Average Spondylolisthesis Car Accident Settlement in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: Car Accidents | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

Sometimes referred to as spondylosis, spondylolisthesis is an injury that is quite common after car accidents. Spondylolisthesis is a type of spine injury wherein your vertebrae are forced out of alignment. This can happen when your vertebrae are subject to trauma that pushes your spine either forward or backward. It is not difficult to see how easily this injury can arise after a car accident. After all, our backs absorb a great deal of the kinetic energy that car crashes subject our bodies to. Untreated spondylosis caused by trauma can lead to a number of long-term health complications, not the least of which is excruciating back pain.  If you develop spondylolisthesis after a car accident, you should include it, and its effects, in your claim for damages against the responsible party. What Is the Average Spondylolisthesis Car Accident Settlement? A frequently asked question that our personal injury team at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk hears from our clients is, What is the average spondylosis car accident settlement? This is a very reasonable question for any injured party to ask. If you know what the average settlement is, you can get an idea as to what you can expect with your own spondylosis settlement. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer that we can give to this question. We are unable to provide an average spondylolisthesis settlement because there is no average settlement. Why? Because there is no average car accident, no average injury, and thus no average spondylosis case. Every injury that we help our clients recover from is unique. There are numerous factors that can affect your spondylosis settlement claim, or any other personal injury or car accident claim for that matter. The only way to get an idea of what your settlement will look like is to try to account for the various factors that affected your accident and injury. How Can I Maximize My Spondylolisthesis Settlement? To maximize your spondylosis settlement, there are quite a few different things you can do. With that said, however, there are two things you can do to really set your claim up for success: Carefully document all the damages you suffer related to your spondylosis; and Work closely with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. If you take these two steps, and are consistent in doing so, you will go a long way toward maximizing your claim value and avoiding any unpleasant surprises in the claim’s settlement negotiation process. Documenting Your Damages To claim compensatory damages for your spondylolisthesis, you first need to prove that you have spondylolisthesis. Furthermore, you must prove that the injury stems from your car accident.  The only way to establish whether you have spondylosis and to what degree is with the help of diagnostic studies such as an x-ray or CT scans. There are five grades of vertebrae slips. On one end of the spectrum, grade I is the least severe and features a vertebral slip of less than 25%. On the opposite end of the spectrum is a grade V, which features a vertebra that slips entirely off the vertebrae below it. The more severe your slip is, the more treatment will cost and the more your settlement value will be. You should keep a record of any medical treatment or evaluation that you seek. In your record, you should include any bills, invoices, or insurance payments that arise from such treatment or evaluation. Furthermore, every time you seek any sort of treatment or evaluation, you should get a copy of your treatment provider’s notes for that specific visit. By documenting the existence of your injury and the costs of treatment, you can prove those damages exist. Without such a record, proving those damages is difficult. On top of maintaining your medical record and a record of related bills, you should maintain a journal of your symptoms. Keep a daily record of any physical, mental, or other harmful effects that arise out of your injury. If you have any sort of pain, be sure to assign a numerical value to that pain. With this record in hand, you can further prove the damages you suffer, including intangible, non economic damages. With effective documentation, you can really maximize the value of your claim. Hiring an Attorney Aside from documenting all your damages, hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you in your spondylolisthesis claim is the best thing you can do to maximize your claim.  By consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident, your lawyer will have the time necessary to prepare the most effective legal strategy for your specific claim. If you wait to hire an attorney, your lawyer may not have the time and resources to prepare the most effective legal strategy. Furthermore, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the closer you get to allowing the statute of limitations to expire. After that period expires, courts will reject any related legal claim.  Finally, your lawyer will help you document your damages and injuries and can help connect you with the right medical specialists for your specific injuries. The sooner this happens, the better your eventual settlement will be. What Is It Like Dealing with Insurance Companies? Trying to deal with insurance companies on your own is often quite difficult. Insurance companies make their money by paying out the smallest amount they possibly can for each given claim. Thus, they often prey upon individuals who try to negotiate settlements without the help of an attorney. One of the ways they do this is by repeatedly making settlement offers that don’t fully compensate you for your damages. They do this to drag out the negotiations process, wear you down, and hope that you will have to take their lowball offer when the statute of limitations is close to expiring. Conversely, if you have an attorney on your side from the outset of settlement negotiations, insurance companies know that their unfair negotiation tactics are less likely to work. As a result,...

