More than 3 million people are injured annually in Florida car accidents – and sadly, 40,000 drivers and passengers are killed. Insurance companies pay billions of dollars to reimburse individuals for the injuries related to these accidents. Because the cost of payouts is so high, insurance companies look for opportunities to limit the amount of even a legitimate personal injury settlement. To make sure you receive the payout that you deserve after being injured in an accident, there are situations to avoid and proactive steps you should take. One of the most significant errors people make is trying to negotiate with insurance companies without professional assistance. The insurance company’s adjustors are trained to create a sense of friendship and security with accident victims to trick them into saying something that can be used against them and limit their settlement. Something as simple as answering “How are you today?” with “I’m fine, thank you for asking” may cause them to claim that you are not suffering as you indicated. This is why hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you is essential right from the beginning of the process.
Your Personal Injury Settlement Begins at the Scene
It may be difficult to keep your wits about you immediately following a traumatic event, but try to stay calm – and say as little as possible. Things we blurt out while stressed can definitely be used against us later on.
- Unintended Admissions of Guilt: Your potential for a fair personal injury settlement may be significantly impacted if you inadvertently admitted that the accident was your fault – or even gave that perception. One of the initial reactions of most people is to apologize, saying something like “I’m so sorry, my foot just slipped off the brake!” or “I can’t believe this, I’m so sorry!” These statements may adversely influence your settlement amount – but conversely, can help you if the other driver is the one saying them.
- Denying Medical Assistance: After an accident, adrenalin is surging through your body – and it may seem perfectly natural to say, “I’m ok, don’t call EMS.” However, that same adrenalin may be masking a neck or back injury that you discover a few hours later – and by refusing help on the scene, you could be accused in a court proceeding of “exaggerating” your injury to increase your settlement.
Negotiating Your Settlement
If the accident truly was minor and no long-term injury occurred, speaking t insurance companies on your own is probably safe. But you should call an experienced personal injury attorney if the accident is more serious. Those who have suffered head or spinal cord injuries, facial scarring, or injuries that require hospitalization and rehabilitation require expertise to secure the highest possible personal injury settlement. The insurance company is motivated to pay as little as possible, not to disburse a large amount of money. They will make a quick initial offer and try to persuade you to take it – but experts agree that taking the first offer is almost never advisable.
No one should enter into a settlement negotiation without having a comprehensive understanding of what is reasonable given their specific circumstances. You don’t want to ask for or settle on too little, but you also don’t want to sabotage your chances by holding out for too much. Expecting a million-dollar settlement for a broken ankle may make you look unreasonable to a judge or jury – unless, of course, you are a professional athlete! For more information about professional representation for your Florida personal injury case, call Probinsky & Cole – before you call anyone else.
