Have you been in a car accident in Port Charlotte, Florida, and ended up incurring medical expenses that are now beginning to mount? You may be feeling overwhelmed by the situation and understandably so. Fortunately, there are methods to obtain the compensation you deserve – one of these methods is to submit a claim with your insurance company.
Although the process may appear simple, the process can be rather complicated depending on the specifics and severity of injuries. It’s possible that submitting an insurance claim for personal injury protection will be a time-consuming procedure that requires your adjuster to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if you’re telling the truth about the personal injuries you sustained in a car accident.
After being in a car accident, you may be wondering what type of evidence your insurance adjuster will need to see in order for you to file a claim. At FGB Law firm, our legal experts are here to answer any questions you may have and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
How To File A Claim After A Port Charlotte Car Accident
The state of Florida operates under a pure comparative fault system in order to reduce the number of lawsuits being filed. By having this policy, individuals involved in car accidents are encouraged to seek compensation through their insurance policies rather than through court.
In Florida, the pure comparative fault system is implemented, which assigns a degree of responsibility to every driver involved in a car accident- even if the wreck wasn’t primarily their fault. To try and alleviate some amount of financial burden from potential accidents, Florida requires that each driver carry $10,000 in personal injury protection and property damage liability. However, neither coverage will help you with reimbursements for damages done to your car. If you want assistance for those repairs/damages costs, collision coverage must be purchased as it is an optional add-on.
If you want to file a legal claim against the other driver, outside of the no-fault system, you should speak with a Port Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer. They will be able to tell you if your case qualifies for a lawsuit.
After a vehicle accident, you must file a claim with your insurance to receive assistance. Your lawyer may contact the insurance adjuster on your behalf to inform them that you were in an accident and intend to submit a claim. The investigation phase will begin once your claim request has been submitted.
What Is an Insurance Adjuster and What Do They Do?
An adjuster is an individual who examines the evidence in your claim to decide if and how much you should be compensated. The adjuster will study all of the evidence to ensure that you are telling the truth about your accident, just as a lawyer would in a lawsuit.
Insurance adjusters may make people feel nervous when they call. If you aren’t careful there is a chance that your claim could be denied or significantly decreased simply by words or expressions you inadvertently say.
The insurance adjusters can determine a fair claim settlement by:
- Interviewing
- Visiting your vehicle to assess damages
- Looking at photos and videos of the accident
- Speaking to witnesses
- Reviewing medical and police reports
Depending on the extent and specifics of the accident, it might take a few months for your adjuster to respond with a possible settlement. Although Florida requires motorists to have at least $10,000 in PIP and PDL coverage, you may not get that full amount or even half of it. This is why it is crucial to contact an experienced Port Charlotte Car Accident Law Firm for assistance to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Evidence Insurance Adjusters Will Look For
The objective of submitting a claim with an insurance adjuster is to obtain the documents they want to see that illustrate your side of the story and what occurred. Evidence may drastically alter your compensation amount.
The evidence insurance adjusters will look for in regards to your accident include:
- Photos or videos that show damages and/or how the accident occurred
- Medical records
- Police report
- Witness statements
- Preexisting conditions before the accident
How To Gather Evidence After A Port Charlotte Car Accident
Some evidence sources are more difficult to obtain than others. It might be difficult to locate a video that shows the wreck perfectly if the accident happened on a back road or in an area with no businesses or buildings. However, there are things you can do at the scene to gather evidence and use it in your claim.
After you get into a car accident, it is critical that you call the police right away. Every driver is legally required to do so, and by filing an unbiased report, the police will provide documentation of the incident which can be useful for your insurance claim or lawsuit – if your case permits such claims.
The second most important thing you should do is take photos to document everything at the scene of the car accident. Things you will need to take photos of include:
- Injuries
- Car damages
- Road intrusions or objects
- Any other items that can serve as visual proof
If law enforcement is called to the scene of a car accident, it is advisable that you also receive a medical examination. Oftentimes, people do not realize they have injuries because they are not visible to the naked eye.
In order to assess and calculate the value of your injuries, medical records are key. Your PIP (personal injury protection) benefits depend largely on these documents. Additionally, you might have internal injuries for which you are not yet aware and will need immediate treatment.
Take notes on anything that may come in handy later, such as any individuals who were in the vicinity and witnessed the accident. Ask if they are willing to provide a statement and ensure you get their contact information so you can refer back to them later.
If you’re having trouble collecting the evidence you need for your car accident claim, tell your lawyer. They can help you get the information you require or give suggestions on what to do next with what info you have.
Before You Speak To Insurance, Contact The Expert Car Accident Attorneys At FGB Law Firm
At FGB Law Firm, we understand the process of filing an insurance claim and how to beat insurance companies in their own game. Insurance companies will always try to find any possible way to reduce your claim or deny it together in order to save their business money. Most people assume that hiring an attorney is the last resort measure, but we believe this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
No one deserves to be taken advantage of, least of all when you’re already going through a tough time. Our attorneys can help make sure that doesn’t happen by filing your claim and speaking on your behalf. We’re skilled at negotiation and we’ll do everything we can to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact FGB Law Firm at 941-979-9010 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys as soon as possible.