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Average Premises Liability Settlement in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: premises liability | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

In Florida, as in all other states, the owner of any property where other people are present must maintain safe conditions. If an owner fails to maintain safe conditions on their property, they are liable for any damages caused. In other words, if you get hurt on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, chances are that you have the right to seek compensation in a premises liability claim.  One of the most common questions we get from our clients regarding premises liability is, What is the average premises liability settlement offer? Unfortunately, we cannot provide a definitive answer to this question because it depends on your circumstances. Read on to learn more about Florida premises liability settlements and why the answer to this frequently asked question is less than straightforward. What Is the Average Premises Liability Settlement? The truth is, there is no average injury. Furthermore, there is no average accident. Thus, there is no average settlement amount as every situation is different. This applies to any personal injury, not just one arising out of premises liability. As a result, average premises liability settlements simply do not exist. How Can I Maximize My Settlement Amount? There are many ways that you can maximize your settlement. Some are out of your power, but there are two things fully within your control that you can do to help maximize your premises liability settlement amount:  Hiring an attorney to represent you in your premises liability claim; and Meticulously documenting all the damages that you suffer. If you do these two things immediately after your accident, it will go a long way toward setting up your claim for success. How Hiring an Attorney Can Help Maximize Your Premises Liability Settlement Hiring an attorney to represent you in your premises liability claim as soon as possible after your accident will set you up for success in a number of ways.  First, hiring a lawyer immediately after your accident will help you ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire before you are able to file a lawsuit. Sometimes, professional parties slow negotiations to a crawl when they are in a dispute with a non professional party without legal representation. In such instances, the bet they make is that the statute of limitations will expire by the time you realize that settlement negotiations aren’t going anywhere and need to file a lawsuit. If you don’t file a lawsuit in Florida’s civil courts before the expiration of the limitation period, the courts will reject your claim. Thus, hiring an attorney as soon as possible can prove critical to your case. Aside from ensuring that the statute of limitations does not expire, hiring an attorney right after your accident will help you pursue the right legal strategy. Since all accidents and injuries are different, every injury claim requires a different approach. Ensuring that you pursue the right legal strategy right off the bat will help you maximize your settlement and speed up the process. The sooner your case settles, the sooner you can take care of your expenses. How Documenting Your Damages Helps Maximize Your Settlement You can also maximize your premises liability settlement by carefully and meticulously documenting all the damages that you suffer. Proving that you suffered specific losses is essential to recovering any of those damages.  For any medical treatment or evaluation you receive, you should obtain a copy of the doctor’s notes and report. Tell your medical provider ahead of time that you need as much documentation as possible, so they will make their reports more detailed. You should also maintain a journal documenting any physical or mental strain, pain, or other harmful effects that you suffer from as a result of the injury.  Finally, be sure to seek treatment for all the accident’s harmful effects. Sometimes pains and aches that appear minor at first can devolve into serious conditions. With proper documentation of all of the damages you suffer, proving and recovering those damages is a whole lot easier. How Does One Establish Premises Liability? To hold a property owner liable for injuries you suffer on their property, you need to prove their liability. A property owner isn’t responsible for all injuries that occur on their property, only some. Specifically, property owners are not liable for injuries that are caused by a person’s own negligence. Instead, they are only liable when you, the injured party, can show that they failed to maintain a safe premises and their failure causes an injury. To illustrate this concept, let’s sketch out a quick example: a slip and fall in a grocery store. Imagine that a shopper at a supermarket slips on spilled milk on the floor. The spill had been there for twenty minutes and there was no sign warning of the hazard. The owner in this instance likely acted negligent in failing to dry the floor and in failing to warn patrons of the spill. Because of their negligent failure, the shopper fell and suffered an injury. In this case, liability is pretty cut and dried.  Now, imagine the same situation as above, but with a couple notable differences. First, the wet floor is properly marked and cordoned off to dissuade customers from entering the dangerous area. Second, instead of walking in the store, the shopper decides to roller skate into the store to grab a drink while out for some exercise. Despite signs prohibiting roller skating in the store, they do it anyway. Otherwise, the situation is the same: the shopper slips on the wet floor, falls, and breaks their leg.  In this situation, the chances of holding the store owner liable for the accident is slim to none because the shopper acted negligently. First, they failed to follow the store’s rules by skating in the store. Second, they failed to obey the markings that closed off the area of the store with a wet floor. The store owner did what they could to maintain a safe premises, but due to the...

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Average Loss of Consortium Settlement Amount in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: Personal Injury | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

