After being injured in a car accident, one of the first steps that you will take is submitting your information to your insurance company. Dealing with insurance might not always be easy, as many people are not familiar with the insurance process and it can come with immense confusion. On top of the fact that insurance can be a complex process, some insurance companies might try to cut corners and offer you less than you deserve. Because there are many aspects that might take you by surprise in this process, it is important that you have a skilled legal advocate on your side.

By understanding some tips for dealing with the insurance companies, you can ensure that your claim is always being taken seriously. It is important that you and your attorney use a watchful eye when dealing with these big-name companies, as they are sometimes known to use deceptive practices with claims.

How to Handle Insurance Companies

Never Befriend: The insurance adjuster working your claim might try to come off as a friendly person who is on your side. However, this is a strategy that they use to get you to trust them so that they might be able to use your words against you later on in your claim. The insurance company only works for their best interests and not yours. You need to always be careful with what you say and what you choose to share with the adjuster because they could use it to pay out less for your claim.

Retain Legal Help: Nobody should move forward with a legal claim without the help of a personal injury attorney after a car accident. Injury attorneys are well-versed in the many laws in Florida and will stop at nothing to ensure that your rights are protected after a serious car accident. On top of that, attorneys have experience dealing with insurance adjusters. Having an attorney on your side can help you protect your rights.

Abide by Timelines: Insurance companies will generally have deadlines that you must meet. This means that you will have to gather and submit certain information with the insurance company by certain time limitations or else you could miss out on your chance for recovery. All claims must also be filed before the statute of limitations runs out.

Expert Negotiations: You should never attempt to negotiate on your own, which is another reason why it is essential to have a skilled attorney on your side. Insurance companies are trained to entice you with the first offer they put out, which is also the minimum offer. Having an attorney to negotiate for you can help you receive more in compensation so that you can pay for all of the damages you have sustained. 

Determine All Damages: You should always be prepared to go into negotiations with the full extent of your damages in mind. By gathering aspects like medical records, wage records, and the costs of prescriptions, you can find out how much you believe you are owed based on the evidence and supporting documentation that you have. Documentation is extremely important and should be conducted before you negotiate what you believe your claim is worth.

How an Accident Attorney in Florida Can Help 

Because working with the insurance company might not be an easy thing to endure, it is important that you have legal help by your side every step of the way. You may find that you are entitled to a wide array of financial aspects, which means that you should never stand alone after an accident that is not your fault. Working with a Florida car accident attorney on your personal injury claim is one of the best decisions that you can make. If you have suffered losses due to an accident and you are unsure of where to turn, please contact our Florida accident attorneys at Sheftall & Associates at (904) 569-6025 for more information.