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Jul
2023

Can You Trust the Insurance Adjuster After a Car Crash in Florida?

on  Car Accidents

If you were injured in a car crash in Florida, one of your first thoughts might be to contact your insurance company to seek compensation. After all, you pay your premiums on time so that when you get into an accident, your insurance company will be there to help you pick up the pieces. While your insurance company might be on your side after an accident that is not your fault, you can bet that the insurance claim adjuster from the opposing side will not be. Before you get into any type of discussion with the insurance adjusters, you should speak with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer today. 

Car accident lawyer Prosper Shaked has worked on numerous injury cases and can help you manage negotiations with an insurance company. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA is here to discuss whether a victim of a car crash in Florida can trust an insurance claim adjuster. 

What Do Florida Insurance Adjusters Do?

Insurance adjusters play a crucial role in the car insurance claims process, serving as the key point of contact between the insurance company and the policyholder. Their responsibilities and duties extend to both parties involved, and they are expected to act as impartial evaluators. However, it is important to acknowledge that they may not always fulfill these duties impartially, which can impact the claims process.

Insurance adjusters must assess the extent of damages sustained during the car accident in Florida. They review evidence, inspect the vehicle, and consult with experts to determine the scope of repairs or replacements required. The adjuster also must verify the policyholder’s coverage and determine whether the damages fall within the insurance policy’s terms.

Based on their evaluation of damages and policy coverage, adjusters are responsible for negotiating fair settlements with the policyholder. They consider various factors, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Can You Trust Florida Insurance Adjusters?

Impartiality is a cornerstone of the insurance adjuster’s role. It ensures fair treatment for policyholders and accurate assessments of damages, ultimately leading to just settlements. An impartial adjuster should consider all available evidence, apply the relevant provisions of the insurance policy, and determine settlements based on objective criteria.

Unfortunately, insurance adjusters may not always fulfill their responsibilities impartially. They may face pressure from their employer, the insurance company, to minimize claim payouts or meet certain targets. This conflict of interest can influence their decision-making and potentially compromise their impartiality. Insurance adjusters may conduct incomplete or superficial investigations to appease their employers, leading to an inaccurate assessment of damages and potentially lower settlements. They may also undervalue the damages sustained during the accident, resulting in inadequate compensation.

While not all insurance adjusters engage in such behaviors, policyholders must be aware of potential biases and take necessary precautions during the claims process.

Why You Should Not Trust an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Crash in Florida

When a car crash occurs, you must determine your best option to recover compensation for damage to your vehicle and any injuries you suffered. If you pursue an insurance claim, you must report the accident to your insurance company first, regardless of fault. This is because Florida is a no-fault state for auto insurance policies. This means that no matter who is liable for the accident, each driver must turn to their insurance carrier for compensation.

One of the benefits of Florida’s no-fault insurance law is that it makes it easier for Florida car accident victims to receive compensation for treating their injuries because liability does not have to be determined first. 

However, serious issues may arise if your injuries are too extensive to be compensated by insurance. Fortunately, the law allows you to pursue a liability claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company if you can show that you sustained a serious, permanent, or disfiguring injury.

It is important to note that while your insurance company may be on your side regarding compensation for an accident, the opposing insurance company may use tactics to decrease the value of your case.

The insurance claim adjuster from the other insurance company will work to diminish your injuries and other losses. There are a few ways that an insurance claim adjuster may try to affect your case negatively. 

For example, the insurance adjuster may try to confuse you about the details of your case to get you to admit some level of fault. This is often accomplished by asking similar questions to see if your responses may change from your initial report.

An insurance adjuster may also downplay the severity of your injuries or property damage that you sustained. For instance, if you sustained a serious head injury that requires extensive medical care, the insurance adjuster may attempt to offer you an amount that is insufficient to cover your expenses.

It is always important to remember that an insurance adjuster’s goal is to minimize liability for their employer. As a result, an insurance adjuster may take all possible steps to keep costs low. If you feel an insurance adjuster is trying to harm your car accident settlement, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Why You Should Pursue a Car Crash Lawsuit in Florida Instead of an Insurance Claim

If you suffer a serious injury in a car accident in Florida, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit instead of seeking an insurance settlement. As mentioned, many insurance adjusters actively work to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve for your accident. As a result, a personal injury lawsuit may be your best option.  

One of the primary reasons to pursue a car accident lawsuit is that you can determine how much you wish to seek compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are used to reimburse injured accident victims for losses and injuries. This form of damages is split into two types: economic losses and noneconomic losses. 

Economic losses are calculated based on financial losses. For example, if a car crash injured you so severely that you were forced to miss work, this would fall under economic losses.

Noneconomic losses are based on several subjective issues. For example, if you have difficulty performing tasks you used to enjoy due to an injury, this can be factored into the damages you request.

It is important to note that a victim cannot simultaneously seek a personal injury lawsuit and an insurance settlement. Before deciding whether to settle, you should speak with an experienced Florida car accident attorney that can help you weigh your options.

Contact Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love got hurt in a car crash in Florida, you deserve to have someone fighting for you. At Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our Florida car accident lawyers know how to tackle even the most complex car accident case and win. Why? Cause we know how to go up against insurance companies and their adjusters. We know the tricks and tactics they use, and we fight back and get results. 

If the at-fault driver does not want to go through insurance, contact our experienced car accident attorney immediately. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA believes that victims of car accidents should be thoroughly compensated for their injuries. Our firm has often seen how a severe car crash can substantially change a person’s life, and we are here to help you get your life back on track.

Call Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676 for a free case evaluation. Together we can seek justice and get you the compensation you need – and deserve.