If a close family member of yours dies or suffers a severe life-altering injury, you might have a right to claim damages for loss of consortium as part of an eventual settlement.  Loss of consortium is a category of non economic damages that compensates family members for losses they suffer as a result of their loved one’s injury. Typically, spouses, parents, and children of injured parties can claim compensation through loss of consortium settlements. Essentially, loss of consortium damages compensate parties for intangible losses that they suffer as a result of the loss of their loved one or their loved one’s loss of ability to function in a certain way. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, one of the most common questions about loss of consortium settlements we hear is, What is loss of consortium worth? Read for more information on loss of consortium, including loss of consortium claim values. What Is the Average Loss of Consortium Settlement? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer we can give regarding loss of consortium settlement amounts. The truth is that there are numerous factors and circumstances that affect how much a loss of consortium claim is worth. The main reason that loss of consortium settlement amounts differ so much is that the accidents and injuries that give rise to loss of consortium claims are all unique. As a result, their settlement amounts, including any claims for loss of consortium, are also unique. However, with that said, there are ways that you can maximize your loss of consortium claim. How Can I Maximize My Settlement? There are a few ways that you can maximize your loss of consortium settlement. Here, we will cover two of them: Carefully documenting your damages, and Hiring an attorney to help you maximize your damage claim. If you do these two things as soon as possible after the accident, you will set yourself up to maximize your eventual settlement. Documenting Your Damages Because loss of consortium damages are non economic, they are inherently intangible and subjective. Thus, proving that you suffer from loss of consortium damages is a little different from proving economic damages. After all, to prove economic damages, you simply have to show a bill as evidence.  To document your loss of consortium damages, you should maintain a journal that details any difficulties that you and your family suffer as a result of your loved one’s accident. Damages may include things like: Loss of physical intimacy, Loss of companionship, and Loss of assistance or protection. To further bolster your claim, you can seek help from a mental health professional. They can document exactly how the loss affects you in a real and tangible way. With that sort of evidence on your side, it is difficult for the responsible party to deny the real impact of your loss of consortium damages. Hiring an Attorney Hiring an attorney is another effective way to maximize your loss of consortium damage claims. Your lawyer can help you establish the relative value of each aspect of your loss of consortium claim. It helps to have your lawyer do this because your lawyer, drawing on their prior experience, knows how to effectively frame your damages in an effective manner. This will help you not only prove the existence of those damages, but maximize their value in your eventual settlement.  How to Calculate Loss of Consortium Damages The only effective way to get a somewhat accurate estimate as to the value of your loss of consortium damages is with the help of an attorney. For your lawyer to make an accurate estimate, however, you need to make sure that you carefully document all the harmful impacts that the accident has on you and your loved ones.  With this information in hand, your lawyer can draw on their prior experience with loss of consortium claims to place a dollar value on each aspect of your loss of consortium claim. It is critically important to remember, however, that this is just an estimate. Because loss of consortium damages are intangible, they are, by definition, subjective. As a result, different juries, judges, attorneys, and insurance adjusters may all place different (subjective) monetary values on the exact same claim. Do Loss of Consortium Damage Calculators Work? You may have seen loss of consortium damage calculators in research on loss of consortium damages. These tools are tempting to use, but they do not provide accurate results. There are simply too many external factors that affect the value of your loss of consortium settlement, let alone other parts of your settlement.  Your lawyer, on the other hand, will know how to account for the various external factors that will impact your claim. You might use a loss of consortium damage calculator to start a discussion with your attorney on the value of your settlement, but you should always seek a lawyer’s advice. What Is It Like to Deal With Insurance Companies? Insurance companies are often a pain for individual parties to deal with. They can do a number of things that make the settlement process more difficult, including: Dragging out the negotiations in an attempt to run out the clock on the statute of limitations; Offer you lowball settlement offers in the hope that you will accept them to make the case go away; and Generally, do as much as they can to avoid paying out the maximum settlement amount. This is another area where a lawyer can be extremely helpful. If you have a lawyer representing you in your loss of consortium claim, your lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company. This takes the pressure off you, and leaves the negotiating to the expert—your attorney. That way you can focus on healing instead of worrying about the ins and outs of the legal process.  Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk for Help Today For help with your loss of consortium claim, get in touch with our team of personal injury lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. Our firm has more than 30...

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Average Travelers Insurance Personal Injury Settlement in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: Personal Injury | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

