If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident and you can’t go to work there’s that question, “How do I get paid after a car accident?“, as well as, many other things on your mind such as how to pay your bills, medical expenses or everyday expenses. Getting paid after an accident can often be a very slow process and you need to know what to do after an accident occurred.
Getting injured in a car accident can be a very stressful and traumatic experience for everyone. You never know when this might happen and when your life might get complicated. One minute you may be enjoying your ride through Tampa Florida, the other, you may be waiting in an emergency room to be checked.
Protect your interests
There are several steps you may take after an accident has occurred to protect your interests. Whatever happened and whoever caused the accident, don’t rush to admit it was, perhaps, your fault. Admitting that it happened because of your negligent behavior can jeopardize your liability claim against the other driver. This is a fact even if you’re wrong about it and it wasn’t your fault.
Another important thing to have in mind is to document as much as possible. Take your mobile phone and take as many photos of the accident, license plates, other driver’s insurance card, and driving license. If there are any witnesses around the scene of the accident, you should take their contact information.
Also, you should seek medical attention immediately after the accident, no matter if you think you’re not injured at all.
Personal injury protection benefits
Personal Injury Protection (PIP), or “No-Fault” car insurance, is mandated by the state of Florida for all drivers to carry. PIP pays for injuries you sustain in an accident regardless of who was at fault in the accident. PIP covers medical costs, lost wages and death benefits up to $10,000.
Getting paid from the other driver’s insurance carrier
No-fault states like Florida institute PIP laws to reduce the number of people suing each other over damages. Whenever an injured party’s insurance is unable to cover all of the expenses associated with an automobile accident, he or she seeks to recover through alternative means. Many people turn to the court system to recover through litigation and adversarial means.
The medical conditions that allow you to make a liability claim or file a lawsuit include: significant, permanent loss of an important bodily function; permanent injury, other than scarring or disfigurement; significant, permanent scarring or disfigurement; and death.
Collision damage
If you have collision coverage, your insurer will let you know how the evaluation process works. The appraiser will evaluate the damages and the claim representative will use the assessment as the basis for paying your claim.
Settling your claim
If you and your legal representative decide to make a liability claim, don’t expect that it will go smoothly because the other driver’s insurance company will do anything to save money and pay you as little as possible.
If they succeed to prove that their insured wasn’t negligent, they may refuse to pay any of the damages.
You and your injury attorney may present documentation and evidence to make them reconsider their decision. If they still don’t offer you a fair settlement, you have other options.
File a lawsuit
When the other driver’s insurance company denies liability for your accident, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will never receive a settlement. Once you prove you’ve met a tort threshold, you can file a lawsuit. When you sue, you go through a far more complicated process than simply presenting a claim. This is why you should hire an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the legal system and knows all the complications that may occur.
Attorney Dan Zohar is your best chance of receiving a fair settlement at court. Contact Dan and he will provide any help necessary! DON’T DELAY, CALL TODAY (800) 963-3311 TOLL-FREE. OUR PHONES ARE ANSWERED 24/7.