Insurance Dispute Attorney Jacksonville FL

When you suffer an injury as a result of another party’s negligence, it won’t be long before insurance companies are involved.

This holds true with all types of personal injury claims, ranging from motor vehicle accidents and bicycle accidents to dog attacks and premises liability.

Here’s what you need to know: insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay out as little money as possible, regardless of how much you deserve to receive. 

This is why it’s so important to consult with a personal injury attorney early on. With this approach, you show the insurance company that you mean business. It also removes you from the equation, as your attorney will communicate directly with insurance company representatives.

Types of Insurance Disputes

In your mind, your insurance claim is straightforward. The other party was clearly at fault, you suffered damages, and you should receive compensation accordingly. 

Even if all of that is true, don’t expect any insurance company — including your own — to immediately come forward with a reasonable settlement offer. It’s much more likely that you’ll receive a lowball offer, with the insurance company hoping you accept it and move on.

Here are some common tactics used by insurance companies that can result in a dispute:

1. Shifting blame

This is what your personal injury case is all about. Proving that the other party is liable puts you in a position to receive compensation. 

Insurance companies know this, so they’ll do their best to shift blame to you. 

Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means if you’re found to be partially at fault for an accident, your compensation will be reduced. 

2. Settlement disputes

You have one idea about how much money you should receive, but your insurance company has another. 

Negotiation and compromise come into play, but that doesn’t mean you should agree to a settlement that’s less than what you deserve.

Your Jacksonville insurance dispute lawyer will negotiate directly with the insurance company’s legal team, all while keeping you current as to what is happening. 

If you’re unable to settle out of court, your attorney can file a lawsuit. 

3. Placing you under surveillance

While it’s not illegal, it has the potential to bring a variety of challenges to your life. 

In addition to stress and anxiety, you’ll have concerns about every step you take. The insurance company will hire investigators to watch you at all times, hoping to find you disobeying doctor’s orders or participating in activities that could aggravate your injuries.

Your legal team can discuss insurance company surveillance with you, helping you understand what it entails, how to protect yourself, and how to identify an investigator who has crossed the line. 

4. Failure to mitigate damages

You know your injuries better than anyone else. Just the same, you’re working closely with a medical team to manage your pain and symptoms, while also working toward a partial or full recovery. 

Your insurance company doesn’t care about that. Their focus will turn to anything you’re doing that could aggravate your injury and/or slow down the recovery process. 

This goes along with point #3 above about surveillance. 

5. Preexisting condition

You can only collect damages related to your accident. So, if you were suffering from a back injury before a motor vehicle crash, the insurance company is likely to argue that you have a preexisting condition.

Of course, there’s gray area. Just because you had a preexisting condition doesn’t mean you didn’t suffer additional injuries. Furthermore, you may be in line to receive compensation for aggravating a preexisting condition. 

Don’t Make These Mistakes

Many simple mistakes can move to the forefront when managing the aftermath of an accident. Here are some that you must protect against:

• Taking fault for the accident: You should never say “I’m sorry” or “it was my fault” after an accident, regardless of the circumstances. 
• Communicating directly with the insurance company: You have the legal right to decline communication until you consult with an attorney. This is the best way to protect yourself. 
• Accepting a lowball offer: It’s tempting to accept the first offer, as it’ll allow you to quickly move past this step of the recovery process. However, doing so could mean missing out on additional compensation. 

Final Thoughts

Should you find yourself mixed up in an insurance dispute, don’t attempt to fight back on your own. Instead, consult with an insurance dispute lawyer who can protect you every step of the way.

At Terrell Hogan, our Jacksonville insurance dispute lawyers have the experience and knowledge necessary to protect your legal rights.

Contact us online or via phone at (888) 244-5557 to request a free consultation.