If you have a claim with Travelers Insurance, you might be curious how the claims process works and what average Travelers Insurance personal injury settlements are. Pursuing a personal injury claim on your own through a third-party insurance company can be a stressful and frustrating process. Fortunately, the Florida personal injury lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have developed an excellent reputation for successfully helping Florida clients get the compensation they deserve. What Is the Average Settlement Check Amount? Unfortunately, there is no average amount for Travelers Insurance settlements. All claims are different, and many factors can influence your potential settlement value. Some of the most significant factors that impact your claim’s value include injury type and severity, liability, your total amount of damages, and the available insurance policy limits. Extent of Injury Someone with a spinal cord injury and paralysis will have a higher claim value when compared to someone who sustained soft tissue injuries that healed within three months. Even similar injuries can have significantly different values. For example, someone with a broken leg that healed within three months with no residual pain complaints would likely have a lower claim value than someone who is permanently disabled due to a fractured leg. Comparative Fault Liability also plays a significant role in determining settlement value. Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can still collect a portion of your damages, even if you are partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you are 40% at fault, you can collect 60% of your damages. If you are 60% at fault, you can collect 40% of your damages. Policy Limits Available policy limits can also impact your settlement value. Two cases can be worth similar amounts, but available insurance can affect how much you receive. Consider a situation where you have $200,000 in damages. If the at-fault party only has $50,000 in insurance coverage, you won’t be able to collect the total $200,000 unless you sue the defendant directly or have other potential avenues of recovery. On the other hand, if the defendant has $500,000 in available coverage, you could receive the total value of your claim from the defendant’s insurance company. How Long Will My Claim Take? How long it takes your case to resolve can also vary. Some claims might settle right away, while others can take several years. Claims that resolve quickly often involve significant injuries and low insurance policy limits. If it’s evident that the other party is at fault and your financial losses exceed the available bodily injury insurance, the adjuster may offer to pay the policy limits early in the process. However, be cautious of insurance adjusters who make early settlement offers. The adjuster knows your claim is worth more in many cases but wants to resolve early to cap their exposure. They hope by offering you some money now, you will settle before the actual value of your claim is revealed.  If Travelers denies your claim for lack of coverage or liability, you will need to file a lawsuit. Claims that enter the litigation phase may take considerably longer to resolve. It could be several years at that point before your case goes to trial or there are further negotiation talks. Tips for Dealing with Travelers Insurance If you are unrepresented, dealing with an insurance company can be daunting. You want to keep some helpful tips in mind when dealing with Travelers to improve your chances at a better settlement. Do Not Give the Adjuster a Recorded Statement Whenever you open a claim, the insurance company will request a recorded statement from you. This request may seem harmless, and the adjuster will assure you that it is standard practice in the claims process. However, that statement could harm your case. The adjuster is looking for you to say anything that gives them the chance to place liability on you or reduce your claim value. Be cautious if you are supposed to meet with a claims representative in person as well. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement, and most personal injury attorneys will advise against it. When an attorney represents you, the insurance company cannot speak with you directly. Instead, all communication is between the adjuster and your attorney. Do Not Sign a Release You should not accept a settlement offer or sign a release of all claims without first speaking to a Tampa personal injury attorney. Once you sign a release or cash a settlement check, you extinguish the right to any future claims. If you are not done with your medical treatment and find out after signing a release that you need additional surgery, you cannot demand further compensation. That is why you should have a clear picture of your total claim value before engaging in negotiation talks or agreeing to settle. Retain an Attorney The best tip for dealing with Travelers or any other insurance company is to retain an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you. Attorneys, especially those who have prior experience negotiating with Travelers Insurance, can benefit you in these situations. Your attorney will protect your rights, gather evidence, and negotiate directly with the Travelers representative. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we have years of experience resolving personal injury insurance claims with insurance companies, including Travelers. What to Do If Travelers Contacts You If Travelers Insurance contacts you, it’s important you know your rights. You are not legally obligated to talk to the other party’s insurance company. As the third-party insurance company, Travelers does not have your best interests in mind. Instead, their priority is protecting their insured. That means the claims adjuster will be looking for any way to reduce their exposure. Dealing with the insurance company on your own can seem daunting. That is one reason why working with an experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer is recommended. When one of our attorneys represents you, we will handle all communication with the other party’s insurance company. Please do not feel pressured to...

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Average Farmers Insurance Settlement Amount in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: Accidents | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

If you have a car insurance claim involving Farmers Insurance, you are naturally curious about how their process works and how they are to deal with. You might also be curious about the average Farmers Insurance payouts for a car accident or another type of personal injury claim. Whether you or the other driver had Farmers Insurance coverage, the claims process is essentially the same. The value of your claim will depend on the specific economic and non-economic damages you suffered. However, you could be entitled to pursue compensation for your medical treatment, lost income, personal property damage, and some types of pain and suffering. In Florida, the car accident attorneys of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk provide compassionate and aggressive legal representation to injury accident victims. We have a long history of negotiating settlements with Farmers, and we understand how to get the maximum compensation for your damages. What Is the Average Farmers Insurance Claim Settlement Amount? Every injury accident victim’s experience is unique, as are the damages they suffer. This makes it virtually impossible to estimate any type of average Farmers Insurance settlement amount in Florida. Your claim’s value will be based on your actual damages. This could include your medical care and treatment, lost income, car repair or replacement cost, etc. In Florida, you might not be able to recover compensation for some types of emotional distress. Florida law limits mental suffering and emotional trauma damages to only those that cause the victim to have some kind of resulting physical manifestation. To determine what the potential value of your claim might be, schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable Florida injury accident attorney. After reviewing the details of your case, an attorney can provide you with an estimate of your claim’s value and how long it might take to negotiate a settlement with Farmers. Farmers Insurance Company Information Farmers was founded in 1928 for the purpose of providing coverage for the vehicles of rural American farmers. Today, the company offers a wide range of products, including property and casualty insurance, life insurance, and business insurance. The company also owns several smaller insurance companies, including Foremost Insurance, Bristol West Insurance, and The 21st Century Insurance Group. The company is currently in the process of acquiring other entities, including MetLife. Over the years, Farmers has had its share of consumer complaints and legal problems. In fact, the company was previously named as one of the poorest performers for paying auto accident claims. How Long Will My Farmers Insurance Claim Settlement Take? If you read through some of the Better Business Bureau consumer complaints against the company, it seems as though Farmers Insurance settlement checks don’t always show up when claimants believe they should. Although it’s difficult to determine what the real story is behind any online consumer complaint, this could indicate a pattern. Because so many factors are involved in the personal injury claims and settlement process, it isn’t possible to determine any average time necessary to settle a car accident claim with Farmers. In some cases, if the claim is fairly simple and straightforward, you could get a settlement within a few weeks. However, for any case that involves serious injuries and extensive damages, you can safely assume that the process could take months. If the company will not negotiate a settlement in good faith—or if Farmers won’t offer a reasonable settlement value—you may need to file a lawsuit. However, in most cases, lawyers can successfully negotiate car accident claims with Farmers. This gets a check into your hand as soon as possible and saves you the time and cost of going to court. How to Contact Farmers Insurance in Florida To file a car accident claim with Farmers, you can call the company’s toll free number, 800-435-7764. You can also file a Farmers Insurance claim online or using the Farmers mobile app. You can use the online interface to file a claim whether you are the insured party or the other driver has Farmers. Once your claim has been set up, you will be able to login to check the status of your claim any time. The site also has additional informational resources, including a helpful car accident checklist. The other option for reporting a claim with Farmers Insurance is to let an experienced personal injury lawyer handle it on your behalf. Your attorney will handle everything, including communicating and negotiating with Farmers. This leaves you free to focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back on your feet. Tips For Dealing with Farmers Insurance Claims Getting a Farmers Insurance settlement shouldn’t be overly difficult or time-consuming. Unfortunately, the process often gets delayed through no fault of the claimant. Like any insurer, you can expect Farmers to at least try to deny your claim or to reduce its value as much as possible. Getting the settlement you deserve requires negotiation. Unfortunately, you might not have the industry-specific knowledge or experience to get the compensation you deserve. Consider having an attorney handle Farmers on your behalf. Experienced personal injury attorneys know exactly how Farmers and other insurance companies work. Your lawyer can document your claim and build the most persuasive case possible. They can also press Farmers to engage in the negotiations process to expedite the resolution of your claim. Should I Get a Lawyer to Handle My Farmers Claim? Nothing in Florida’s laws requires that you hire an attorney to handle a personal injury claim. If your case is simple and straightforward, and if the insurance company is responsive to your claim, you should be able to get the settlement you need. However, if your claim is more complex, or if it involves a significant injury, having a lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Your lawyer can also help ensure that you comply with all the applicable laws and ensure you don’t miss any time limits. Before you provide a recorded statement or discuss any potential settlement offers with Farmers, talk to a...

