Should I get an attorney for auto accidents?
Yes! Hiring a lawyer for a car accident is a great decision when you are not at fault and feeling pain or suffering from the accident. With a lawyer by your side, you will have a huge advantage over someone who doesn’t have a personal injury attorney and wants to file for claims and losses. The huge advantage comes from the years of experience and knowledge of the law that the lawyer and firm provide. If you hire a lawyer the chances of you recuperating your losses and getting your life back in order are maximized.
Can I fire my auto accident lawyer?
Yes, you can fire your auto accident lawyer at any time and for any reason. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should do so without considering a few things beforehand.
- You should hire a new car accident lawyer before you fire your current lawyer and write the court a letter with a notice of a change in who is representing your case.
- Make sure that you also have written proof of a letter sent to the attorney you are firing that states they will no longer be representing your case.
- Make sure that it is worth your time to go through the process of firing your current attorney and hiring a new one. These processes can take a long time and are not worth the hassle for most cases unless there is a significant amount of settlement potential you think you could achieve with the new attorney.
- Most personal injury lawyers do not charge fees (unless they win), however, if they do, you will have to pay any outstanding balances on your account with that attorney.
At the end of the day, there are various reasons you would want to fire your car accident lawyer, however it is important to make sure that the decision is worth your time and money, if not, try to stick through with your current lawyer and make it work!
There are three steps a driver who is involved in an accident must take.
- In Florida, you are legally required to help anyone you believe has been injured or hurt from the accident.
- You must call the police or the Florida highway safety patrol if you believe there is over $500 worth of damages from the accident or if someone has been injured.
- Try your best to move your car out of the way from traffic. If you are unable to move your car for any reason you should call a tow truck to do it for you.
Please remember, these are only steps required by Florida Law. There are several safety precautions and steps to take after the accident that you should do in most cases. Some of these steps involve:
- Hire a car accident lawyer if you believe there was a form of negligence from the other driver.
- Make sure there was accidents report written so that you can make claims on your insurance.
- Record your own information and notes about the crash so you don’t forget any details later.
- Gather witnesses for the accident so it is easier to prove who is at fault.
Unfortunately, most people will be involved in a car accident at least once throughout their lifetime. It is important to know these steps beforehand to minimize the stressful conditions of a car accident.
What is an auto accident?
Although this may seem like a very simple question, many people will only answer it partially right. A car accident is the event in which a car strikes another car, pedestrian, animal or any stationary object. Most people will forget that car accident don’t always have to involve other cars, therefore answering this question incorrectly.
How to negotiate auto accident settlements?
Negotiating car accident settlements are not much different than negotiating anything else. However, there are a few things to make note of that can put you in an advantageous position against the insurance companies.
- You will never receive more than what you ask for, so always start with a very high ask, it doesn’t hurt.
- Make sure you added up all the bills that came from the car accident, you will want to recover at least this amount. Remember; never ask for just the amount that you added up, you are likely to get less than whatever you ask for. This would result in a loss, which should be the case if you weren’t at fault in the accident.
- Know exactly what your insurance policy covers. This works both ways, as there is no point in fighting for something your insurance doesn’t cover, however, it could also lead you to find damages that you didn’t know you could recover.
- Kindness always works better than angriness in negotiations. Be nice to whomever you are negotiating with and the process wont be as stressful or challenging.
- The Insurance Company will lowball you, make sure you don’t lose hope in your numbers and keep fighting for what you deserve. The majority of negotiations will be resolved with a number in the middle of your highest ask and their minimum bid.
- Although it is possible to negotiate a car accident settlement for yourself, it is much more effective to do so with an experienced car accident attorney by your side. Remember, car accident law firms have experience and are familiar with the Florida Law, therefore maximizing the potential settlement amount for you.
Does Medicare pay for auto accident injuries?
Yes, generally, Medicare will cover any medical costs that you incur form the car accident after the $10,000 from your PIP insurance is exhausted. Additionally, Medicare will likely cover any medical bills that your general auto liability insurance missed.
Lets Examine what Medicare part A and B will cover for car accident medical bills:
- Inpatient Hospital Care
- Skilled Nursing Facility
- Hospice
- Lab Tests
- Surgery
- Home Health care
- Outpatient Care
- Preventive Services
- Ambulance Services
- Durable Medical Equipment
The important thing to remember about Medicare regarding car accidents is that it only kicks in once you fully exhaust your $10,000 in PIP coverage.