Car accidents in Florida often result in serious damages or injuries. Life after a traumatic event can feel really hectic or disrupted, but most insured drivers are going to file a claim with their insurance provider. This may seem like a fairly straightforward process, but things can quickly get daunting after you file a car accident claim in Florida.

Your insurance provider may deny your claim based on certain factors related to the accident or they could make a quick settlement offer. This is often not going to be enough to cover your medical bills, but many choose to accept the offer so they can receive compensation as soon as possible. The question our attorneys often get is is it possible to reopen a car accident claim in Florida if you were treated unfairly by your provider?

A Floridian involved in a motorcycle accident fills out their injury claim form.

Insurance companies want to settle car accident claims quickly in Florida. These claims trigger a complicated process that often leaves people feeling frustrated, confused, and often wondering whether they’ve been compensated fairly. This could be because they’re unaware of how much their settlement is worth, they were in need of money and don’t know how to negotiate with their provider, or there was a questionable situation that occurred in the process.

In all of these situations, it’s likely that you’ve thought about whether you could reopen your car insurance claim to ensure you are fairly compensated. With that said, read on to learn whether it’s possible to reopen a car accident claim in Florida and what steps you should take if you’ve been unfairly compensated.

The Cliff Notes: Key Takeaways From This Post

  • 1
    After an accident in Florida, the claim process begins with calling the police and filing an accident report.
  • 2
    It is important to document any damage done to vehicles and personal injuries caused by the accident.
  • 3
    The insurance company will assign a specialist agent to handle the claim who will discuss settlement with third parties.
  • 4
    An individual can reopen a car insurance claim if they have not signed an agreement, there are technical errors on paperwork, other parties are found to be at fault, or if they have been treated unfairly by their insurer.
  • 5
    To get a better settlement offer, it is essential to conduct a complete investigation of the accident, gather evidence such as photographs and bills/receipts, refrain from allowing pressure from the insurance adjuster and keep him/her informed of any worsening injuries.
  • 6
    Consulting with an insurance dispute attorney in Florida can help individuals successfully reopen their car accident claim.

Understanding Florida’s Car Insurance Claim Process

A car accident claim is a report you file after you’ve been in a collision with another vehicle or another situation that results in damage to your vehicle or personal injury. The individual who files the claim will receive payment from their insurance company after meeting the deductible requirements. Here’s the process of filing a car insurance claim.

1. Call the Police

Filing a car accident claim begins with contacting the police. Having police on the scene helps to mitigate potential issues between you and the parties involved, ensures an ambulance and emergency services are there to handle injuries if needed, and provides a police report, which is helpful in the claim process.

2. Make Sure an Accident Report is Filed

The next step is to file an accident report. Most states have laws for reporting car accidents to the local DMV or police. For this reason, it’s important to understand your legal responsibilities for reporting. If you’re uncertain, you can always contact your insurance agent to guide you on what to do.

3. Collect Information About the Car Accident

Documenting the details of the crash is an important step in successfully filing a car accident claim. Your insurance company will request these details to determine the settlement. This means that individuals need to document the damage done to their vehicle, as well as, any personal injuries caused by the car accident.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve documented everything, you will need to contact your insurance company on what steps to take next. They will likely advise you to send them pertinent information regarding the accident such as the extent of damages.

5. Work with Your Assigned Claim Specialist

Once you report the accident, your insurance company will assign a claim specialist who will represent you by talking with third parties such as other insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident.

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