Our Fort Lauderdale Car Insurance Claim Lawyer Helps Get You a Fair Settlement 

Due to Florida’s motor vehicle insurance laws, most people involved in car accidents expect their insurance and possibly another driver’s insurance to compensate them for their losses. However, insurance is a big business, and the factors involved in receiving compensation are complicated. If you have a question or a problem with a claim, an experienced Fort Lauderdale car insurance lawyer at  Maus Law Firm is ready to help. You can contact us online or by phone at 855-999-5297.

There May Be Many Parties Involved in a Car Accident Case

When someone’s mistake causes you or a loved one to suffer injuries, you expect the responsible party to be held accountable in some way. Many times, however, there is more than one person at fault for causing an auto accident, and sometimes the parties involved include individuals and organizations that you might not expect.

When you work with a knowledgeable accident claims lawyer, your legal advisor can investigate to determine who was involved, what factors caused the accident, and which people or entities can ultimately be held liable and required to pay compensation for your losses.

Potentially responsible parties could include:

• Drivers of other vehicles involved in the collision
• The owners of other vehicles 
• The employer of another driver 
• A rideshare company or car rental agency
• The companies responsible for maintaining the vehicles involved
• Volunteer organizations or businesses connected with others 
• Individuals or businesses who created the hazardous conditions on the road

It is often necessary to analyze the accident scene in detail to determine all the parties responsible. For instance, a property owner in the area might have hired a tree maintenance company that dropped branches in the road that led a car to swerve and cause an accident.

In addition to reviewing the accident scene, it is important to look into the situations of others involved. If, for example, the other driver was participating in a volunteer activity, the volunteer organization’s insurance may cover their involvement in the accident.

Dealing with Auto Insurance Companies After a Car Accident

After you’ve been in a car accident, no one needs to tell you how physically and emotionally traumatic the experience can be. In addition to serious physical injuries, you may be suffering from severe emotional damage that could take even longer to heal. On top of that, you have vehicle damage that leaves you without vital transportation. At this point, the last thing you want to deal with is a confusing and frustrating insurance claims process.

At Maus Law Firm, we understand. We deal with insurers all the time, and we know how maddening the process can be. However, our years of experience provide us with valuable insight into the process, so we can explain how matters typically proceed, what to expect, the potential outcomes, and the compensation available for injuries and other after-effects. You can allow our dedicated legal team to handle the insurance issues while you focus your efforts on physical and emotional recovery.

What You Need to Know About Notifying Insurance Companies After a Car Accident

The best way to protect your rights after a car accident is to consult an accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can file a claim with the insurance company on your behalf. It is important to note that you will have a deadline for reporting the claim and that should be clearly stated in your insurance policy. The claims process officially begins when you or your lawyer file the claim.

Even if someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you must report the accident to your own insurance company. After your attorney notifies your insurer, they can also report the necessary information to other insurance companies involved.

Insurance companies make more money when they pay as little as possible for a claim. That means you need to be very careful with what you say to any insurer, including your own. Words can be taken out of context and used against you to deny liability. That’s why it is generally best to have your attorney work with insurers directly.

Documentation and Investigation

Once the claims process is underway, insurance companies will usually request documentation and conduct their own investigation into the accident. If possible, allow your lawyer to handle all of these requests. For example, while insurance companies are entitled to certain information, they do not have the right to access everything in your medical records.

Documents requested are likely to include:

• The accident report  
• Photos of injuries, property damage, and the accident scene
• Estimates from repair shops
• Medical bills
• Receipts for expenses related to medical care
• Witness statements

Avoid giving a statement if at all possible. Instead, allow your attorney to speak on your behalf to avoid saying something that could jeopardize your claim.

Receiving Payment from Insurance Companies

Another common tactic insurance companies use to keep their costs down is to offer quick settlements for far less than a claim is worth. They will often pressure accident victims to give a quick answer. They may demand that you sign a release or offer a check that says “final payment.” 

Accepting final payment or signing a release can end the insurance company’s obligations to you, even if they have only paid a small portion of what you should receive. Consult your attorney before signing anything.

In most cases, serious negotiation will be necessary in order for you to obtain a fair settlement from an insurance company, whether it’s your own or someone else’s insurer.

You Can Rely on Our Fort Lauderdale Car Insurance Claim Lawyer to Protect Your Interests After an Accident

Car insurance companies spend a lot of money promoting their image as knights in shining armor who come to the rescue of their policyholders. Remember that they exist to make money for their shareholders, and they succeed in that goal when they pay out as little as possible.

You deserve fair compensation after a car accident, and insurance companies should be required to live up to their obligations to policyholders. An experienced car insurance lawyer can help ensure that you get fair treatment so that you are prepared to move forward after an accident. Contact Maus Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.