipts regarding your injury. Your attorney will use this documentation to ensure a fair settlement or take the case to a judge, if necessary.

Insurance companies understand this and may purposefully delay your claim, in hopes that you’ll take a lesser amount just to take care of your bills. A personal injury lawyer will ensure your medical costs are compensated. 

What Can You Be Compensated For?

With a good attorney on your side, you may be able to obtain compensation for: 

• Medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions)
• Lost wages (both past and future earnings if you’re unable to work)
• Pain and suffering (calculated based on the severity of your injury)
• Loss of consortium (if the injury affects your relationships)
• Property damage (car repairs, replacement of damaged belongings)
• Household services (if your injury prevents you from handling daily tasks)

To help ensure you get the most compensation, keep copies of all medical records, bills, and receipts associated with your injury. Your lawyer will use that evidence to negotiate a fair settlement or, if necessary, take the case to a judge.

If Your Insurance Claim Was Denied

An insurance company denying a legitimate claim is not unusual, especially when it sees you don’t have an attorney. They count on the fact that accident victims are unfamiliar with these procedures, and figure they’ll settle for whatever pitiful offer is dangled in front of them.

Say, for example, you slip and fall at a grocery store, incurring a serious back injury. You require surgery and weeks of recovery, but your employer’s paid time off runs out, and your landlord still wants rent. And with no income, you may be pressured to take the insurance company’s low offer — just to survive. 

That’s exactly what they’re looking for. A Florida personal injury lawyer such as Kevin L. Sullivan II will review your case, determine the value of your claim, and ensure you get every dollar you are owed.