Four Reasons to Take Your Personal Injury Case to Trial
When car, bike, and pedestrian accidents happen, the ramifications you suffer can be severe. While there may be the potential to get compensation for your injuries and damages through an insurance claim settlement, there are also situations in which you may need to take the at fault party to court. At the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely, our Bradenton personal injury attorney is Florida board certified, which means we have the willingness and ability to take your case to trial if needed. The following are four common reasons why this may be the best course of action in your situation:
- Your accident involves an uninsured driver.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. More than 25 percent of all drivers in the state lack the mandated minimum insurance coverage, which means your best option for getting compensation is to take them to court.
In a personal injury claim, you can seek judgment for the medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses you have suffered as the result of your accident and injuries. In the event they are unwilling or unable to pay, the court can take enforcement actions such as garnishing wages or putting a lien on their property until the debt is satisfied.
- The amount of insurance fails to cover your costs.
Even if a driver is insured, their policy limits may not be enough to cover the total amount of your damages. This is particularly common in cases involving catastrophic injuries and those resulting in long-term disabilities. To ensure you receive the medical care and financial support you need for in the years to come, hiring a board certified attorney to take the at fault driver to court is in your best interests.
- The insurance company denies your claim.
Car insurance companies are in business to make money, and one of the ways in which they can achieve this goal is by finding reasons for denying claims. They may cite information from police reports, from the other driver or witnesses, or even statements you made on your own behalf in claiming you were at fault for the accident. The fact is that under the Florida Statutes, even if you were partially to blame, you may still be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
- The amount offered in a settlement is less than you deserve.
Equally common when dealing with insurers is for them to undervalue the total amount your claim is worth. Even if the overall settlement amount is reasonable, there are additional types of compensation you can only claim by taking your case to trial.
Contact Us Today for Help
You only have one chance to get the compensation you are entitled to when accidents and injuries occur. To help ensure you get the amount you need to recover, contact the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely and request a consultation to discuss your case with our Bradenton board certified trial attorney today.
Resources:
iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html
