Auto accidents are a common occurrence in Florida. Hundreds of thousands of people are involved in car accidents each year, and many of them suffer severe injuries. If you have ever been in an accident, you may be aware of the stress involved in dealing with the aftermath. You may need to deal with hefty hospital bills as you recover from your injuries and handle the repair costs for your car.
If you were not the at-fault driver and always drive prudently, dealing with a car accident can be even more frustrating as you have likely done everything to avoid an issue. You may find yourself wondering about the options you can explore after a car accident, when you should file a claim with the insurance company, whether you should hire a lawyer, and a host of other issues.
It is crucial to be well aware of all the deadlines for various issues when dealing with a car accident in Florida to protect your right to full and fair compensation for the losses you have incurred. Today’s post will be your guide to understanding a crucial deadline: Filing a claim with your auto insurance company.
What Happens During the Aftermath of a Boynton Beach Auto Accident?
You need to handle several things immediately after being involved in a car accident. Calling the authorities on the scene of the accident is the first and most crucial step after an accident, especially if it is a severe crash so that a report can be filed. You can use the police statement later on after they investigate the scene.
Florida is a no-fault state, which means every motorist is supposed to seek financial help by filing a claim with their insurance provider. Florida’s no-fault law requires every motorist to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000 and $10,000 in property damage. This way, any motorist involved in a car accident can seek compensation from their insurance company without filing a case against the other driver.
The property damage insurance can come in handy if you are the at-fault driver in an accident and are liable to cover the property damage sustained by the other driver. If you are not the at-fault driver, your PIP coverage should compensate you for your medical bills (but not the property damage). You will have to purchase collision coverage if you want financial assistance in recovering the damages to your car.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim with My Insurance Company?
Filing a claim with your insurance company on time is critical to protect your right to seeking full and fair compensation. Fortunately, the deadline allows you four years from the date of the accident to file a claim with your insurance company. Although this may seem as enough time, if you wait too long and the deadline passes, the insurance company will most likely dismiss your claim, and the court will be incapable of helping you in such a scenario.
The four-year deadline makes things easier for you because you will have time to focus on your recovery and other immediate matters before you begin the claim. However, it is advisable to file a claim with your insurance company as quickly as possible after the crash.
Settling an auto insurance claim can be a lengthy process depending on the complexity of the car accident. It is ideal to start the ball rolling on the entire process as early as you can. This way, your lawyer will have ample time to gather evidence to build a strong case.
There may be a possibility that your case qualifies for being taken out of Florida’s no-fault system, allowing you to file a third-party lawsuit against the other driver. Having a lawyer involved and starting the process to seek full compensation for your losses immediately after the accident can help you explore all your legal options from the start.
You should note that PIP coverage does not always compensate you for 100% of the medical bills resulting from the car crash. A qualified attorney experienced in dealing with auto accident cases can negotiate with your insurance company so that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Let Qualified Boynton Beach Car Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
It is important to be quick in finding the right legal counsel to deal with your car accident claim with the insurance company. Skilled lawyers who have plenty of experience dealing with complex car accident cases can play an essential part in helping you seek compensation.
Whether your case warrants seeking additional compensation from your insurance policy or stepping out of Florida’s no-fault system, an attorney will be well-equipped to give you the right guidance in a timely manner. Wasting time in the aftermath of a car accident can be a recipe for disaster for your auto insurance claim because adjusters will devalue or dismiss your claim if too much time passes.
Immediately taking on the help of qualified car accident lawyers can help you being the legal process and improve your chances of a favorable and fair outcome.
If you have been involved in a car accident case and you are facing trouble dealing with your insurance company, consider contacting Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers. Their team of Boynton Beach car accident lawyers has a proven track record for delivering successful results for their clients’ car accident cases without missing essential deadlines.