In an Auto Accident? When Does Hiring a Lawyer Makes Sense?

Getting into an auto accident is an unpleasant thing. If it’s happened to you, you’re probably worried about your vehicle and any personal injury that you may have sustained. There’s also potential liability for the other party and any damage sustained to their vehicle or injuries to their person.

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Furthermore, if the accident resulted in multiple related accidents due to several vehicles back-ending the one in front, the situation can become complicated very quickly.

For Minor Car Accidents

A minor car accident where your vehicle sustained a small bump causing minimal physical injuries, perhaps light whiplash or hitting your head on the steering wheel, happen frequently.

Florida is a “no-fault state”, which means that a personal injury protection claim is opened to cover the costs to treat your injuries. A claim must be filed with the other driver through their insurer (when the accident was their fault).

Usually, personal injury protection covers up to $10,000, which may go towards medical costs and time off work. The advantage of this system in Florida is that you can seek treatment almost immediately once the fault has been established and a claim has been made.

For Serious Car Accidents

Any accident that falls outside of the example in Florida of $10,000 in medical expenses and lost time at work isn’t covered. If you’re in Florida and suspect that damage to your vehicle and/or personal injuries will be costlier, then get an auto lawyer to protect your rights.

It’s important to appreciate that insurance companies are in the business of paying out claims at as low a value as they can accomplish. They’re experienced at negotiating and are very capable of disputing healthcare or repair bills and offering lesser values, leaving you to repay the remainder. Trying to duke it out with another driver’s insurance company is exhausting when you don’t have anyone helping you.

Get a Negotiator & Litigator on Your Team

Hiring an attorney makes insurance companies sit up and pay attention. They’re no longer dealing with a shook-up driver and instead are now contending with a cool-headed lawyer intent on protecting your rights. This turns an advantageous negotiating position for the insurer into a far worse one.

Getting a lawyer with both negotiating and trial experience on auto claims for serious personal injuries and/or vehicle damage puts you in a powerful position. The lawyer will have dealt with these types of cases successfully many times before – which you haven’t – and can advise you correctly about what pay-out off is reasonable.

Not Sure How Bad the Damage or Personal Injury Is?

The reality is that it’s very difficult to properly assess whether your injuries will cost more than $10,000 or damage to your vehicle will fall outside of the personal injury protection in Florida. You’re not a doctor or a mechanic. You also don’t know what long-term medical issues you might develop as a result of the accident either. Therefore, it’s usually best to hire an attorney right after the accident when you’re not sure the extent of the issues.

Getting into an auto accident is jarring and painful. Avoid making matters worse by trying to negotiate with an insurance company alone. Hire a lawyer to protect your rights.