If an insurance company says your injuries are worth less than you believe they are, you do not necessarily have to accept its valuation. You can review your medical evidence, document your losses, challenge the insurer’s assessment, and negotiate for a more appropriate settlement.
St. Petersburg is the fifth-largest city in Florida and part of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, with more than 250,000 residents. Major roads such as I-275, US 19, and 4th Street North connect residential, commercial, and waterfront areas where residents and visitors travel every day.
After an accident, serious injuries can lead to medical bills, lost income, and other losses that an initial insurance offer may not fully reflect. If you are facing a disputed valuation, a personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg, FL can help you understand the value of your claim and available options.
This article explains what you can do when an insurance company’s valuation does not reflect the full impact of your injuries.
Review the Medical Evidence
Medical documentation is one of the most important forms of evidence in a personal injury claim. Medical records can show the diagnosis, treatment received, medications, procedures, rehabilitation, and prognosis.
If an injury requires continuing care, documentation of future treatment needs may also be important. Following medical recommendations and attending scheduled appointments can help maintain a clear record of the recovery process.
Calculate Your Future Medical Costs
Some injuries require treatment long after an insurance company makes its first offer. Surgery, physical therapy, medication, specialist visits, and rehabilitation can create substantial future expenses.
A settlement that only accounts for bills already received may not fully reflect the financial consequences of a long-term injury. Medical professionals may provide information about expected future care when appropriate.
Document Your Lost Income
An injury may prevent someone from working temporarily or permanently. Lost wages are one form of economic loss that may be considered in a personal injury claim.
The financial impact can extend beyond missed paychecks. If an injury affects the person’s ability to perform the same work, work the same hours, or pursue the same career, the resulting loss may be more substantial.
Employment records, pay statements, tax documents, and employer information can help establish these losses.
Record How Your Injuries Affect Daily Life
Not every consequence of an injury appears on a medical bill. Serious injuries can affect sleep, mobility, household responsibilities, hobbies, relationships, and other aspects of everyday life.
Keeping a record of these limitations can help document how the injury has affected the person’s life. Statements from family members or other people who observe these changes may also provide useful information.
Understand the Damages You May Recover
Florida personal injury claims can involve economic and non-economic damages depending on the circumstances. Economic losses may include medical expenses and lost income, while non-economic damages can involve certain harms that do not have a direct price tag.
Florida also has specific rules concerning comparative fault. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, a claimant’s recovery can be affected by the percentage of fault attributed to that claimant, subject to the statute’s applicable provisions.
Challenge the Insurance Company’s Valuation
If an insurer’s valuation does not reflect the evidence, an injured person can provide additional documentation and negotiate for a different settlement. Medical records, expert opinions, employment records, photographs, accident evidence, and documentation of expenses can all help support the claim.
It is important to understand what the insurer is disputing. The disagreement may concern the severity of the injury, whether treatment was necessary, the amount of lost income, or whether the accident caused a particular condition.
Review the Settlement Before Accepting It
Before accepting a settlement, an injured person should understand what the agreement covers. Settlement documents commonly include provisions that can limit the ability to pursue additional compensation for the same incident.
This can become especially important when the full extent of an injury is not yet known. Understanding the potential long-term consequences before signing a release can help prevent unexpected problems.
Florida Has Deadlines for Personal Injury Claims
Florida law establishes time limits for filing personal injury lawsuits. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, the applicable period depends on the type of claim and when it accrued, with recent statutory changes affecting certain negligence actions.
Because missing an applicable deadline can seriously affect a person’s ability to pursue a claim, it is important to determine which limitation period applies to the specific circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- An insurance company’s valuation does not automatically determine what an injury claim is worth.
- Medical records can help establish the severity and duration of an injury.
- Future medical treatment and lost earning capacity may need to be considered.
- Evidence of how an injury affects everyday life can support non-economic damages.
- Florida Statutes § 768.81 addresses comparative fault and its effect on recovery.
- A settlement should be reviewed carefully before it is accepted.
- Florida’s filing deadlines make it important to address a potential personal injury claim promptly.
