If you’ve been in a car accident in Jacksonville, dealing with insurance companies can be one of the most frustrating parts of the recovery process. While insurers may claim to have your best interests at heart, their primary goal is to minimize payouts. This often leads to lowball settlement offers that don’t fully cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
A Jacksonville car accident lawyer can help you navigate this challenge and fight for the compensation you truly deserve. Here’s how:
Understanding Lowball Insurance Offers
Insurance companies often make quick settlement offers, especially if they believe you may not fully understand the value of your claim. These offers may seem tempting, especially if you’re facing medical bills and lost income, but they usually fall far short of what you are entitled to. Some common tactics insurers use to justify low offers include:
- Downplaying Injuries: Claiming your injuries are minor or unrelated to the accident.
- Blaming You for the Accident: Shifting partial fault onto you to reduce their payout.
- Using Delays to Pressure You: Taking advantage of your financial strain to push you into accepting a lower settlement.
- Ignoring Future Expenses: Failing to account for long-term medical costs and lost earning potential.
How a Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
1. Assessing the True Value of Your Claim
An experienced attorney will review all aspects of your case, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs. They can provide a clear estimate of what your claim is actually worth, ensuring you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
2. Handling Insurance Negotiations
Insurance adjusters are trained to negotiate aggressively and minimize payouts. A lawyer knows the tactics they use and can counter them with solid evidence, strong arguments, and legal pressure to ensure you receive fair compensation.
3. Gathering Critical Evidence
To strengthen your case, your attorney will collect crucial evidence, such as:
- Medical records and expert testimony regarding your injuries.
- Police reports and accident scene photos.
- Witness statements and surveillance footage.
- Proof of lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
4. Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can escalate the matter by filing a lawsuit. Often, the threat of legal action alone is enough to push insurers toward a reasonable settlement. If not, your lawyer will fight for you in court.
5. Ensuring You Don’t Settle Too Early
Insurance companies often pressure victims to settle quickly, before they fully understand the extent of their injuries. A lawyer will ensure that all medical evaluations are complete and that your settlement accounts for future medical costs and rehabilitation.
Why You Should Act Quickly
In Florida, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, waiting too long can weaken your case, as evidence may disappear and witnesses’ memories may fade. The sooner you involve a lawyer, the stronger your case will be.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you after a car accident. Brandon J. Broderick can level the playing field and help you fight for the full compensation you deserve. If you’ve received a lowball offer, don’t accept it without consulting an attorney first. Reach out today for a free consultation and protect your rights.