Search personal injury legal assistance in Florida? In Florida, a person will be responsible for the damages caused by a car accident if he or she behaved in a negligent manner. Negligence is a legal term that, in common terms, means recklessness or carelessness. Whenever a driver chooses to get behind the wheel, the law imposes a “duty” on the driver to behave in a reasonable manner. When a driver does not behave in a reasonable manner, and that unreasonable behavior causes a car accident, then the injured victim may be able to recover damages in an Orlando court. The definition of “reasonable” and “unreasonable” behavior is typically left to a jury, since the behavior is unique to the circumstances and facts surrounding the car accident. For example, a driver who causes a car accident while driving at the speed limit would likely be behaving reasonably if the weather was dry, the traffic conditions were clear, and the driver was focused on the road. On the other hand, if the driver was going the speed limit during a torrential downpour and consequently caused a car accident, then a jury may find that going the speed limit in these circumstances is “unreasonable behavior.”
Do not reduce your demand more than once until you have a new offer from the adjuster. Never reduce your demand twice without an intervening increased offer from the adjuster; it’s simply not good bargaining. If the adjuster comes up with more reasons for a low offer, go over each one. Once you have dealt with all the adjuster’s arguments, you will either get a reasonable offer, or you will have found out that no reasonable offer is coming and you will have to try to put some additional pressure on the insurance company.
Insurance companies do not pay money willingly. The insurance company can be expected to thoroughly investigate the facts of your accident and use any prior history of related medical conditions to diminish the value of your claim. Insurance companies may hire a private investigator to film your physical activities in public. In substantial injury claims, insurance companies may even try to set you up by having their investigators trick you into engaging in physical activities such as carrying a heavy package, bending to pick up bulky objects or changing a flat tire.
Insurance companies use various tactics to reduce their liability. Beware of any documents they ask you to sign or any unexpected checks they send you in the mail. Consider talking to an attorney so you don’t accidentally sign away your right to pursue a fair personal injury settlement. Personal injury attorneys have in-depth knowledge and experience in negotiating personal injury settlements. They know how to build a persuasive case and how to take a firm stance with insurance companies. Your attorney will handle everything, including dealing with the insurance company and their team of attorneys.
Florida has a relatively short statute of limitations, the legal term for the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit. Under state law, a victim of a car accident caused by a negligent driver must file a lawsuit within four years of the accident. Because time is of the essence in these types of cases, it is important for you to contact a car accident attorney in Orlando to discuss any possible legal options that may be available to you. To reach out to a knowledgeable attorney, contact Bengal Law at 407-315-8000. Discover even more information at Bengal Law PLLC.
The other side is going to make a settlement offer based on what they think a jury might do at trial. Juries make their decisions based on what they see and hear at trial. It’s important to put your best foot forward. This means being polite and respectful at all times and looking your best when you’re due in court. All of these little things can help you convince the other side that a jury is going to be sympathetic to what happened in your case. This small effort can nudge the other side to offer you a fair settlement.