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Average UPS Accident Settlement in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: Accidents | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

The United Parcel Service’s (UPS) brown vans are one of the most recognizable brand symbols in the world. Aside from the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS is the largest parcel carrier operating in the US today. While Amazon’s trucks are popping up more and more often, their reach is not yet that of UPS. In 2020, UPS had more than 125,000 parcel delivery vehicles in operation bringing a total revenue of over $80 billion for the company. At the global level, UPS drivers delivered nearly 20 million packages per day in that same year. With all these vehicles on the road, accidents happen; there is no way around it. Like all drivers on the road, UPS drivers sometimes make mistakes, which leads to accidents. Because of the relative size of UPS vehicles compared to most of the other cars on the road, accidents with UPS trucks are often more severe than typical car accidents. Not only are UPS vehicles bigger than most other cars, they are often loaded with weight, which further increases the amount of force (and damage) in UPS accidents. One of the main questions about UPS lawsuit settlements that we get at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is: What is the average UPS accident settlement in Florida? The answer to this question depends on your individual circumstances. What Is the Average UPS Lawsuit Settlement? The truth is, there is no average UPS lawsuit settlement. Every car accident is different, as is every car accident with a UPS vehicle. The amount of damages, the type and scope of insurance policies involved, and even the lawyers involved with a given UPS lawsuit can all affect the size of a UPS lawsuit settlement. In sum, the size of your UPS lawsuit settlement depends entirely on the circumstances of your case.  What Factors Affect the Size of a UPS Lawsuit Settlement? There are many factors that impact the size of any potential UPS lawsuit settlement. Some of the factors will increase your settlement amount, while others will decrease it. Conversely, some factors can go both ways. If some of the following factors apply to your case, your settlement amount will go up, relatively speaking: Hospitalization, Emergency medical transport, Surgery, Physical rehabilitation, In-home help or in-home caregiving, A death, The loss of a limb or other bodily function, “Totalling” your vehicle, Malicious intent on the part of the driver, Mental health or other psychological issues arising out of the accident, and Permanent or temporary disability. How Can I Maximize My UPS Lawsuit Settlement? There are a few things you can do that will help you maximize your UPS lawsuit settlement. Perhaps chief among these is to retain the services of an experienced car accident attorney. Even better is to retain the services of a car accident attorney with specific experience in litigating against UPS or other parcel delivery services. If you hire an attorney to represent you, UPS is more likely to take your claim seriously. Without an attorney on your side, UPS is much more likely to try to get you to accept a settlement that does not fully cover your damages. Furthermore, car accident attorneys are adept negotiators, and there is no substitute for their prior experience. Aside from hiring an attorney, there are other ways to maximize your settlement. One of the best ways of maximizing your settlement is carefully documenting all the damages you suffered. Take pictures of your car after the accident to illustrate damages. Then take your vehicle to a few different repair shops to have the damages appraised. The more appraisals you get, the better. You should also document your injuries. Maintain a record of any medical procedures or evaluations you have done, and consider asking your doctor to provide as much detail as possible. When you receive medical treatment, always document any invoices or other bills you receive. Maintaining a journal of any physical or emotional distress you have will also help you prove the damages you suffered. Such a journal will also help you get the medical treatment you need. At the end of the day, without documenting the damages you suffer, you will face an uphill battle recovering them. What Is It Like to Deal with UPS and Their Insurers? Fortunately, dealing with UPS and their insurers is a bit more straightforward than working with other parties. The main reason for this is that UPS is self-insured. Most companies that operate commercial vehicles contract with a third-party liability insurer. That means that most of the time, instead of working with an insurance adjuster that works for the company directly, you are dealing with an entirely separate entity. That entity then needs to get approval from the liable party before you can agree to any settlement. Not so with UPS. Since UPS is self-insured, you are dealing with a direct representative of the company. That means fewer parties are involved, which translates to less red tape. As a result, settlement negotiations with UPS are often quicker and more efficient than those with a commercial party who uses a third-party liability insurer. If You Need to File a UPS Lawsuit If you need to file a UPS lawsuit in Florida, Abrahamson & Uiterwyk can help you get the settlement you deserve. For more than 30 years, our team of dedicated personal injury attorneys has helped more than 20,000 clients recover damages in all forms of personal injury cases. We have successfully litigated against private parties, but also against large commercial parties including UPS. To date, we have helped our clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. With our experience on your side, you can rest easy and focus on your recovery. Check out our client testimonials page to hear what our other clients have to say, then call us today for your free consultation!

