Managing an Insurance Adjuster Following a Vehicle Accident
Knowing how to deal with an insurance adjuster after a car accident can help you recover the money you need to pay for your medical bills, lost income, car repair or replacement, and other expenses related to the crash. In Florida, most drivers deal with their own insurance company during this process. However, some will pursue fault-based cases.
If you need to move forward with a case against the at-fault driver, the car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato are here for you. Call us at (954) 633-8270 today for a free consultation.
What Is an Insurance Adjuster’s Role in a Florida Car Accident Case?
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company and investigate the crash, gathering information about what happened and the injuries suffered. They also value the claim and determine how much their company will offer the claimant for the loss. There are several important factors to remember here:
- An insurance adjuster represents the insurance company, not you
- An insurance adjuster investigates the crash on the company’s behalf
- An insurance adjuster evaluates property damage, injuries, and other claimed losses
Because many types of insurance claims are possible in Florida car accidents, the adjuster could work for:
- Your own no-fault policy provider
- Your own collision policy provider
- The other driver’s property damage liability coverage provider
- The other driver’s injury liability coverage provider
Even when filing an insurance claim based on your own policy, always keep in mind that the adjuster is not on your side. They do not want to pay you what your claim is worth. Instead, they want to pay as little as possible to protect their company’s bottom line. You must be careful to avoid falling victim to tricks and tactics an insurance adjuster might use to reduce your compensation.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Handle All Communication With the Adjuster for You
If you hire a Florida accident attorney to represent you, they can handle all communication with the insurance adjuster in your case – protecting your rights and helping you seek and secure an appropriate settlement. The Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at our firm understand how insurance adjusters work and what strategies they might use to get you to accept too little money for your claim, including:
- Making a quick settlement offer before you know the value of your case
- Making only lowball offers
- Telling you an offer is final
- Asking for a recorded statement
- Using your own words out of context to downplay your injuries
- Failing to move the claim forward at a reasonable pace
- Purposeful delays
- Unwarranted denials
While you have an obligation to cooperate with your own insurer to file a no-fault claim, you do not have the same obligation to the other driver’s insurance company. You can politely decline any recorded statements and refuse to give them anything more than basic information about the crash.
A better option to ensure that your fault-based claim goes smoothly is working with our team from the beginning. We can assess your options for suing the careless or reckless driver, prepare and file your case, and negotiate with the insurance adjuster while protecting your right to a fair payout.
How Do I Navigate the Insurance Claims Process After a Florida Car Accident?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,
there were 245,936 injuries in 386,180 Florida auto accidents in 2022 alone. (This statistic does not include property damage-only collisions or deadly accidents.) Of these, many victims recover compensation through a claim against their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy.
Under FL Stat. 627.730, a key part of Florida’s no-fault auto insurance laws, all drivers must have at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. This minimum amount can help pay a portion of the medical bills and lost income for accident victims with relatively minor or moderate injuries. However, many victims need and deserve more money.
Some victims can sue the at-fault driver for their injuries and related expenses. They also have a right to pursue a property damage claim against the careless or reckless driver for the damage to their vehicle. These are the cases our team handles most frequently. We know how to determine if you qualify, navigate the claims process, and secure appropriate compensation for our clients.
Discuss Your Case With Our Car Accident Team for Free
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato offer free initial consultations for crash victims, especially if dealing with the insurance adjuster after your car accident becomes challenging. Our Fort Myers personal injury attorneys can review the facts of your case and explain your legal options for seeking a fair payout,
Let us assess your case with you for free today. Call (954) 633-8270 or contact us online to get started.
