If you live in Florida, auto accident insurance is mandatory. Under PIP, your insurance is to pay for your damages; the other party’s insurance is to pay for their own damage. Yet, sometimes when you file a valid claim, the insurance company will decide to either compensate you minimally or even deny it. This is one reason why you need to have an auto accident lawyer handle your claim. If nothing else, he or she possesses a complete understanding of the system.
Factors Affecting Your Insurance Claim for an Auto Accident
When it comes time to prepare your paperwork for your insurance claim, are you aware of the variables at work? Do you understand what work needs to be filed and by when? An auto accident lawyer does. He or she will make certain you understand such things as:
1. PIP: PIP stands for personal injury protection. An auto accident lawyer can look at your case and insurance. He or she will note how much your policy is supposed to cover. What exactly it includes. What is involved if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
2. Statute of Limitations: Personal injury cases have a statute of limitation. This means you must file the paperwork and the claim within a certain time frame. Florida has a maximum of four years to file a personal injury claim. However, your lawyer knows you need to seek treatment for your injuries under PIP within 14 days or your claim can be denied.
3. Comparative Negligence Law: Florida has put into place a law that is referred to as “pure comparative negligence rule.” Under this law, the court can decide whether the injured person bears a certain amount of the fault for the accident. If the court and insurance company decide he or she is to some extent at fault for the car accident, the level of compensation will be decreased accordingly.
An auto accident attorney can guide you through this difficult part of the process. He or she will be there to make certain you understand exactly what is involved in going forward if the insurance company or companies deny your claim.
Be Proactive: Consult an Auto Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, do not hesitate to talk to a lawyer. In Florida, the role of insurance to cover your damages and personal injuries may be more complex than you first thought. The situation may be complicated by the position of your insurance company and the circumstances surrounding the accident. You can rely on the services of an auto accident lawyer