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Average USAA Car Accident Settlement Amount in Florida

Aug 25, 2021 | Category: Accidents | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

If you need to file a car accident claim with USAA in Florida, you are understandably anxious to get the process moving. The sooner you can get your claim submitted, the sooner you can get a resolution—and a settlement check. If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a USAA customer, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. If you are a USAA policyholder yourself, you might also find yourself pursuing a claim under your personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured, or underinsured motorist coverage. It can be especially helpful to understand more about USAA’s claims process. Some common questions that injury accident victims have include how long it takes to get a USAA car accident settlement and whether the company will be fair in its dealings with your claim. In settling an injury claim with USAA, it can be helpful to have some background on the company. However, it’s more important to get a basic idea about how to submit a claim, how their process works, and how to keep the process moving along. If you have questions about the process, or if you feel that you might need some help getting a fair settlement for your injuries and other damages, consider talking to an experienced Florida car accident lawyer. The attorneys of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have more than three decades of experience. We have helped multiple clients get a USAA personal injury settlement, and we can help you get the justice you deserve. What Is the Average USAA Car Accident Settlement Check Amount? The value of any car accident claim can vary significantly depending on the details of the case. It’s not possible to identify any average USAA car accident settlement amount in Florida or any other state. Typically, accident victims are entitled to pursue compensation for their physical, emotional, and economic damages. Clients often ask whether they can include compensation for emotional distress in their USAA settlement amount. Due to Florida’s “Impact Rule,” it can be challenging to recover these damages—but not impossible. Many victims recover compensation for mental and emotional trauma. However, they must prove that the trauma resulted in physical symptoms. An experienced Florida car accident attorney can review the details of your case and give you a better idea of what your claim might be worth. How Long Will My USAA Car Accident Claim Take to Settle? One of the most common questions we hear is: How long does it take USAA to pay an insurance claim? The time required to settle a USAA personal injury claim varies based on the details of the case. The more complex the claim, the longer it might take to get a resolution. For example, negotiating USAA whiplash settlements shouldn’t typically take as long as negotiating settlements for more severe or permanent injuries. The process of getting a USAA insurance claim payout is similar to that of any other insurer. Once you report your claim to the company, a representative of the company—usually an insurance adjuster—will contact you. The adjuster will go over the details of the accident with you and ask you for a recorded statement. They will also ask you to provide copies of your medical bills and any other relevant documentation you may have. The adjuster will then conduct their own investigation and, eventually, come back to you with a decision. The decision could be that they reject your claim outright. More likely, they might make a small settlement offer that won’t even cover your out-of-pocket costs. Insurance companies often make significantly undervalued settlement offers because injury accident victims will frequently accept the lowball offers. Accident victims might believe they won’t be able to get USAA to make a better offer or, as is often the case, their dire situation has them desperate for any economic relief. Whatever the circumstances of your case, never provide any statement or discuss any potential settlement with USAA before you talk to an attorney to explore your options. What Is USAA? Formed in 1922 as the United States Army Automobile Association, USAA (now the United Services Automobile Association) was established for the sole purpose of insuring a group of U.S. Army officers. At the time, the officers set out to self-insure, as other insurers refused to provide coverage, citing their position as “high risk.” Today, USAA provides property and casualty insurance for current and former U.S. service members, their spouses, and their children. With more than 13 million members today, the company reports a net worth of $40 billion and $200 billion in total assets. USAA also reports paying out $16 billion in claims in 2020. USAA is member-owned. In other words, the company does not have investors and shareholders. Instead, its duty is to those who hold policies and use the company’s affiliated financial services, such as banking and investment advisement. The company disburses profits in the form of dividends to policyholders—$1.1 billion in auto policyholder dividends were paid in 2020—and through the support of military-related causes. According to the Better Business Bureau, USAA has 1,494 recorded BBB complaints, all of which the company resolved. Almost 600 of those complaints were filed in the past 12 months. USAA’s BBB customer review average is 1.25 stars out of 5. Because the insurer is not a BBB accredited company, however, it does not have a Better Business Bureau rating.  USAA does have some negative history with Florida customers. In 2017, USAA settled a class action lawsuit filed in 2013 by Florida policyholders. The settlement amount was reported as $39 million. The suit challenged the insurer for how it compensated auto policyholders for sales tax when they replaced a total loss vehicle. How to Contact USAA in Florida USAA encourages its policyholders to initiate their claim through the USAA online claims center. When you scroll down, you will see the option to file an auto claim. The option for filing a non-policyholder claim with USAA is offered as well. You can also check...

