Should I Contact My Car Insurance Company if I was Involved in a Wreck in Tampa, FL?

When two drivers engage in a minor fender bender that resulted in no property damage or injuries, they will usually go on about their day as there really is no basis for a claim. But, if the accident did result in even minor damage to your vehicle and you aren’t sure whether you suffered an injury as you don’t feel any pain just yet, then you probably are going to want to contact your insurer. Does this mean you have to file a claim? Not necessarily.

Notifying your insurer about an accident that occurred and filing an accident claim are two different things. When you notify your insurer that you were involved in a collision, you are merely informing an agent of what transpired between you and another driver. But, when you fill out paperwork and highlight details regarding the wreck and submit it, then you initiated the claims process. So, how do you decide whether you should file a claim or simply inform our insurer of the incident?

Well, it depends on the circumstances. While it would be in your best interest to reach out to an experienced Tampa, FL car accident lawyer such as one from Larson Johnson, below we are sharing with you some things you should take into consideration.

 

1. Who was at-fault in the accident? Although Florida is a no-fault state which means if you suffered injuries or property damage in an accident, you can file a claim with your insurer regardless of fault, drivers can still obtain reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s company as well. So, if you caused an accident, the other driver will likely file a claim with your insurer and the incident will be recorded in your file anyway. However, if you did not cause the accident, then perhaps you might want to weigh your options in terms of how it will benefit and/or hurt you should you choose to start the claims process.

 

Consider the information below.

 

2. How severe is your property damage? If your vehicle’s damage isn’t quite as bad as you had thought, you should see how much your deductible is before filing a claim. Insurance rates are exceptionally high in Florida which often results in drivers purchasing policies with higher deductibles just so they can afford coverage. So, let’s say your property damage was estimated to be about $1,000 but your deductible was $1,500. Before you are going to receive anything from your insurer, you must pay $1,500 out-of-pocket first. Under these circumstances, you would be paying for all the repairs, not your insurer. So, you have to ask yourself, is it worth it for me to file a claim even though I have to pay for the repairs?

 

3. Did you suffer any injuries? Injuries can make a case much more complicated, especially if they are serious. If you did suffer an injury as a result of the car crash, you should definitely speak with a Tampa, FL car accident attorney who can help you decide whether filing a claim is worth it. In some cases, a car crash victim may not be offered enough from their insurer for their injuries so it is best to retain a lawyer before accepting anything or agreeing to a settlement.

 

Although it might not seem like such a difficult decision to make when it comes to filing a claim for an auto accident, there are many things that aren’t listed here that you need to consider. To find out whether filing a claim with your insurer for the accident you were recently involved in is in your best interest, contact Larson Johnson today at 813-228-6688.

 

Larson Johnson can be reached at:

 

2011 West Cleveland Street

Tampa, FL 33606

Phone: 813-228-6688

Website: www.larsonjohnsonlaw.com