Auto Accident Injury Claim Settlement Tips

A bodily injury claim comes about when through the negligence or fault of another you are hurt.  The majority of the time you will deal with the insurance of the person or company that injured you (if they have insurance), but sometimes you will be dealing with your own insurance company if that person didn't carry liability insurance.  You'll be making an uninsured bodily injury claim.  The process is the same, except that you will be settling against your own insurance company.

There are several ways to handle and settle a bodily injury claims.  However, there are certain things you can do to get the most and settle for what you deserve.

Tip 1

Your bodily injury claim starts when you go in to the doctor.  If you're in an auto accident and you believe you are injured, it is wise to go in and get checked out in the ER.  In Florida, you are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) in your policy.  The hospital and doctor bills will be paid by your own insurance company first, regardless of fault in the accident, up to $10,000.

Going in to the ER will help you show that your injuries deserve immediate medical attention.

Go to the ER as soon as you can, even if that is 2 or 3 days after the car crash, as often that's when the pain is at its worst.

Tip 2

Be honest in revealing all of your symptoms to the emergency room doctor.  The doctor and ER nurse will take notes about your symptoms.  If you forget or for whatever reason you do not disclose this information, then your complete symptoms will never be noted in the hospital chart.

You will find that insurance adjusters will review these records very closely and will attempt to try and lessen the value of your injury by informing you that you did not report that type of injury or symptom or pain "at the emergency room."

Tip3

Be careful with what you say.  Doctors like to ask open questions like "how are you doing?" And, "how was your weekend?"  Many patients just start talking about how they went golfing, mowed the lawn, etc.  All of these activities will be reported on the medical records.

The insurance adjuster will review those and will point out that on such and such date you said that you went sailing, etc.  This suggests that you were not hurt too bad to prevent you from going out.

Accordingly, be honest, but make sure you are being complete. So, if you did engage in an activity but did so with pain, or with limits, then make sure the doctor or nurse who is asking you questions knows about that pain and your limits.

Tip 4

Ask the emergency doctor for a work release even if believe you don't believe you will need one.  Most neck strain and sprain injuries, also known acceleration-deceleration injury, or the old term "whiplash," do not result in pain until the next day or two.

Coming back in to see a doctor to give you a work release could be a hassle; however, if you ask for it, most doctors are willing to give it to you on the spot.  If you don't need it, then that's great.  But, if you do, you'll be happy you have one.

This also helps you show that the doctors felt that your injury could keep you away from your work location.  This can be strong proof that your injury was substantial and should increase the value of a pain and suffering award.
 
Tip 5

Ask the doctor for a referral.  Emergency doctors will only see you because of an emergency car crash.  They will not continue treating you outside of the ER.

Insurance adjusters are wary of folks who just go directly to a chiropractor or physical therapist.  So ask for a referral or go to your primary care and ask for a referral there.

Tip 6

Go to that doctor.  It's really} important that you follow up with the doctor soon after the initial ER visit.  Any delay could make things worse for your neck pain or back injury.  Be sure to express all of your symptoms, even depression (if it's present).  Adjusters will review those medical records and will find exactly what you tell the doctor.  If you keep your pain or discomfort silent, then the adjuster will assume that you didn't have any.
 
Tip 7

Stick to your treatment schedule.  If you start skipping dates and not doing everything in your power to get better, then adjusters will reduce the value of your claim.  Adjusters will justify gaps in treatment as an injury that wasn't significant.  If you were in severe pain, then you would have gone to the doctor.

Accident Injury Lawyer

Remember, when dealing with insurance companies, documentation of your damages are critical to obtaining a fair settlement of your accident injury claim.

Have you been getting anywhere with your auto accident injury claim? Do you need legal help to move your car crash forward, and obtain a fair settlement, instead a lowball insurance company offer?

Were you seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident?  Did this motor vehicle accident cause your injury, or aggravate an existing problem?  Has a doctor told you that you have a permanent injury? If so, then protect your legal rights by contacting experienced injury lawyers and accident attorneys. You can contact us by email, online chat, or by phone.

After your free consultation, if we agree to handle your case, then we will promptly move your accident claim forward. We will not waste time by handing your case file to non-attorney staff or assistant to process.  An experienced accident attorney will personally handle your claim.  We are experienced in accidents, litigation, and trial.

If your injuries are indeed serious and permanent, and you need compensation to make up for your physical and mental pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, medical bills (past and future), wage loss (past and future), rehabilitation costs, then we may be able to help you recover your damages.  Do not delay, contact us to start pursuing justice for you today.

We're Here to Help - Throughout Florida and Beyond

For dedication and experience, contact our injury law firm.  We proudly serve deserving clients and their families who are seeking to overcome the challenges of serious personal injury and wrongful death throughout Florida and beyond in other States.

Locally, we are also proud to serve our neighbors throughout Southwest Florida, including those in Arcadia, Alva, Avon Park, Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Charlotte County, Clewiston, Collier County, Desoto County, Englewood, Felda, Fort Myers, Ft. Myers, Glades County, Golden Gate, Hardee County, Hendry County, Highlands County, Immokalee, La Belle, Labelle, Lake Placid, Lee County, Lehigh, Lehigh Acres, Manatee County, Moore Haven, Naples, Nokomis, North Port, Osprey, Palmdale, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, Sebring, Venice, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs.

We provide aggressive, prompt, and ethical advocacy on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury, accident injury, and wrongful death. Contact us today.

Search Terms accident lawyer injury florida fort myers cape coral naples lehigh acres port charlotte