It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Florida without proof of insurance or financial responsibility. Unfortunately, having the required insurance doesn’t always guarantee adequate coverage in the event of a serious accident. Because car accidents occur every day across the state, injured individuals may face a mountain of hurdles and issues when dealing with insurance companies who either fail to adequately assess damage or deny their claims altogether. In many of these instances, policyholders have the right to take legal action against their or the other driver’s insurance company to recover necessary damages. That’s why the West Palm Beach insurance claims attorneys of Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. have committed their careers to helping people get the compensation they are owed by the insurance company after an accident. Without an experienced law firm on your side, the insurance provider may deny, delay, or seek to minimize your valid claim. Contact us at (561) 689-8180 to speak with a member of our team today.
It is a common misconception among the majority of drivers that insurance companies have the interest of their customers and drivers at heart. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Like all types of businesses, insurance companies prioritize their own interests and bottom lines above everything else. While they may pay lip service to how much they care about you and care about having you covered in case of emergency, the truth is they can act in bad faith and find any way possible to avoid paying the full amount of your claim. And while you may expect this behavior when dealing with the other driver’s insurance company, you may be blindsided by your own insurance company’s ability to be just as ruthless and heartless following an accident. When this happens, it’s important to know that you are not alone and have legal options.
At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we are committed to helping victims of car accidents take legal action and get the financial compensation they are owed. If you have been hurt in an accident that was caused by someone else’s reckless or negligent actions, you should be able to count on insurance companies to honor their policies, and when they don’t, we are there to hold them accountable. To learn more about your rights and to schedule a free consultation, contact the West Palm Beach insurance claims lawyers at (561) 689-8180 or fill out our contact form and take control of your future.
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Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
As one of the leading causes of personal injury claims in the country, car accidents can range in severity depending on a variety of factors in your case. While small accidents or fender benders can typically be settled without legal assistance, accidents that result in significant damage to your vehicle and serious or life-altering injuries are best handled by a car accident attorney who has experience gathering evidence, filing paperwork, and dealing with insurance companies first hand. If you have suffered serious physical or emotional injuries following an accident, the last thing you should have to do is worry about is dealing with insurance companies and the details of filing a claim and recovering damages. You should focus on your family and recover from your injuries so you can get back to work and on with your life.
Insurance companies are known to try a number of tricks and tactics to settle your case early and pay as little as possible, often taking advantage of victims with costly injuries who need financial assistance quickly. This includes convincing you to take less money than you need or even admitting fault for the accident by asking you misleading questions. A West Palm Beach car accident lawyer will handle every interaction with both insurance companies and ensure you get every penny you deserve.
Why Choose Us?
While other law firms focus on simply settling as many cases as possible, the West Palm Beach car accident attorneys at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. are committed to getting our clients the maximum amount of compensation possible, which means that we are not afraid to take your case to trial to ensure that you get the full and fair compensation you are owed. We work on a contingency basis, meaning we don’t charge you a penny unless we successfully recover for you. There is no risk for you to contact us to discuss your case, so call us at (561) 689-8180 today.
Types of Cases Involving Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies following a car accident may seem like a simple, straightforward process but are instead, unfortunately, extremely complicated and frustrating. Disputes with insurance companies happen on a daily basis leaving many accident victims in dire financial turmoil because they can’t pay for medical bills or future rehabilitation costs. The West Palm beach insurance claims lawyers at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. have experience handling cases where insurance companies do the following:
- Act in bad faith
- Use deceptive tactics
- Change coverage or policy details without consent
- Lie about your coverage when purchasing
- Pressure you to quickly settle your case
- Fail to assess damage properly
- Deny your claim altogether
These are just a few of the types of insurance claim disputes we deal with on a regular basis. We understand how frustrating it can be when insurance companies fail to act appropriately and pay you the compensation you deserve. That’s why we are here to fight for you every step of the way. It’s important to contact an insurance claims attorney as soon as possible following your accident to ensure the statute of limitations doesn’t expire on your case, leaving you unable to pursue legal action and recover appropriate damages.
The Dos and Don’ts Following a Car Accident
Unless you’ve been in a serious car accident before, the extent of your relationship with your automobile insurance agent or adjuster is superficial. You make monthly, bi-annual, or annual payments in anticipation that you’ll be covered if catastrophe strikes. Because of this distant relationship, many motorists don’t know what to do following an accident or how to interact with your insurance company.
