Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
If you’re in a car accident in Hollywood or anywhere in Florida, you’re required to tell your insurance company. You’ll also probably file a claim. When car owners contact Flaxman Law Group after an accident, many are worried because they aren’t getting the coverage they expect after faithfully paying their insurance premiums.
In some cases, clients call our team because they’re worried about paying the bills after a car crash. The good news is that our Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood offices are here to offer you a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a car accident. Contact us and let’s discuss whether you have any options for seeking compensation.
Filing a Car Accident Insurance Claim in Hollywood
Before you’re ever in a collision and need to file a claim, it’s a good idea to review your insurance policy so you understand what is and isn’t covered. While every car insurance policy is different, Florida law requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance (PIP) coverage, which covers your medical costs in the event of an accident. Depending on your policy, you may also have uninsured/underinsured driver coverage, which can cover you if you’re in a hit-and-run or are in a crash with a driver who has no insurance. Knowing when you’re covered (and for how much) helps you understand what you can expect from your insurer in the event of a collision.
The good news is that filing a car insurance claim in Hollywood is very simple. Florida is a no-fault state, so when you’re in a car accident, you will contact your own insurer to file a claim. Insurers generally have 24-hour hotlines you can call to make a claim and a representative from the company will lead you through the process.
What You Need to Know About Florida Car Insurance
While reaching your insurance company can be quick, getting fair compensation for your injuries by working with your insurer isn’t always easy. There are a few issues drivers run into:
- The minimum for PIP is $10,000, which is what most drivers get to keep premiums down. For severe injuries, this is not enough to cover medical care.
- Insurance companies may seek to minimize your claim or settle quickly, before you have a full diagnosis. This can mean you end up with less money than you should—and you’re stuck having to pay the rest of your costs out of pocket.
- Your insurance will not cover property and pain and suffering, which again means you end up with less than you should.
Ultimately, insurance companies are for-profit businesses and must make a profit for their shareholders. This means that they have an interest in paying less than the fullest amount possible. In addition, insurance companies process many claims and try to do so quickly. This can mean important details about your injuries get missed.
Fortunately, if another driver’s negligence (or any other party’s negligence) caused your injuries, you may be able to file an injury claim to seek compensation. This can include compensation for lost wages, medical bills, incidental costs, property damage, and pain and suffering.
However, it’s important to note that you need to act quickly if you want to file a lawsuit. Once you sign paperwork with your insurance company or even make a full statement to your insurance company, you may have already signed away your rights or harmed your case. For this reason, it’s important to talk to a Hollywood car accident claims lawyer as soon as possible—they can guide you about what to say and do to protect your rights.
Fortunately, the father-son attorney team at Flaxman Law Group have over 50 years of combined experience dealing with injury claims and car insurance companies. In fact, Charles Flaxman worked in the insurance industry for ten years before dedicating his life to helping those who have been injured and Steven Flaxman also has experience representing insurance companies. This allows our family-based legal team to understand how insurance companies act, and we put this knowledge to work on your claim. If you’ve been injured, contact us today for a free consultation with a Hollywood car accident claims attorney. Let’s explore whether you might have a claim.