What to Expect When Filing a Florida Personal Injury Claim
If you were injured in a Florida accident, you may need to file a personal injury claim to secure the financial compensation needed to pay hospital bills and recover from lost income. A claim is a way to hold the person or entity who was negligent responsible for your injuries and the expenses you incurred as a result of being hurt. If you are unsure how to file a claim or have questions about what to expect, talk to a Sarasota personal injury attorney.
Seeing a Doctor and Negotiating with Insurance Companies
After an accident, the first step is to have your injuries assessed by a healthcare professional. This is needed in order to secure the correct treatment and heal properly. Also, medical records are important documents for supporting a strong personal injury claim.
Once you have your treatment plan, it is time to talk to an attorney. A seasoned lawyer will be able to negotiate with insurance adjusters for you. Legal professionals know what amount is fair and will push back against insurance companies who are trying to reduce or deny a claim.
If the injury is severe and required multiple hospital stays, negotiations can be extremely complex. When the goal is securing a maximum settlement amount, connect with an attorney who has experience doing so. Lawyers can be especially helpful when there is need for long-term care or when there will be more treatment in the future. A settlement amount must include the costs of those upcoming medical needs in order to be truly fair.
Gathering Documentation After Setting Up a Claim
When it is time to move forward, your Sarasota personal injury attorney will contact both the person or the entity who is being held liable and their insurance company. The first conversation will be letting these parties know a claim will be filed. Then, information will be gathered to prove the claim. The following could be included in the fact gathering process:
- Doctor and medical records
- Treatment plans and recovery notes
- Invoices indicating payment due for medical treatments
- Tally of lost income
- Verification of wages
- Police and accident reports
- Photos and videos of the event or the accident site
- Witness accounts
- Any other documentation that illustrates the event
If there is no way to land on an amount both parties can agree to after a period of settlement offers and counter offers, litigation may be needed. This could happen a couple of ways, depending on the situation. If there is a bench trial, a judge will decide the case. When a jury is present, they will determine if a defendant was in fact liable, and if they were, what damage amount a plaintiff should receive.
When Another Is Negligent, Unleash Hale
Do you want to file a personal injury claim after a Florida accident but are not sure where to start? The Sarasota attorneys at Hale Law can help. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees or costs if we are unable to recover compensation. For a free consultation, call at 941-735-4529.
https://halelaw.com/causes-of-florida-boat-accidents-and-injuries/