The aftermath of an accident can be chaotic and leave you feeling overwhelmed. Despite these circumstances, it’s important that you maintain communication with your insurance company and follow a few simple steps to help maximize your coverage. This includes the following:
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible following your accident and keep an accurate log of who you speak with and when every time you’re in contact with them.
- Study every word and provision in your coverage, reading all sections, so you know what you have and if there are any exclusions.
- Be 100% honest with your insurance company at all times. Lying or withholding certain information from your insurance company could significantly impact your claim and the amount of coverage you can recover.
- Take pictures at the accident scene of damage to your vehicle and any injuries you sustain. Also, try and get all contact information from parties involved in the accident as well as any statements from witnesses to strengthen your case.
- Keep track of all medical records and paperwork involving treatment, prescription costs, and other costs related to your injuries
On the other hand, there are a number of actions that could seriously hurt your chances of recovering the financial compensation you need from your insurance company or the negligent party’s company. You should never allow your insurance agent to record your conversations or give any written statement unless you fully understand your coverage or have consulted with a car accident attorney. It’s also important that you never accept an estimate or appraisal without having an attorney look at it. Many insurance agents will try and get victims to accept their first estimate in hopes they will settle for less than they deserve. Remember, your insurance policy is a legally-binding contract, and if insurance agents act in bad faith or choose not to uphold their end of the deal, you can take legal action and hold them accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Claims
Not necessarily. There are many factors that can cause a single-vehicle accident. One of the most common examples is defective roadways. Drivers are not able to control sudden hazards on the road that are often the responsibility of governmental agencies that manage the roadways.
You will want to inform your insurance company of any external factors that caused or contributed to your single-vehicle crash because it may be possible that another party is liable for the accident.
Another common cause of single-vehicle accidents are mechanical malfunctions with the vehicle, which are beyond the drivers’ control to manage. Manufacturers or maintenance companies may be held liable for these kinds of issues.
When a driver causes an automobile accident that causes more damage than their insurance policy can cover, that driver can still be held personally liable for the remaining balance. Many negligent drivers do not have the personal resources necessary to pay these amounts, so you will want to make sure you are working with an experienced attorney who can help identify all possible liable parties, which will increase your chances of a successful recovery. The lawyer will also be able to determine every legal avenue they can use to hold a negligent party accountable when insurance maximums have been reached.
You need to remember that, no matter how sincere an insurance agent might sound in their concern about your present condition, the insurance company has only one goal. That goal is to pay you as little as possible to resolve your claim.
If you enter into settlement discussions with an insurance company without legal representation, it is very likely that the insurance company will offer you far less than what you are actually entitled to.
If you refuse the insurance company’s initial offer, they will find every way they can to undermine your claim, including going as far as alleging that you were at fault for the accident and are not entitled to any compensation at all.
Having an attorney handle all the negotiations with insurance companies will ensure that you get a fair settlement, because they will know exactly what your case is worth and what you should receive in compensation. If the lawyer cannot negotiate a fair and full settlement to your case, then they can file a lawsuit to make sure you get justice.
Insurance Claim Statistics
A report by The Saint Augustine Record in June 2019 showed that Florida drivers pay an average of $2,059 per year to insure their vehicles, making the state’s automobile insurance rates the third highest in the nation. This annual average car insurance premium also reflects a rate increase that has more than doubled since 2011.
The factors in Florida that relate to these high insurance rates include its no-fault insurance laws and the highest rate of uninsured motorists in the nation.
Contact Us Today
At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., our focus is on helping you and your family rebuild your lives following a serious injury accident. We understand the fear and frustration that comes with mounting medical bills, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and everyday expenses as you attempt to recover from the injuries that you suffered. You should not have to fear for your family’s financial stability, especially when the responsible party’s insurance coverage should cover your bills and expenses. We have seen the insurance companies wrongly deny claims or offer insufficient settlements in order to save themselves money, and we will not stand for these actions. We will work to help you secure the amount of compensation you are owed by law, and not a single cent less. Contact an experienced West Palm Beach insurance attorney at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. to discuss your claim today.
To learn more about the car accident cases we handle, click here.
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