What If My Car Was Damaged Before a Car Accident?
After a car accident in Sarasota or another Florida area, many turn to insurance companies for financial relief. With proper coverage, damages from the crash will be assessed by an insurance adjuster and paid out reasonably. What happens in crash situations where a car is damaged before the accident? In those situations, an adjuster could deny a claim or try to convince you to agree to a lower settlement amount.
When a damaged vehicle is in a car crash, there are still possible paths to compensation. If you are feeling injured, seek medical attention right away and then promptly talk to a Sarasota car accident lawyer. In Florida, individuals have at least four years from the date of a crash they were not at fault for to move forward with a personal injury claim. Of course, it is important to remember that the timeline could be different if you are involved in a collision in another state, and the sooner is better for bringing forward any claim.
Pre-Existing Damage Could Complicate a Claim
When a car or truck was damaged before a collision, it will likely be referred to as pre-existing damage. Being honest about damage is important. If a person lies about damage, it could be noted that there is a discrepancy when an expert looks over the vehicle. They may be able to see that some of the dents are older than the time of the accident in Sarasota, Bradenton, Port Charlotte, or elsewhere in Florida.
If the damage from a prior event is in the same location as the damage from the car accident, an insurance adjuster could try to walk away from the claim without offering any compensation, using the pre-existing damage to their advantage. It is important to consult a legal professional who can advocate for you and be on your side. They can determine the best way to settle a property damage claim, which could happen in a variety of ways:
- Car repair settlement.
- Compensation for diminished value.
- Write off or total loss.
A write off can happen when the cost of repairing a car or truck is larger than the value of the entire vehicle. It is also referred to as a total loss. If you are unsure of which way applies to your situation, connect with a Sarasota car accident lawyer.
Compensation for Medical Expenses
There are times when property damage compensation is not enough because the car accident resulted in injuries that required medical treatments. These treatments are often expensive. If you are recovering from a hospital stay to no fault of your own and are unsure how to handle all of the healthcare expenses that have accumulated because of a crash, know help is available.
Car accidents can lead to insurance claims for injuries that were not recognized right away and exacerbated over time, along with vehicles that had pre-existing damage. Seasoned accident attorneys know how to handle these situations and work with insurance adjusters to try and resolve claims without lawsuits. They also know when to proceed to court and file a lawsuit, too.
Tell the Insurance Companies, You’re Going to Hale
Were you driving a damaged vehicle when you were in a Sarasota car accident, or a car accident elsewhere? Talk to the experienced Sarasota attorneys at Hale Law. Some car wrecks lead to insurance negotiations which can be very complex. Our experienced attorneys will help you navigate those negotiations and work to secure the maximum compensation amount for you. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees or costs to you if we are unable to recover compensation. For a free consultation, call anytime at 941-735-4529.
https://halelaw.com/whiplash-injuries-after-sarasota-accidents/
