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A question we are often asked is “Do you actually need an attorney to handle a personal injury claim?” The answer to this question is – “No.” This answer may surprise some since we’re personal injury attorneys. But the reality is, there is no requirement that an attorney has to be the one to handle your claim. With that said, and we’ve written about this before, it’s highly recommended that you do seek the help of an attorney for a number of reasons, but there are some cases that can be settled without the need for hiring one. The hard part is figuring out if your case falls into this category. Generally speaking, if liability is clear and you have minor injuries you can probably negotiate with the insurance company and resolve your case on your own. However, not many cases fall into this category. If your injuries are more significant, or if you have any history of similar injuries or complaints, then the insurance company will surely resist your claim.
What Do I Need to Do to Settle My Personal Injury Claim?
If you’re going to handle your own claim, there are a number of things you will have to do before you’ll be in a position to negotiate. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as just calling the insurance company and telling them you’re injured and asking for money. Insurance companies require documentation for every aspect of your claim. This means that it will be important for you to gather things such as:
- Photographs
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Lien documents
- Wage documents
You’ll also have to make sure that you put all of the appropriate entities on notice of your claim. This includes all insurance companies, health insurers, and Medicaid/Medicare, if applicable.
Once you know the extent of your injuries and what the future holds for you from a medical standpoint, you’ll then be in a position to send a demand to the insurance company. The amount you demand will be what you believe to be fair compensation in light of what you’ve gone through. Be sure to include the full amount you owe in medical bills, and any amount you may have lost in wages.
No matter how well you document your claim, it’s unlikely that the insurance company will agree with your demand. The insurance company may outright deny your claim, or it may make a counteroffer. If a counteroffer is made, you can then negotiate with them. Ultimately, you will need to make a determination whether the insurance company’s offer is fair and reasonable. This can be difficult unless you have experience handling insurance claims. If you don’t think it’s fair, you may have to consider a lawsuit.
As you can see, there is a lot to do to pursue a personal injury claim, and we’ve only outlined the basics. The more complex your claim is, more will need to be done, such as hiring experts, etc. This is why we recommend that you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. At SouthShore Injury Attorneys, we’re here to help when you need us. Whether you decide to hire us or not, we’re available to discuss your case with you. You can also visit our website to review our Free helpful information.
Free Information
If you have questions about your Florida accident case, you can download our Free Reports:
- Your Guide to Florida Car Accident Claims;
- The Ultimate Guide to Florida Slip and Fall Cases; and
- 5 Medical Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Personal Injury Case
which are available at our website, or you can click the link provided. You can also contact us at 813-797-5998 to talk directly to an Apollo Beach Personal Injury Attorney now.
