NO! You should not accept the insurance company’s first settlement after your car accident. We’ll tell you why! I cannot tell you how many times that accident victims call me to ask them if I can help them with their case, only to find out that they have already settled their bodily injury claim for pennies on the dollar. Most people have no idea that they already agreed to settle their claim.
Insurance companies are in business to make money. Their only concern is paying out as little as possible after a car accident. Their first offer is NEVER their best. In fact, it is often far less than you need to recover from your injuries and rebuild your life after an accident.
If you accept the insurance company’s first offer, you’re leaving money on the table you may need. You cannot go back and ask for more, even if you develop medical complications from your injuries. Once you sign, it’s done. You can’t ask for more.
That’s why injured Florida car accident victims owe it to themselves to call our law firm immediately. When you get an offer from the insurance company, call us. We’ll talk with you about your offer and help you evaluate whether it’s enough money to pay for your injuries and damages. We do this for FREE in an initial consultation.
Questions to Ask When Evaluating Your First Offer From the Insurance Company
It’s natural to feel a pull towards accepting a settlement offer after a car accident, especially with mounting bills. Yet, it’s important to consider whether this initial offer is what you truly need and deserve.
As you evaluate a potential settlement, it’s crucial to reflect on several key questions:
- Have I achieved the fullest possible recovery from my injuries, or is there more treatment ahead?
- Is my ability to work still impacted, and will I miss more work in the future?
- Has my daily living situation changed? Do I need assistance with everyday tasks?
- Have I experienced the tragic loss of a loved one due to the accident?
- What are the specifics of the insurance policy held by the party at fault?
- Am I prepared to cover any of my losses personally without compensation?
These questions are essential in shaping your response to a settlement offer. They help in assessing not just your current situation but also your future needs and challenges. This reflection is critical in understanding the full scope of what you’re entitled to.
When you contact our law firm, we will be there every step of the way to guide you through these questions. We know that insurance companies do not have your best interest in mind. That’s why you need someone on your side – fighting for you.
Insurance Companies’ Offers and Florida Car Accidents
When you are involved in a car accident in Florida, you can pursue compensation for your injuries and property damage through a claim with your insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or file a personal injury lawsuit against any party that contributed to the crash.
Insurance companies want to limit their liability. They profit by collecting premiums and avoiding paying large settlements. The critical thing to remember is that insurance companies employ teams of accountants, adjusters, and attorneys whose job is to limit the amount of money they are required to pay after an accident.
You will be assigned an adjuster when you report an accident to an insurance provider. The insurance adjuster will work with you to collect the pertinent facts regarding the incident. While the adjuster will seem concerned and empathetic, they are attempting to elicit specific answers and information that will be used to minimize the seriousness of your injury and imply fault on your part.
By contacting our knowledgeable Florida car accident attorney before speaking with any insurance company, we can help ensure that you do not make any recorded statement or provide any communication that would jeopardize your recovery.
It is common for an insurance company to make a quick offer much lower than you deserve. You are not required to accept any settlement from an insurance provider. However, depositing a check from an insurance company could be construed as an agreement to the settlement offer. Once you agree to a settlement, you are prohibited from seeking additional damages.
Understanding the Value of Your Florida Car Accident Claim
Every claim arising from a Florida car accident has a value. Calculating the full worth of a claim is often challenging. Adding up the initial costs, such as medical expenses, hospital bills, or other costs that come with receipts, is not difficult. However, what is recoverable after a car accident is much more than quantifiable expenses.
When you get a lawyer for a car accident in Florida, you’re leveling the playing field with insurers. Our car accident attorney has the experience and resources to calculate a good-faith estimate of your claim. In addition to the financial costs you incurred, there might be many you have not thought about or could not have known about if you agreed to a quick settlement.
There are many small or potentially hidden costs you might not readily consider, such as transportation costs, parking fees, prescription medication, or bandages. Additionally, depending on the severity of your injuries, you might not be able to calculate your financial losses accurately. For instance, additional surgeries or occupational therapy cost money. If you agree to a settlement without knowing the complete medical consequences of your injuries, you will be prohibited from seeking compensation for additional expenses that you might incur.
