After being involved in a Florida car accident, you may not be sure of the best way to handle the situation. One of the initial things that you may think is that your auto insurance company will handle all the “heavy lifting” to achieve the outcome needed to move forward with the lawsuit.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Most insurance companies are going to keep their best interests in mind in these situations. Because of this, it is up to you to know what you should avoid doing when filing a car accident claim in Florida. Taking steps to avoid mistakes after a car accident will also help you protect your right to file a claim. Because of this, one of the first calls that you should make should be to a car accident attorney in Florida.
Once you have gotten in touch with legal counsel, you can move forward. Part of this is knowing what you should not do. While this may seem confusing, when it comes to protecting your rights, you have to take an active role in the situation. Keep reading to find out.
1. Mistake: Talking About What Happened with the Other Party Who Was Involved
After an accident, you want to avoid talking to the other party involved too much. A huge mistake is saying too much while still at the scene of the accident. Sometimes, the other party will use the things you say against you. Instead, make sure you just exchange basic information and after that, keep your mouth shut. While it may be tempting to make conversation, this is never a good idea and can lead to issues if you file a legal claim.
2. Mistake: Telling Your Insurance Company Too Much
It’s a good idea to take the same “say less” approach with your insurance company. Also, never agree to have your conversation recorded. You do not have a legal obligation to let them do this. Remember, just like the other party, the insurance company is also going to use anything you say “at the moment” to reduce your claim and compensation. Because of this, you should make sure that you are only answering very basic questions or that you recommend that the insurance company talks to your attorney. This is going to help you avoid serious mistakes.
3. Mistake: Not Hiring an Attorney for Help with Your Florida Car Accident Case
Remember, insurance companies (even your own) won’t be on your side automatically. They want to protect their bottom line at all costs. Because of this, you need to make sure you have experienced legal representation to help you with your case and situation. Proper legal representation is going to look out for your best interests and ensure that you get a fair amount of compensation for your losses and injuries.
Protect Your Rights After a Florida Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident in Florida, that is not your fault; it’s important that you protect your rights. One right is to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Be sure that you avoid the mistakes above to ensure that you get the results desired. It’s also smart to hire an attorney in Florida who can help you with your case. This is going to ensure that you get the desired results and the maximum amount of compensation possible.