Why you Should Contact an Attorney Even if you Have Insurance

Do you know that in Florida, every car owner is mandated to take out a car insurance policy? Why you should contact an attorney:

Yes. You should not move a car within the city without being insured. Insurance, particularly auto insurance, covers part of the cost of an accident if one should occur. These are your medical bills, the cost of fixing damaged property, and other expenses.

In Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Personal Damage Liability (PDL) are insurance policies available for car owners. Before a car owner can successfully ride his vehicle within Florida, they show proof of PIP and PDL. PIP covers bills arising from medical and other reasonable expenses a person may have incurred as a result of a vehicle crash regardless of whoever was at fault. PDL, on the other hand, covers the expenses needed to fix the property damaged during the accident. 

What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

To operate our-wheeled automobiles within Florida, drivers will show proof of Personal Injury Protection. Every car owner takes out insurance of up to $10,000 to cover expenses resulting from a motor crash, regardless of who is at fault. 

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FHSMV), proof of vehicle insurance is needed for a vehicle to operate. Furthermore, according to the guide provided by FHSMV, a vehicle currently registered in Florida must 

• Be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration.
• Have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL. Vehicles registered as taxis must carry bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 for (PDL) coverage.
• Have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE canceling your insurance.
• Purchase the policy from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida. (If you are new to the state, you may ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to a Florida policy.)
• Maintain Florida insurance coverage regardless of the vehicle’s location throughout the registration period.

What is Personal Damage Liability (PDL)?

Personal Damage Liability (PDL) covers expenses to take care of the damaged property in a car crash. 

While PIP is focused on taking care of the person affected by the car accident, PDL concentrates on providing enough coverage to carter for the property damaged during the crash. PDL will cover the damaged vehicle or vehicles in the crash. It will also cover any damaged property like another person’s fence, signpost, or gate.

Even though you operate an insurance policy, you should contact an attorney if you experience a car accident. 

Six Reasons Why You Should Contact an Attorney Even Though You Have Car Insurance 

Insurance Adjusters will first protect their interest

When you take out an auto insurance policy, you run that policy for the rainy day- that is, when an accident arises, and you will need to access the money when it is most needed. Your insurance money can be used to pay off your hospital bills and cushion the financial burden of being out of employment when you are not actively making money to take care of yourself and your dependents. 

These are severe needs of a car accident victim, which insurance companies should take seriously. Sadly, insurance companies will first protect their interest before safeguarding yours.

Your car accident lawyer gives you an added layer of support. A skilled car accident lawyer will provide you with the legal backing you require. You do not need to face the challenging and scary season alone. You do not need to go to the negotiation table alone.

Negotiations may arise

Negotiations may arise between the victim in dire need of compensation, the negligent party, and their insurance companies.

It is common for insurance companies to want to negotiate. They would like to know and understand the factors that led to the accident. If the accident was perhaps partially caused by the victim. Thus, contributory negligence arises if the victim’s claims are excessive and far from what they should be compensated for.

Negotiation can arise between two parties or several parties. There can be several victims and several negligent parties whose actions caused the accident and their insurance companies. 

It is safer to go into negotiations while being represented by your lawyer. The advantages are numerous. A few of them are:

• You will not feel vulnerable and by yourself.
• Your attorney knows how much your accident is worth and the proper financial compensation you deserve
• If you do not understand the terms, your attorney does and can explain them adequately to you.
• They deal with cases like yours regularly.
• You can be unavoidably absent to attend to your health or something important, and your attorney can handle negotiations on your behalf.

It may eventually snowball into a lawsuit

Not all auto accident claims will develop into lawsuits, but some do. When this happens, you should have a car accident lawyer by your side before and during the process of your lawsuit. 

Under the law in Florida, personal representation is recognized. This does not, however, mean it is advised.

You may exceed your PIP coverage

You may exceed your PIP coverage which in Florida is a minimum of $10,000. This is an important reason why you should contact a car accident attorney. Where you exceed your PIP coverage, you may need to take the other party’s insurance company to court, mainly when serious injury occurs. Even with a PIP and PDL coverage, having your attorney at your side is the best decision you can make for your case.

Technicalities may arise

Sometimes, it is not always straightforward. It is not always as easy or as simple. Technicalities may arise as regards terms and conditions or any other form. Negotiation and litigation can be hostile.

It would be best if you had support

After a car accident is a long road to recovery and possibly a lawsuit, healing may be physical, mental, emotional, or a combination. We know that a car accident victim will need all the support they can get, which we offer at the Coleman Law Group. 

Conclusion

Did you experience an accident? At the Coleman Law Group, we will represent your interest and provide you with the right legal advice whether you have insurance coverage or not. Call us for a free consultation at 727-214-0400.