Accidents caused by someone else’s negligent behavior often result in injuries, damages, and suffering you should not have to deal with. Unfortunately, reckless drivers, negligent property owners, and untrained or distracted professionals can all lead to accidents warranting a Florida personal injury claim. When you are seeking compensation for the damages and losses you incurred from an accident in South Florida due to another’s negligence, a Miami personal injury attorney can be of help.
There are many steps to take when filing a Florida personal injury claim and several chances for something to jeopardize your case. The guidance of a Miami personal injury attorney can be critical in your claim and help you avoid unfair settlements or claim denials. When seeking to file a Florida personal injury claim, you should be aware of the dos and don’ts of the process.
The Don’ts: What to Avoid During Your Florida Personal Injury Claim
The first thing to avoid when you have been in an accident is saying too much. Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning the more evidence against you for an accident being your fault, the lower your settlement will be, as your degree of fault will be deducted from any settlement you may recover. You should avoid talking to anyone about who was at fault for the accident until you speak with a Miami personal injury attorney.
As for evidence of your accident and injuries, never throw away or destroy any damaged property involved. This includes damaged clothing, broken personal items, and even your totaled vehicle. All of this evidence may be necessary later on in your case to prove fault in your Florida personal injury claim.
While you should seek medical attention for immediately apparent injuries, don’t avoid seeking medical attention for any non-critical reasons as well. Even if you feel like you were just shaken up and the aches and pains will go away with time, you should never deny medical evaluation after an accident. You may have a more serious condition developing and not be aware which can cause problems down the line if you need to file a Florida personal injury claim.
As for paperwork, don’t sign any release forms or waivers until they are reviewed by your Miami personal injury attorney. You should also never accept a first settlement before having it reviewed by your lawyer as it is usually an attempt by the insurance company to get you to accept a quick fix to your bills and does not take into consideration your long-term injury costs. Also, do not accept any “final payment” check unless you discussed with your Miami criminal defense attorney that this is okay to do.
The Dos: How to Help Settle Your Florida Personal Injury Claim
While it may seem like there are numerous ways you can potentially risk your Florida personal injury claim, there are also steps you can take to help preserve your claim and make it easier for both you and your Miami personal injury attorney to successfully resolve it.
The best thing you can do from the start is establish your Florida personal injury claim with your Miami personal injury attorney. The sooner your attorney is involved in your case, the more familiar he or she will be with all the details. You will need your Miami personal injury attorney’s guidance immediately, as the insurance company will be quick to try to get you to accept a low settlement.
You can start improving your chances at a fair settlement of your Florida personal injury claim right at the moment of your accident. Evidence of the conditions leading to your injuries is critical when developing your claim and you should document the accident scene as best you can. Make sure you collect photographs, witness contact information, and file a police report to create an initial record of the accident.
Honesty is the best policy and you need to be honest about the accident and your injuries to all parties involved. Even though you should avoid saying too much to the insurance adjusters, you do need to be honest about what they ask you. Also you need to tell your doctors about anything you think is “off” about how you feel after your accident. Lying to your doctor about aches and pains or the severity of a condition can only lead to more serious complications later on.
Medical care is another big “do” on your list of ways to help your Florida personal injury claim. Seek immediate medical attention after your accident to establish a baseline for your medical damages. Early establishment of a medical record following your accident will be of great help as your Miami personal injury attorney works on your claim. You also need to follow your doctor’s orders, including any ongoing medical care or therapy. Failure to do so may demonstrate to the insurance company you aren’t taking your injuries seriously and gives the company ammunition to deny or reduce your claim.
Make sure throughout the entire process you are keeping good records of everything relating to your Florida personal injury claim. While your Miami personal injury attorney can help you with maintaining documentation and obtaining files, it’s always good to have your own records to make sure you don’t miss any critical pieces of evidence necessary to resolving your case.
Finding a Miami Personal Injury Attorney
No matter what type of accident you have been involved in, you will want to seek compensation for your damages and suffering caused by another’s negligence. When it comes to choosing an attorney, you can’t afford to play a game of chance. Picking a Miami personal injury attorney based on a colorful bus ad or a touching TV commercial won’t necessarily put you in touch with the attorney best suited for your case.
Florida injury attorney Theodore Babbitt has spent years building his practice and growing his network of trusted colleagues and well-respected lawyers. Simply fill out our online form, and Mr. Babbitt will personally review your story to see if you have a valid Florida personal injury claim. He will then put you in touch with the attorney best-suited to handle your case. There is no cost to get started – 1-877-751-8087.