Three Steps to Maximizing Compensation After a Clearwater Car Accident

In 2021, there were 19 fatal car crashes in the Clearwater area, involving 27 vehicles. If you have recently been involved in a car accident, you will know how stressful the aftermath can be. Beyond just the physical injuries you may have endured, there is also the challenge of navigating insurance claims, health expenses, property damage, lost wages from missing work, and more. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by taking a few key steps, you can ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve after a car crash in Clearwater. 

Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Clearwater, FL

If you were injured, the first critical step is to hire a qualified attorney who specializes in car accidents to represent you. An experienced Clearwater auto accident lawyer understands both Florida insurance laws and the legal process for proving negligence and damages. They can handle communications with insurance adjusters so you can focus on healing. An attorney may also be able to get your medical bills paid upfront while they build your car accident claim.

How can an attorney help maximize your payout? Car accident lawyers have experience estimating the full value of a claim based on both economic and non-economic damages. This includes your current and future medical treatment, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering damages. An attorney will fight to prove the at-fault driver’s negligence and make sure insurers do not take advantage of accident victims by making unreasonably low settlement offers. With the average settlement for a personal injury claim in Florida ranging from $3k to more than $75k, this is important.

Follow Your Doctor's Medical Advice

The second key step is to follow your doctor's medical advice to prove the full extent of your injuries. The insurance company will want as much evidence as possible documenting your injuries when determining a settlement value. This includes records of your diagnosis, treatment plan, medications, physical therapy, missed work orders, and recovery progress. If you ignore medical advice or treatment plans, the insurer may claim your injuries were not that severe.

Your attorney can help obtain all the official medical records and bills to support your compensation amount. Make sure you attend all doctor and specialist visits while keeping track of major symptoms and setbacks. Report any lost wages and get documentation from your employer too. The evidence will add up in favor of your deserved settlement value.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies

Finally, as your attorney builds your injury claim, it is wise to avoid giving any recorded statement to insurance adjusters without your lawyer present. Anything you say can be used against you to minimize the severity of your injuries and reduce your potential settlement. Wait until your attorney fully understands all details and evidence before providing an official statement.

Let your attorney handle all communication with insurers. You focus on getting better while they fight for maximum compensation by proving negligence, causation, medical documentation, lost income verification, and measurable pain and suffering calculated from the full impact on your life after the auto accident.

With these three key steps, you put yourself in the best position to maximize financial compensation after being injured in a Clearwater car accident. An experienced attorney levels the playing field against powerful insurance companies so victims can get justice and receive fair damages to cover what they fully deserve. Don't leave money on the table or let insurers take advantage – be fully prepared to fight for maximum compensation.

(Devdiscourse's journalists were not involved in the production of this article. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Devdiscourse and Devdiscourse does not claim any responsibility for the same.)