This also includes your future lost income. While it is easy to calculate the money you have lost if you are out of work, it will not necessarily include your future lost income. When an injury is catastrophic, you could be out of work for months, years, or permanently.
You are also entitled to recover for physical and mental pain and suffering. It is much more challenging to estimate these noneconomic damages. By examining the facts of your case, the impact your injury has on your life, and the relevant case law, our car accident attorney will formulate an accurate estimate of the compensation you deserve.
Filing a Lawsuit or Settling with an Insurance Company After a Car Accident in Florida
Car accidents can be simple affairs, such as a rear-end collision. However, in many cases, the facts surrounding a crash are disputed, there are multiple cars involved, and there might be third parties who also contributed to the accident.
When you are injured in a car accident, you want to be compensated for all your damages, including your financial losses and emotional stress. If you accept a fast settlement offer, it is unlikely that you will receive the full compensation you deserve.
By retaining Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA, you will ensure that your claim is thoroughly investigated and that our attorneys and staff will be working towards getting you the financial recovery to which you are entitled.
As an injured victim, you get one shot at receiving monetary compensation for your injuries. Maximizing your settlement takes patience, a willingness to take your case to court, and the representation of a dedicated car accident attorney in Florida.
Don’t Agree To Anything Without Calling Our Law Firm
In recent months, a worrying trend has emerged. Insurers are getting Florida car accident victims to sign quick settlements, and many don’t even realize they’re signing away their legal rights to compensation. Don’t sign anything. It costs NOTHING to call our law firm and ensure you’re getting the money you need.
Many Florida car accident victims have contacted our law firm and shared their experiences dealing with insurance adjusters from the at-fault party’s side. These individuals, often in a vulnerable state following an accident, are approached rapidly, sometimes within days of the incident, by insurance adjusters.
The approach these adjusters are taking is calculated. They offer a quick settlement, a modest sum of money, with the promise of an immediate payout. This might seem like a straightforward solution at a time when the victims are likely overwhelmed and in need of support. However, there’s a hidden cost to this speedy settlement.
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that these offers are not in the best interest of the victims. By accepting these quick settlements, victims may unknowingly waive their right to seek appropriate compensation later, which could be significantly higher and more in line with the true impact of their injuries and losses. This practice appears to be more prevalent now than in the past, suggesting a deliberate strategy by insurers to resolve claims quickly and economically.
What’s particularly disconcerting is that this tactic disproportionately affects certain groups. Younger individuals and those for whom English is not a first language are more susceptible to these devious tactics. This raises serious concerns about fairness and equity in the aftermath of car accidents.
Remember, insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators trained to protect the interests of their employers. As such, their primary goal when talking to you is often to minimize payouts. Car accident victims must call our law firm if an insurance adjuster approaches them. Do not agree to anything without talking to us. We offer free consultations, so it doesn’t cost you anything to make sure you’re getting a fair deal.
Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
Surviving a car accident can be a deeply traumatic and unsettling experience. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, you’re likely dealing with more than just physical pain. The aftermath often brings a deluge of medical bills, insurance co-pays, and deductibles, which can quickly become overwhelming. And if your injuries are severe, you might also be facing a daunting loss of income or even a long-term disability.
It’s understandable to feel a pressing need to alleviate your financial burdens. This urgency might make the first settlement offer from an insurance company appear attractive. However, don’t do it until you talk to us.
Our Florida injury legal team understands the complexities and the emotional toll these accidents take. When you hire us, we will ensure that any decision you make about a settlement is fully informed and in your best interest. We don’t let insurance companies lowball our clients.
The initial offer from an insurance company, while prompt, often does not reflect the true extent of your losses and needs. It’s essential to consider the long-term implications of your injury, including ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and the impact on your quality of life. Accepting an offer too quickly might close the door on the compensation you truly deserve and need for a full recovery.
Contact Us Today
We believe in empowering you with knowledge and support. That’s why, before making any decision, we want to talk to you. At Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys, PA, you’re not just a case number; your experience and recovery matter. We’re here to support you through every step of this journey, ensuring your voice is heard and your needs are met. In these challenging times, having the right support can make all the difference in your path to recovery and justice. If you have a settlement offer from the insurance company, call Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.