What do you need to do after a car accident in Miami? Do you need to contact your insurance company? What about the other driver’s? Can you accept payment under your personal injury protection (PIP) policy and still seek additional compensation? Can you see your own doctor; and, if so, will your health insurance cover your accident-related medical expenses? What other costs and expenses are you entitled to recover?

In the aftermath of a car accident it is critical to make informed decisions, and answering these types of questions is just the first step toward ensuring that you receive the financial compensation you need and deserve. The best way to avoid costly mistakes is to seek legal representation. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to answer these questions and many more during your free initial consultation.

There are many other ways that an attorney can help with your car accident claim as well, including:

1. Collecting Evidence of Fault

While PIP provides “no-fault” insurance coverage, your PIP policy could fall far short of covering your accident-related losses. If this is the case, and if you have suffered a “significant and permanent” injury, you will need evidence of fault in order to pursue a claim against the other driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) policy. Your attorney will be able to conduct a thorough investigation to collect the evidence needed to maximize your financial recovery.

2. Identifying all Responsible Parties

While another driver may have been at fault in the accident, this is not the only possibility. Did the other driver’s brakes fail? Did your brakes fail? Did your airbag deploy improperly? Could road conditions have played a role in the accident? By conducting a thorough investigation, your attorney will be able to identify all of the parties that are responsible for your losses and pursue liability claims accordingly.

3. Calculating Your Total Losses

If you have a claim outside of PIP, you are entitled to seek compensation for all of your accident-related losses. This includes not only your medical expenses (past and future), but lost income, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and various other losses as well. Your attorney will be able to help you understand the full value of your claim so that you can avoid settling for too little too soon.

4. Negotiating with the Insurance Companies

Regardless of how much you are entitled to recover, if you do not negotiate effectively, you will not receive the full compensation you deserve. In addition to determining what constitutes a fair settlement, your attorney will also be able to negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.

5. Preparing for the Possibility of Trial

Finally, if the insurance companies refuse to accept liability, hiring an attorney will ensure that you are fully-prepared to take your case to trial. While most car accident claims settle well before trial, with your health and financial future on the line, you need to be ready to fight for your rights in court.

Contact Us for a Free Car Accident Consultation

If you have been injured in a car accident in the Miami area, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal rights. To speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys in confidence, please call (305) 265-2266 or request an appointment online today.