After a Florida car accident, you may have dealt with an insurance company on your own if there were no injuries involved. The process may have been smooth when you were simply receiving a financial amount needed to fix your vehicle. But, when an accident results in physical injuries, the process can be a lot more complicated. In these scenarios, it is common for an insurance adjuster to assess the damages and try to quickly offer a settlement amount. If you have the name and contact information of the individual who was negligent, you may incorrectly believe you will negotiate with that individual. In the majority of situations, all negotiations happen with the individual’s insurance company instead. An adjuster is assigned to the task to determine the worth of the claim. However, the insurance adjuster may try to offer you significantly less than what your claim is worth. Connect with a Sarasota car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident involving injuries. It is possible an experienced car accident attorney can take action to better secure you the maximum compensation allowed. For instance, when there is a lot of documentation proving your injuries were the result of another’s negligence, your lawyer could send a demand letter stating what settlement amount is required by law and negotiate with the insurance adjuster to secure you a favorable settlement without even filing a lawsuit. How Insurance Companies Assess the Worth of a Claim It is important to note that insurance adjusters work for the insurance company. Even if they are friendly to you, it does not mean they are putting your needs first. Their job is to pay out on settlements, but they are also doing so most often in a way that does not hurt the financial health of the company who pays them. If an insurance adjuster tells you not to talk to a lawyer, that it will only complicate matters, know that it is because you talking to a lawyer complicates matters for them. It is best for them when you accept an offer they provide, but you may very well be able to secure a higher amount with a legal professional on your side who has the knowledge and experience to advise you of what your case is worth. Items taken into consideration when determining what a case value is:
- Medical expenses and hospital bills
- Personal property damages
- Lost wages and future income damage
- Emotional distress, including pain and suffering
- Insurance policy size and scope
- Strength of the documentation