So You’ve been in a Car Accident, What Now?
- Report your claim to your insurance company immediately.
- Seek medical care within 14 days of the accident or you will not be eligible for personal injury coverage.
- Ideally, you should see a doctor within the first 48 hours.
- Remember that many physical conditions do not manifest themselves right away. When in doubt, seek medical treatment.
- The first and most important task is to take care of your physical needs. Yes, your car may be banged up and you might face a traffic violation, but those things are secondary to tending to your injuries.
- If your injuries are so severe that you require emergency medical care, many medical decisions will be made quickly, especially if your life is in danger.
– Make sure you discuss your medical wishes with your loved ones.
– Better yet, contact an attorney to prepare your estate plan, which will include a Living Will/Health Care Surrogate
- If you are conscious, ask questions. You are in charge of your medical treatment. If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, ask for a second opinion.
- Ask what the cost will be. You can use up your personal injury coverage very quickly.
– Your personal injury coverage in Florida is $10,000, at the most; you may only be entitled to $2500 in certain situations
– Some medical providers work with referral groups and will refer you to another provider based on their agreement within the group, rather than your medical needs. Again, ask questions.
- Do not make any statements to any insurance company employees.
- Do not post any statements about your condition on social media sites.
- We don’t take kick backs from chiropractors, radiology facilities, orthopedic doctors or any other medical provider.
- We have a licensed insurance agent on staff, who can answer your insurance questions.
- We can answer your questions about your legal rights and responsibilities.
- We can provide a Letter of Protection to your medical provider that promises that your medical bills will be paid out of any bodily injury settlement we obtain on your behalf.
– Why is an LOP so important? Many medical providers are nervous about treating a client unless they know that they will get paid.
– A lawyer writes a letter of protection on the client’s behalf and that agreement says the lawyer will pay the medical provider out of the settlement money.
– The LOP usually makes the medical provider more willing to provide treatment because there’s not as much risk of not getting paid.
- Help you get your car repaired or replaced.
- Organize all of your medical bills to make sure they are all paid and that there is no duplication.
- Track your medical records.
- Communicate with the insurance adjustors.
- Take care of all legal issues concerning the claim, including scheduling appointments and phone calls.
- Investigate the accident by taking pictures, talking to witnesses, obtaining police reports, etc.
- Fight for the highest settlement award available.
- Make sure that you are reimbursed for any wages that you lose as a result of the accident.
- Help you track your pain and suffering through a journal, photographs, video, and a diary.
- Advise you what to say and not to say to others.
- We have an attorney who is a licensed insurance agent; she can read policies very quickly and thoroughly.
- We are approachable. You will meet with the attorney who will handle your case.
- We communicate at your level. We don’t use legalese and jargon; we use terms that you can understand and will always take the time to answer your questions.
- We give you options and make sure you are included every step of the way.
- We check in with you on a regular basis.
- We sincerely care about you.
- We provide peace of mind.