There aren’t many more frightening or unsettling experiences than being involved in car accident. This is true for everyone involved – the party at fault, the victims, bystanders, the EMTs, and the police. Regardless of what part you did or didn’t play, you will likely be shaken to the core. Who can think of financial matters, like settling in a car accident case, after such an overwhelming experience?
With upwards of 395,000 accidents in Florida in 2016 alone, there are a lot of people who have to deal with the complicated legal processes car accidents bring with them. There are close to 400,000 people navigating the confusing maze of insurance coverage, negligence, fault, and deciding between settling in a car accident case or going to trial.
All of which highlights the need for reliable information from an experienced attorney. Thankfully, you’ve found one in Frank Marsalisi. Call Frank today at 727-800-5052 for a free case review and keep reading to learn when it’s time to settle and when it’s time to take your case to court.
Directly After the Accident
The first thing you need to do is make sure everyone involved in the accident is okay and call the police. This is true whether you were the one who caused the accident or not. It may seem unnecessary, especially if no one shows visible signs of injury, but this proactive measure will pay dividends later in your case.
After making sure everyone is okay and calling the authorities, it’s time to get the other driver’s’ insurance information. This is incredibly important as well. Get their information and take pictures and videos of your car. Then take pictures and videos of their cars and the surrounding area.
Finally, you’re going to want to speak to anyone who witnessed the accident. See if you can get a statement from them and record it with your cell phone.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
After the accident itself is over, it comes time to deal with insurance companies. This can include your insurance agent and the insurance companies of all other parties. You’re going to want to tread very lightly here to make sure you don’t say, or sign, anything that may hurt your settlement down the road.
It’s important to remember that insurance companies are NOT your friend. They make money by collecting your monthly premium and paying out as little as possible in the event of an accident. They have a number of strategies to accomplish this, including attempting to nail negligence on you and attempting to pay out less than what your case is worth.
This is when a talented attorney becomes not only important, but invaluable. Having someone on your side to deal with insurance companies, to call them on their tricks and fight tirelessly for your best interests – that’s the type of attorney you want. That’s the precisely the type of attorney you get with Frank Marsalisi.
Settlement Vs. Court
Part of settling a car accident case involves determining whether it’s in your best interest to settle or go to court. This isn’t an easy question to answer. An insurance settlement gives you the money you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. This money will likely be far less than it would be if you were to sue for damages in a court of law, though.
Regardless of your choice, it’s important for you to have an ally by your side. You don’t want someone who will push you to court simply to try to get a larger settlement. By the same token, you don’t want someone who will accepted a tiny settlement simply to complete your case and move on to the next one.
By now you may be scratching your head and asking, “how can I tell who the right attorney to settle my car accident case is?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve helped hundreds of clients here at Marsalisi Law and earned the title Where Law Gets Personal. We know what it takes to help you through a tough time and find the best option for your unique case.
Call us today at 727-800-5052 for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your choices and help you pick the right one.
