Our FL Car Crash Attorneys Discuss Filing Personal Injury Accident Claims With Allstate
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ll likely file a personal injury claim to obtain compensation for your losses. However, the claims process is rarely easy or straightforward. Although most insurance companies profess to “be on your side” and act “like a good neighbor” when you need help, their primary goal is to minimize payouts and maximize profits. At Spetsas Buist, we understand how stressful working with insurance companies can be and the dishonest tactics they use to reduce the value of your settlement. Here, we discuss filing a personal injury claim with Allstate and how our experienced car accident attorneys can help you obtain fair compensation. 
Understanding Florida Personal Injury Claims
It’s essential that you report any car accident to your insurance company and seek financial assistance through your own policy. When you familiarize yourself with your plan and deductible, you’ll better understand what to expect for compensation. However, if someone else caused your accident, you can file an accident claim to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Tips for Strengthening Your FL Personal Injury Claim
Following a car crash, an insurance adjuster will contact you to discuss the incident and get your statement about what happened. You may be contacted by your own insurance company or one for the at-fault driver. If you’re able to move around after the accident, you can strengthen your personal injury claim by taking some simple steps, including the following:
- Seek medical attention ASAP. When you’re injured, your body often releases hormones that can mask pain and other injury symptoms. You may not know you’re hurt for hours or days after the accident. So, it’s important to see a doctor following the crash, even if you feel fine. A doctor can determine if you’ve suffered injuries that don’t present right away. Additionally, having medical records and doctor notes documenting your condition establishes a connection between the accident and your injuries.
- Gather evidence at the scene. If you’re able, collect evidence from the scene. This evidence can include photos and videos of the vehicles involved, your injuries, and road conditions that may have contributed to the accident. Get contact information for other drivers and any witnesses who stayed at the scene, and get insurance information from the other drivers involved. Call the police and request a police report.
- Keep important documents. You will likely need to share medical records, bills, doctor notes, photos and videos of the accident scene, the police report, and any information about missed work, including pay stubs.
- File your claim promptly. Because it’s easy to forget important details about the accident, it’s important to file your claim as soon as you can.
How to File a Florida Car Accident Insurance Claim With Allstate
Allstate allows you to file claims online or by calling 1-800-255-7828, and both Allstate customers and non-customers can use their online system to track claims. You’ll need to provide the following information:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The names of all involved and their contact, vehicle, and insurance information
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident
- Photos of vehicle damage
- A copy of the accident report
- The names and badge numbers of officers who responded to the incident
Allstate will send an insurance adjuster to investigate vehicle damage, determine who is at fault for the accident, and estimate the cost of repairs. You should ask the adjuster if you must use certain repair shops. Allstate may pay the repair shop directly, or they may reimburse you for the costs of repair.
Don’t Jeopardize Your Claim: How to Talk to Insurance Adjusters
When an insurance adjuster calls you, they’re trained to get you to make statements that can jeopardize your personal injury claim. Because they want to minimize their compensation to you, they may use less than ethical tactics, so your statements can be misconstrued. Avoid making mistakes that may be used against you by following these tips for communicating with insurance companies:
- Don’t give a recorded statement.
- Don’t offer opinions or details about the accident. Provide facts only.
- Don’t admit fault.
- Don’t accept the first settlement offer.
- Consult an attorney before signing documents or settlement offers.
