It’s common for individuals to suffer injuries in car accidents. The most severe only affect a small handful of motorists.
A severely injured motorist may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, which is a type of non-economic damage. There isn’t a cap on these damages like there is on medical bills.
You may find it helpful to learn how insurance companies determine how much an injured motorist qualifies for.
What should you know about Florida auto insurance?
Florida is a no-fault accident state. This means that police don’t list anyone as being at fault when a crash occurs. It also means that you generally file an insurance claim with your auto carrier to recover the amount associated with your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
How do insurance companies reach damage determinations?
Insurance companies use a multiplier method to estimate the amount of compensation a person may be eligible for.
Some of the primary factors insurance companies assess include:
- Whether there’s clear proof of liability.
- The severity of the motorist’s injuries.
- Whether there’s documentable proof of injuries and associated pain and suffering.
- How long the recovery time is estimated to take.
Insurance companies aim to pay as little as possible. Insurers will examine claims that use high multipliers with exceptional scrutiny. Your insurance company will likely reject any claim that isn’t supported with documentation justifying your costs and recovery projections.
The amount of documentation you may need to produce to satisfy an insurance company’s inquiry may depend on the amount of the claim. Medical records and doctors’ notes may suffice for smaller claims. However, witness statements, police reports, photos and medical treatment bills may be necessary in more complex and expensive cases.
How to go about proving your pain and suffering
There’s a strong likelihood that your insurance company is incessant in trying to reach you following an accident if you’ve suffered injuries. They do so because they want you to settle right away to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses. Speaking with an insurance adjuster before you’ve completed treatment and understand your rights can be disastrous to any potential claim you might decide to file in the future. You’ll want to tread lightly to protect your right to potentially recover compensation for pain and suffering in the future.