Police are investigating a fatal car crash that took place early Monday morning in Coral Gables. According to officials, one vehicle was traveling southbound on US1 when it tried to make a left turn onto sunset drive. Another vehicle that had been traveling northbound crashed violently into the turning car. Police confirmed that one of the drivers had been pronounced dead. Officials believe speed could have been a factor in the severity of the crash. Traffic was shut down on US1 as Miami-Dade police conducted their investigation. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.
4 Mistakes to Avoid When Negotiating Your Insurance Claim
Insurance disputes arise at the very time that policyholders need coverage the most— after the loss. Even if a denial is not an insurance companies’ goal, by playing the denial game, it can achieve something almost as advantageous or lengthy by their delay in paying out on the insurance claim. The longer an insurance company can hold onto their money, the better off it is for them. Here are some of the mistakes to avoid when negotiating an auto accident claim.
Accept a Quick Settlement of Your Claim: The first mistake many clients make is believe the insurance adjuster when they tell you the most the insurance company is willing to pay for your claim. Keep in mind that although the insurance adjuster has a duty to act in good faith, they are at odds against you when it comes to your auto accident claim. The more money they pay out to you, the more it hurts their employer financially. Even when an adjuster says it is their final offer, there is usually a way to get a higher settlement amount.
Giving the Adjuster a Settlement Range: Oftentimes, you may have an adjuster ask you for a fair settlement range. If you decide to provide an exact number or a range of numbers, you are jeopardizing your auto accident claim. This is because you are setting your own ceiling for the maximum potential settlement that can be obtained in your claim. An adjuster will take notes on this and this will potentially limit the amount of money that will be put aside to pay your claim. Instead, if you must provide a range, aim for a number that is much higher than what you would expect.
Telling the Adjuster That You Need Money Urgently: Another mistake that is common is telling an insurance adjuster that you are in desperate need of the settlement money due to vehicle damage or injuries. You can be sure that the adjuster will write this down in their notes and will keep this in mind when negotiating your claim. They may offer you a low settlement figure because they may believe that you are willing to accept a low settlement offer to have the funds disbursed sooner.
Being Rude To The Adjuster: During the claims process, it is important to stand strong and be firm but being rude and disrespectful is not going to get you anywhere with an insurance adjuster. Be informed and know your rights but don’t be rude.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Miami Today! Knowing the next steps to take after you or someone you love has been involved in a traffic accident is key to protecting your legal rights and safeguarding your right to compensation. If you’re the victim of a car accident, the personal injury attorneys at Suarez & Montero can help! We understand that car accidents can have a huge impact on you and your family. At Suarez & Montero, we can help in all stages of your personal injury claim. We can help obtain evidence, document your injuries, and negotiate a settlement of your claim or case. We also make sure to keep our clients informed at all stages of their case. We believe that our clients deserve the highest level of service. Because your case is important to you, you can be assured that it will be treated with the highest level of care and attention by our attorneys and staff members. A skilled personal injury lawyer can make sure you avoid common mistakes injury victims make when negotiating a claim with an insurance company or the party responsible for the injury. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
