Our Trusted FL Car Accident Attorneys Explain the Pitfalls of Filing a Personal Injury Claim With Progressive
When you’re injured in a car accident, you want to prioritize your physical recovery; however, it’s also important to protect your right to compensation for your losses. This can be especially challenging if your injuries are serious or you’re confused by the claims process. 
The experienced car accident attorneys at Spetsas Buist understand the stress of dealing with insurance companies after a crash, especially large companies like Progressive. As one of the three largest auto insurers in Florida, Progressive insures over 10 million cars nationwide. But that doesn’t mean the company will be on your side when you file a personal injury claim. Here, our attorneys discuss the challenges of filing an insurance claim with Progressive and how to maximize your potential compensation.
Your Florida Accident Insurance Claim With Progressive
You can file a claim with Progressive online or through their mobile app. You’ll need to provide information about the type of claim; the date, time, and location of the incident; and the vehicles and people involved.
You’ll receive a confirmation with your claim number, and you can check the status of your claim online or through the app at any time. The confirmation email will also ask if you have content (like photos) to share; if so, you’ll receive a secure link to share all content related to the accident. The confirmation email will also provide an estimate of when an adjuster might reach out.
Ways to Strength Your FL Personal Injury Claim
The law firm of Spetsas Buist understands the strategies and tactics used by insurance companies to try and reduce the value of your personal injury claim. Because they are focused on their bottom line, insurance companies like Progressive want to delay payment, pay as little as possible, or avoid paying clients for valid injuries associated with the crash. However, there are ways to strengthen your claim that start by making sure you have enough credible evidence to support it. Taking the following steps can help increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement:
- Get immediate medical attention right away. It’s important to see a doctor immediately following the accident. The hormones released during stressful situations may mask pain, so you might miss symptoms of injury that don’t present for a few days. Additionally, going to the doctor right away helps establish a connection between the accident and any injuries.
- Document the accident scene. If you can do so safely, gather evidence at the accident scene. Take photos and videos from multiple angles of the vehicles involved; show the damage to the vehicles; and photograph street signs, traffic signals, and road conditions. Include landmarks and buildings in your photos, and write down your account of the accident while the details are still fresh.
- Get a police report. A police report is an official record of the accident, and it can be a critical piece of evidence for your personal injury claim. When talking to the police officer, give a factual account of what happened. Don’t speculate or admit fault.
- Gather contact information. Be sure to get contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved. Ask witnesses for their contact information. Also, be sure to take down the license plate numbers of the other vehicles and license numbers of the other drivers.
- Keep careful records. Create a dedicated folder to keep all documents related to the accident. These may include medical records, bills, doctor notes, the police report, pay stubs, and information about any work missed as a result of your injuries.
- File your claim promptly. It’s easy to forget details as time passes. Don’t wait to file your personal injury claim. It’s important to file while you can still remember the details of your accident.
Outsmarting the Insurance Adjusters
When you talk to an insurance adjuster, it’s important to know that they will use your statements against you. Because they want to minimize their potential payout, they will use underhanded tactics to get you to say things you may not mean—things that can jeopardize your compensation. Follow these tips for dealing with insurance adjusters to help protect your rights:
- Take your time when talking, and don’t give more than the facts.
- Do not provide a recorded statement.
- Do not admit fault.
- Don’t agree to sign a medical release without talking to an attorney. The adjuster doesn’t need access to all of your medical records.
- Use your own maintenance or repair shop for car damages. The insurance adjuster will likely refer you to a shop they prefer; however, you don’t have to go there, even if the adjuster implies that you must.
- Don’t accept the first settlement offer.
