Should You Contact Your Insurance Company if You are in a Florida Car Accident?

Yes. But this is where certain things you say could be used against you later by your insurance company. Dealing with the insurance company is one of the primary reasons to hire a lawyer. In any event, contact your agent first. If you want to contact the company directly, our member's area has a list of insurance companies and claims offices in Florida. The company will want all of the information you obtained when you exchanged information. They will ask for the police report if you have it. They will assign to you a claim number. WRITE THE CLAIM NUMBER DOWN, GET THE NAME OF THE ADJUSTER AND HIS OR HER DIRECT DIAL LINE.

If you have collision coverage, he or she will want to go out and see the car so that they can estimate your damage. Let them do this. They will also send you a personal injury protection benefit application so that they can process your medical bills (they will pay 80% of your bills up to $10,000 subject to a deductible) and lost wages (60% of your gross wages up to a combined total with the medical bills of $10,000). An attorney can help you fill this out. If you fill it out, be careful how you describe the accident. Try to describe what happened simply: I got hit from behind and I was hurt. If you are going to list your injuries, include all of them. It really is best to have a lawyer help you with the PIP application so that you fill the application out correctly.

IF YOU GET A CALL FROM THE OTHER INSURANCE COMPANY, DO NOT SPEAK TO THEM EXCEPT TO LET THEM TELL YOU THEIR NAME, THE NAME OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY, HOW THEY CAN BE REACHED (DIRECT DIAL NUMBER) AND WHAT THE CLAIM NUMBER IS. DO NOT LET THEM RECORD YOU. WHAT YOU SAY MAY HURT YOUR CASE NO MATTER HOW SMART OR EXPERIENCED YOU THINK YOU ARE.

Contact us (888) 435-2465, e-mail us or fill out the consultation form to the right for any questions regarding dealing with the insurance company.