How To Protect Your Truck Accident Case From Insurance Adjusters in Florida
Being involved in a truck accident is one of the most devastating events a person can be involved in. In Florida, truck accident victims have the right to pursue compensation from their own insurance company and, if certain criteria are met, from the at-fault party’s insurance company. When dealing with a truck accident claim, you might find yourself dealing with insurance adjusters who seem concerned and helpful. While some adjusters are indeed professional, it’s vital to keep in mind that they work for the insurance company, not you. Their main goal is to minimize how much the company pays out.
Understanding how to protect yourself from insurance adjusters can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. If you’ve been in a Florida truck accident, read on for tips on protecting your rights when interacting with insurance adjusters.
Be Careful What You Say
One of the most common mistakes truck accident victims make is saying things they shouldn’t say to insurance adjusters. Insurance adjusters often call accident victims shortly after the crash when they are still in shock and confused or in pain, medicated, and not fully aware of the extent of their injuries. In these moments, it’s very easy to say things that can later be taken out of context.
It’s best to avoid speaking with an adjuster before consulting a lawyer. If an adjuster asks you for a recorded statement, remember, you are not obligated to give it. You can politely decline and explain that you’d like to speak to your attorney first.
Don’t Be Too Quick To Sign Medical Authorization Forms
Insurance adjusters may ask you to sign medical authorization forms. While signing these forms might seem harmless, signing broad authorization forms can allow insurers to dig through your entire medical history, including details that are unrelated to your injuries. While the insurance company is entitled to certain records related to your truck accident injuries, they are not entitled to unlimited access to your full medical past. Seek legal guidance before signing medical authorization forms.
Avoid Accepting Early Settlement Offers
After a truck accident, insurance adjusters often offer quick settlement offers. These offers are often much lower than what your case is actually worth. Avoid saying yes to a settlement offer before having an attorney review it and determine if it’s fair.
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally can’t pursue additional compensation for the same injury even if it turns out to be more serious than expected. Many truck accident injuries involve long-term complication, so settling too early often ends up proving costly.
Gather and Preserve Evidence Early
It is much easier to handle insurance adjusters with strong evidence, especially when disputes arise, for instance, about the severity or cause of your injuries. Some of the evidence you need for your Florida truck accident case includes:
- Black box data
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene
- Medical records
- The police report
Understand Florida’s Comparative Negligence Rules
Insurance adjusters often try to shift as much blame as possible onto victims to reduce or eliminate payouts. You need to know that under Florida’s modified comparative rule, if you are 51% or more at fault for your accident, you can’t recover compensation. Working with an experienced attorney is crucial for ensuring you aren’t assigned more blame than is right (if you are partially at fault).
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you’ve been injured in a Florida truck accident, contact our Tampa truck accident attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm today for help dealing with insurance adjusters.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and Melbourne areas.