With over two million permanent residents and another 70 million visitors each year, navigating Orlando’s roadways can be challenging for even the most experienced drivers. Not surprisingly, Orlando has its share of car accidents. If you were injured in an Orlando car accident, you may be suffering from physical and emotional injuries while also struggling financially if your injuries prevent you from earning what you did prior to the collision. If another driver was at-fault in the accident, you may be entitled to file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. Before doing that, be sure to consult with an experienced Orlando car accident insurance claim attorney to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
At Malik Law, we understand how a car accident impacts the lives of injured victims and their families. We are also all too familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to limit the amount of money they pay to injured victims. If you were injured in a car accident, let an Orlando car accident insurance claim attorney at Malik Law help you file your insurance claim to make sure you are fully and fairly compensated for all your injuries.
Why Do I Need an Orlando Car Accident Insurance Claim Attorney to File a Claim?
It may seem simple enough to file a claim with another driver’s insurance company, particularly if that driver was clearly at fault in the collision; however, there are several reasons why you should not go it alone when filing a car accident insurance claim.
All motorists in the State of Florida are required to carry liability insurance that is intended to compensate for personal injuries and property damage if the insured is at fault in a collision. Keep in mind, however, that an insurance company is also a business and must make a profit to remain in business, meaning an insurance company has a vested interest in keeping the amount of money paid out in claims to a minimum. If you file a claim without the assistance of an attorney, the insurance company may use any or all these common tactics to avoid paying you what your claim is worth:
- Questioning their insured’s liability. Even if their insured was clearly at fault, the adjuster might refuse to accept liability without a “thorough investigation.” Often, this strategy is nothing more than an attempt at discouraging a victim from pursuing a valid claim.
- Requiring unnecessary forms and documentation. You may be told that you need to provide documentation related to the accident when, in fact, it is not your job to do so. You may also be told to fill out and submit endless forms, many of which are not necessary to process your claim.
- Endless delays. Insurance companies know that injured victims need medical treatment and compensation as soon as possible. With that in mind, they will often intentionally slow down the process by failing to respond in a timely manner or claiming they are not finished with their investigation, all the while hoping the claimant will get impatient and give up or accept a token settlement.
- Pressuring you to accept a quick settlement. Adjusters often reach out to injured victims shortly after an accident and offer what may seem like a decent amount of money, but that offer is contingent on the victim releasing the insurance company from all claims and must be accepted right away. The claim is frequently worth much more than what was initially offered.
- Discouraging you from seeking medical treatment. An insurance adjuster can make it easier or harder for a claimant to find and receive medical treatment. Sadly, they often make it harder in the hope that an injured victim will not realize what their claim is worth.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law Impact My Claim?
Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state, meaning drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage that pays their medical bills (up to $10,000) if they are injured in an accident without regard to who was at fault in the collision. Consequently, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company first if you are involved in a car accident.
There are limits and exclusions to what PIP insurance covers. For example, PIP does not cover non-economic damages, including the pain and suffering you experience after a car accident. PIP insurance is also limited to $10,000 in medical expenses. To pursue additional compensation above and beyond what is covered by your own PIP coverage, you must leave the “no-fault” system and pursue a traditional personal injury lawsuit. A traditional personal injury lawsuit requires you to prove negligence on the part of the at-fault driver.
It is often impossible to know the severity of your injuries, and therefore the value of your claim, immediately following a car accident. To ensure that your right to pursue the maximum compensation possible is protected, you should always consult with an Orlando car accident insurance claim attorney before making a claim of any kind following a car accident.
How Can an Orlando Car Accident Insurance Claim Attorney Help Me?
Insurance companies are skilled at avoiding liability and reducing payouts to claimants. As an injured victim, you need an equally skilled litigator who can advocate on your behalf to level the playing field. Knowing you are represented by a highly skilled and respected Orlando car accident insurance claim attorney from the outset ensures that your claim will be taken seriously and discourages the insurance company from trying to employ their usual tactics aimed at minimizing the settlement amount.
Moreover, having an experienced attorney on your side from the beginning means that your attorney will already be familiar with the facts and circumstances surrounding your accident if litigation becomes necessary. If the insurance company fails to offer you a full and fair settlement, your attorney can immediately pursue a lawsuit on your behalf and aggressively advocate for you in court.
How Much Will an Orlando Car Accident Insurance Claim Attorney Cost?
The thought of having to pay out of pocket for an attorney on top of medical bills and lost wages may initially deter you from the idea of hiring an attorney. The good news is that there is no upfront cost when you hire an Orlando car accident insurance claim attorney. Your attorney only gets paid if you receive a favorable settlement or award at trial, meaning you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by working with an experienced attorney.
Contact an Orlando Car Accident Insurance Claim Attorney
At Malik Law, P.A. we have the experience, skills, and commitment required to negotiate or litigate your car accident claim successfully. If you were injured in a Florida car accident, we can help. Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Orlando car accident insurance claim attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.