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Business Owner’s Guide To Business Interruption Insurance Claims and COVID-19

Aug 24, 2021 | Category: COVID-19 | By Sterling

Business Interruption Claim Denied? Let’s Talk. When something beyond your control prevents your business from operating, the effects can be devastating. Many businesses have business interruption insurance to protect them when a disaster occurs. Business interruption insurance can compensate owners for business losses sustained while they are trying to get up and running again. Business interruption insurance has become a hot topic in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many business owners have been forced to close their doors or significantly scale back operations. Businesses suffering from financial hardship due to coronavirus are turning to their business interruption insurance for pandemic relief. However, insurance companies have been reluctant to cover losses based on coronavirus. If you are unsure whether business interruption coverage is included in your business’s insurance policy or what losses it covers, it’s a good idea to talk to an experienced Florida insurance claims attorney. Your attorney can help you review and interpret your policy and determine what coverage it includes. But to get you started, we have created this guide to help you navigate the uncertainty you may face in reviewing your insurance policy, filing a business interruption claim, and resolving your claim denial. What Is Business Interruption Insurance? The purpose of business interruption insurance is to cover losses to your business when it is unable to operate as a result of covered damage to your property. Repairs for property damage can be expensive. However, the losses you suffer from being unable to run your business during the repair period can be even greater. Especially if the repairs are going to drag on for a while, you may not be able to keep up with your overhead, employee salaries and benefits, or loan payments. Not to mention the profits you will lose during that time. To make a claim, you must generally show: There was physical damage to your property The damage was caused by a covered event The damage is the reason you had to shut down operations Your financial losses resulted from the shutdown If you meet these requirements, you can make business interruption insurance claims in Florida that will help you keep your head above water until your business can reopen. What Is Covered by Business Interruption Insurance? The events covered by business interruption insurance depend on the terms of your individual policy. Covered events may include: Fire Water damage Flooding Storm damage Earthquakes Vandalism Equipment failure Contamination Ordered shut down by civil or military authorities Your loss of business insurance policy likely contains exclusions outlining specific events that it doesn’t cover. For example, your policy may exclude floods or earthquakes if you have not added additional coverage to your policy. Some policies also exclude closures based on pandemics or contamination. Your policy may require a waiting period before you can make claims for certain events. For example, your policy may require your business to be shut down for a minimum number of days before it will cover losses for things like power outages or a shut down by a civil authority. Terms can vary from policy to policy, so it’s important to review the specific terms of your policy to determine what it covers. If your insurance company has denied a business interruption insurance claim, an insurance claims attorney can review the terms of your policy to determine what options you might have to fight the denial. What Financial Relief Can I Get from Business Interruption Insurance Claims in Florida? Business interruption insurance typically covers losses incurred during the “period of restoration.” This is the time it should reasonably take to repair or replace the damaged property. Policy-holders may be able to purchase additional coverage that extends for some time beyond the restoration period (say, 30 days). This gives the business a little extra time to get back on its feet. Business interruption insurance claims in Florida may cover many of the following losses. Loan Payments Business interruption insurance can help you keep up with your small business loans and other loan payments while your business is shut down. Mortgages and Leases Loss of business insurance can cover the cost of mortgage or lease payments for your premises while your business isn’t operating. It can also cover leases on equipment. Utility Bills Ongoing monthly costs for things like phone service, water, and electricity may be covered by your business interruption insurance until your premises are repaired. Relocation Expenses If you need to move to a new location either temporarily or permanently, your insurance may cover moving expenses. Your insurance can also pay for temporary costs associated with operating out of a new location, such as temporary rent. Lost Revenue or Lost Profits Business interruption insurance should compensate you for income that you would have been able to earn if you had been able to continue operating your business. There may be different ways to calculate this, depending on the terms of your policy. Some policies consider gross revenue, while others consider lost profits. Records of your earnings in previous months and years can be very helpful in demonstrating your losses to the insurance company. Employee Wages and Benefits If a disaster forces you to close your business, you may not be able to pay employee wages or benefits. Business interruption insurance can help you keep up with your obligations to your employees. Taxes Even though your tax obligations will likely decrease when you are forced to close your business, you will still have some tax liabilities. Perhaps you were counting on revenue in the next quarter to pay your income taxes for the year or to pay a property tax that is coming due. Business interruption insurance can help make sure you can pay your taxes when you aren’t bringing in revenue. Why Would Business Interruption Insurance Deny Coverage? An insurer may deny your business interruption claim if it determines that your loss or its cause was not covered by your policy. The best way to determine what your business interruption insurance does and doesn’t...

