Personal injury and car accident attorneys
Why medical attention should still be sought
Even after a relatively “minor” car accident, you may not immediately detect any obvious injuries that require medical attention. Therefore, you may decline medical treatment and choose not visit a doctor, assuming you’re not injured. The reality is, however, that many injuries may be sustained even in low-speed accidents that cause little visible vehicle damage.
Injuries such as whiplash, strains to the spinal cord, head trauma, or even internal bleeding may not present quickly. Especially in the case of internal bleeding, failing to immediately seek proper medical attention could cause serious complications and even death. Even if you do not feel injured, you should still seek medical attention after your accident to make sure that you are unharmed and free of less obvious injuries.
Finally, it’s important to remember that immediately seeking medical attention and identifying the nature of any injuries caused by the accident could be crucial in pursuing any compensation from the other party or their insurer as the medical professionals who examine you will be able to properly document whatever injuries you may have.
Why is a personal injury attorney necessary for a “minor” accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, even one with relatively minor injuries or little visible vehicle damage, you should still consult with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney to discuss your accident. The lawyer can explain both personal injury and liability while helping you decide whether you need legal representation for the accident. The attorney can also explain your rights as a car accident victim and review any accident reports, insurance records, or medical bills.
Often, such legal representation may be needed to help you file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for any damage to your vehicle or to cover medical expenses. An attorney can help determine the likelihood of a settlement with the other party or insurer, as well as what that settlement could be before negotiating a settlement with the insurer.
If you choose to proceed without a personal injury attorney, you may receive much less compensation than what you could have negotiated through the help of an experienced lawyer. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working full-time to ensure the insurer pays as little as possible in settlements. The insurer could pressure you to quickly settle before you may even know the true extent of your injuries. Because many lack the training or experience necessary to successfully negotiate with an insurer, they may ultimately fare worse than if they had hired an experienced car accident attorney to pursue their claim.
Navigating the insurance claims process
If you have been in a car accident caused by the other person, you may begin an insurance claims process to pursue the compensation you deserve. An attorney can help guide you through this process, which includes:
Can I file a car insurance claim without a police report?
Understand when a police report is and isn’t required in Florida.
How do I file a car accident claim?
The first step is for your experienced personal injury attorney to communicate with the insurer and inform them that the accident occurred. Filing a claim with the other party’s insurer will then begin the insurance claims process. Your attorney will also explain why a claim should also be filed with your own carrier, particularly if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Providing evidence to support your claim
Next, your attorney may begin providing evidence to the insurer to support your compensation claim, such as repair bills, proof your vehicle was totaled in the accident, medical bills, proof of any lost income, accident reports, and other documentation to support your claim and the amount of compensation being demanded.
How do I negotiate a settlement?
Finally, an attorney can help you negotiate a settlement with the insurer. Generally, your attorney will make an initial settlement offer which will often be rejected while a counteroffer is made by the insurer. The two sides will then negotiate back and forth until a potential settlement agreement is reached. During this time, your attorney may provide additional support for your claim, such as witness statements, video of the accident, or updated medical bills and records. Meanwhile, the insurer may attempt to dispute their insured’s liability or the extent of your injuries and damages. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may have to go to trial.
How Redondo Law can help
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, the damage done to your vehicle or property, or the insurance situation, you should contact an experienced Florida car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The other person’s insurer will immediately begin working to devalue your claim and reduce costs as much as possible as soon as they are notified of the accident.
By hiring a skilled personal injury attorney like Mike Redondo and the team at Redondo Law, you can immediately level the playing field and begin working towards receiving the compensation you may be entitled to. Redondo Law Firm can help you resume your life while Mike Redondo handles your claim and investigates the accident, gathering evidence to support your claim, negotiating with the insurer, and going to trial if necessary, to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact Redondo Law today!
