Seven Signs You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Auto Accident
Florida personal injury law allows people injured in accidents through no fault of their own to seek compensation from the responsible person(s) or entity. However, because blame in an accident isn’t always readily apparent, and not everyone is familiar with personal injury law, some injured people fail to take advantage of their rights to seek compensation.
This holds true with all segments of personal injury law, whether slip and fall, defective product, premises liability, medical malpractice, workplace accident, or motor vehicle accident. Given that more than 250,000 people were injured in Florida motor vehicle accidents in 2021, according to Florida Highway Safety statistics, this holds especially true with injuries sustained in traffic accidents.
Florida’s no-fault auto insurance Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage can also make injured parties hesitant about seeking compensation. While it provides up to $10,000 in coverage to those injured in auto accidents, no matter who’s at fault, it often fails to provide complete compensation. And those injured don’t always realize they have the legal right to seek additional damages, as warranted.
With so much misunderstanding about personal injury law in relation to motor vehicle accidents, the auto accident specialists at Tallahassee’s Akbar Thomas Law have put together this rundown on seven signs that might indicate you should consult with a personal injury lawyer after being injured in a traffic accident.
#1. You Were Seriously Injured
Serious injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents don’t just affect your health; they can ruin you financially. Depending on the injuries suffered, medical expenses can far exceed compensation provided by PIP or your own health insurance coverage. Such injuries might be permanently disabling and cause extensive ongoing medical costs that may be uncovered by insurance. And these healthcare costs are compounded by the degree to which the injuries prevent you from working or decrease your earning potential.
If you weren’t at fault for the accident, you need to seek your legal right to seek compensation. An experienced auto accident liability lawyer can help you estimate your past, current, and future financial damages and strategize the best means of securing just compensation for them. And know that Florida law has a comparative negligence rule that allows you to seek damages even if both parties were at fault.
#2. The Other Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in America, and many Florida drivers do not carry enough insurance to cover potential losses incurred by others they might injure. Recovering just compensation from insurance companies in such cases is usually challenging, but a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the process and investigate all avenues for successfully securing damages.
#3. The Insurance Company is Not Offering You a Fair Settlement
Floridians pay some of the highest automobile insurance premiums in the country, and the state leads the nation in the number of lawsuits filed in challenge to insurer’s rejected and underpaid claims. Auto insurers are highly adept at working the insurance system and may bend the rules in ways that benefit them to the detriment of their clients. Skilled personal injury lawyers know all the tricks insurers use to deny or lowball claims. They can help ensure that an insurance company addresses your claim fairly and negotiate or litigate accordingly to secure your due compensation.
#4. Your Case Seems Especially Complex
If it is unclear what caused the motor vehicle accident that led to your injuries, a personal injury lawyer can help investigate the crash to determine how it happened. Insurance companies will also investigate the accident and may be motivated to assign you as much fault as possible. By hiring a skilled lawyer, you can ensure that the accident details are fully and fairly examined and enhance your ability to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
#5. Your Injuries Are Causing Significant Financial Difficulties
If your motor vehicle accident injuries are preventing you from working and overwhelming you with medical bills, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer. It may be unclear when you can return to work, and those medical bills will likely keep piling up. If you do not secure reasonable compensation from insurers, the accident could become financially ruinous. Experienced personal injury lawyers can determine the cause of the accident and help account for and secure the compensation you should be due for your injuries. And payment may go well beyond medical expenses to include:
- Lost wages and future lost earnings
- Property damage expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
#6. The Insurance Adjuster Says You Don’t Need a Lawyer
While usually appearing to work on your behalf, an insurance claims adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. Thus, if they inform you that you do not need a lawyer, don’t hesitate to second-guess their advice. In some situations, an adjuster may try to get you to agree to a lowball settlement before you realize how extensive your financial damages are. A competent personal injury lawyer can best determine the total value of your claim and work on your behalf to secure it from the insurance company.
#7. You’re Confused About Filing Deadlines
Given the trauma of injury, many auto accident victims are confused about the insurance claim process and filing deadlines to secure compensation. Meeting claims deadlines is crucial, as missing them can result in denying your claims. The deadline for securing insurance benefits is within 14 days of the accident, and you have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer can ensure that you meet these and other deadlines that might arise as you pursue your case.
Injured in an Auto Accident?—Consult with Akbar Thomas Law
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident through no or limited fault of your own, consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after receiving medical care. With more than two decades of auto accident practice, Akbar Thomas Law’s personal injury legal team is highly adept at helping Tallahassee-area motor vehicle accident victims receive full and just compensation for their injuries. Contact us today at 850-383-0000 or start an online conversation with our chatbot assistant.
Meta:
Seven Signs You Should Consult With An Auto Accident Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers at Tallahassee-based Akbar Thomas Law detail seven reasons that might indicate that you should consult with an auto accident lawyer.
