Posted by Patrick Moreau on August 2, 2020 in Legal
Personal injury guidance in Florida? While alcohol may be the most common cause of impairment for drivers in Orlando, Florida, it is not the only intoxicating substance. Drugged driving also impairs drivers and causes car accidents, with 617 confirmed cases in Florida during 2016. Drugged driving does not just include illegal drugs such as marijuana or cocaine. It can also include prescription drugs, even when the driver is prescribed the medication and following the doctor’s orders. If the prescription still impairs the driver, then it is unreasonable for him or her to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and put the lives and wellbeing of other Floridians at risk.
It is standard practice for insurance adjusters to begin negotiations by first offering a very low settlement amount — or, sometimes, denying liability altogether. With this tactic, the adjuster is trying to find out whether you understand what your claim is worth and to see if you are so impatient to get some money that you will take any amount. When a first offer is made, your response should depend on whether it is a reasonable offer but too low or whether it is so low that it is just a tactic to see if you know what you are doing. If the offer is reasonable, you can immediately make a counteroffer that is a little bit lower than your demand letter amount. That shows the adjuster that you, too, are being reasonable and are willing to compromise. A little more bargaining should quickly get you to a final settlement amount you both think is fair. In these negotiations, don’t bother to go over all the facts again. Just emphasize the strongest points in your favor — for example, that the insured was completely at fault.
You may be entitled to other insurance benefits. If you have PIP, auto med pay, group or private health insurance or are covered under a spouse’s or parent’s insurance, your attorney can coordinate submission of all collateral insurance claims to maximize your total recovery. Never settle your claim before its time. It sometimes takes many months to settle a claim. Occasionally a claim may take a year or longer to be resolved. In fact, it is not in the accident victim’s best interest to settle certain types of claims too soon because it often takes a long time for serious injuries to become evident or for treatment or surgery to provide the maximum benefit to the injured party.
Have you been injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. Through the at-fault party’s insurance company, you may be able to negotiate a personal injury settlement for your physical, psychological, and financial damages. You also have the option of filing a civil lawsuit and pursuing your claim in court. However, negotiating a settlement means getting compensation sooner, without the time, hassle, and cost of a trial.
Florida has a relatively short statute of limitations, the legal term for the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit. Under state law, a victim of a car accident caused by a negligent driver must file a lawsuit within four years of the accident. Because time is of the essence in these types of cases, it is important for you to contact a car accident attorney in Orlando to discuss any possible legal options that may be available to you. To reach out to a knowledgeable attorney, contact Bengal Law at 407-315-8000. Read additional information on Bengal Law: Florida Accident Lawyers & Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC.
A personal injury can bring losses both immediately and long into the future. You might not fully recover from your injuries before your case goes to trial. It’s crucial to make considerations about future recovery when negotiating a settlement amount. You can include future damages as a part of your claim. In some cases, future damages might even comprise the majority of your losses. You need to work with medical professionals to document these losses and include them in your claim.