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Average Allstate Car Accident Settlement in Florida

Aug 3, 2021 | Category: Valuing Injury Claims | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

Consulting an Experienced Law Firm Can Help You Maximize Your Allstate Car Accident Settlement Allstate is a well-known insurance company whose television ads center on how easy they are to work with. Well, that may be true if you pay regular premiums for their insurance products. However, you will not be “in good hands with Allstate” if you suffered injuries in an accident caused by someone they insure. What they hide is their unwillingness to offer a fair Allstate car accident settlement once one of their customers hurts you. If you sustained injuries in a car crash caused by an Allstate customer, you are going to need an aggressive, tough, and knowledgeable Florida car accident lawyer to fight for justice. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we understand that a car accident often derails peoples’ lives. That is why we use our extensive experience and wealth of resources to give you the help you need to pursue the compensation you deserve. What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Florida? You might be surprised to learn that there is no average Allstate settlement amount in Florida. Each case turns on the facts and circumstances of the accident. As a result, calculating the “average” of all Allstate accident insurance payouts is impossible. You should resist the urge to compare your accident to someone else’s. You do not know all of the nuances and variables that could make a huge difference in your Allstate car accident settlement. Instead, the focus must be on you and your case. Your injuries are unique to you. The way the injuries upset your life is also unique. You should be wary when someone who does not know the law or your case tries to tell you how much it is worth. Instead, you should rely on the opinion of an experienced Florida car accident attorney to analyze your claim. What Factors Affect an Allstate Accident Insurance Payout? Florida law allows an injured person to collect damages from everyone who contributed to their injuries, as well as their pain and suffering. The amount of compensation you could recover depends on factors such as: The severity of your injuries; Whether you suffered permanent injuries or scarring; How much time you were forced out of work; If you will lose money or economic opportunities in the future because of your injuries; Whether you have injuries that will need treatment in the future; The amount of pain and suffering you experienced; and The amount of mental anguish you suffered as a result of the crash. Not every case will include all of these damages. Some cases might involve punitive damages as well. Every case is different and talking with a knowledgeable lawyer can help you better understand what your case is worth. Do Allstate Settlement Calculators Work? To put it bluntly, no, Allstate settlement calculators do not work. We have discussed some of the variables that go into determining how much your case is worth. There is no way that a “settlement calculator” can compute all of the idiosyncrasies and nuances involved in your claim.  Perhaps more importantly, the settlement calculator is run by a company that does not want to pay you any money in the first place. Why would you trust an adversarial calculator to give you an accurate statement of the value of your claim? Companies like Allstate put settlement calculators on their websites to deter people from talking to lawyers. They know that they can save money by making lowball calculations to people without lawyers.  You should only rely on the analysis of a Florida car accident lawyer with over 30 years of experience fighting to help clients maximize their Allstate settlement. How Fast Can I Get My Money? We understand that you and your family are in a financial bind because of your accident. The financial strain can become unbearable. As a result, you might think that taking a quick, easy settlement would solve your problems. One of the first questions our clients ask is “How long does it take Allstate to settle an auto accident?” We realize that you need money fast and we work to get your Allstate settlement check fast. But we cannot simply accept any bodily injury settlement offer they make. We need to make sure that we review your case thoroughly before we answer the question, How long does it take Allstate to pay a claim? Beware of Quick Allstate Accident Insurance Payouts Insurance companies like Allstate have adjusters who work within parameters when offering settlements on Allstate personal injury claims. They know that offering a quick settlement, especially if a lawyer is not involved, might help them settle a claim for less money than it is worth. For instance, suppose a distracted driver hit you from behind. You could be seriously hurt. However, the adjuster might give you a standard Allstate rear-end settlement offer that sounds good at first. You might think that accepting a quick and easy soft tissue injury settlement from Allstate is the best option for you. However, you should consider talking to a lawyer who understands your case thoroughly before deciding whether you should accept a settlement.  Accepting a quick settlement now puts some money in your pocket quickly. But, once you accept the settlement and sign a release agreement, you cannot file another claim against the at-fault driver. You are stuck with the settlement agreement and can never go back for more money, no matter what happens. So if you accept a low offer and later develop a long-term costly disability, you are forever barred from going back to the table and asking for more money.  Why Should I Get an Attorney? You might be tempted by the notion that you could save money by handling your claim without hiring a lawyer. There are several reasons why you should hire a lawyer instead of trying to negotiate a settlement with Allstate by yourself.  The most important reason is that insurance companies reduce their offers when talking...

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Average Bodily Injury Claim Settlement in Florida

Aug 3, 2021 | Category: Valuing Injury Claims | By Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

Putting the pieces of your life back together after suffering a personal injury can be incredibly difficult. Regardless of whether you are claiming bodily injury because of a car accident, dog bite, or a slip and fall, you are likely wondering what the average bodily injury settlement is in Florida. As we’ll discuss below, the average bodily injury settlement varies based on the circumstances of your case.  However, the best way to know the value of your claim is by seeking legal assistance. That is why we recommend consulting an attorney right away.  What Factors Affect the Average Bodily Injury Claim? There are several components that can either increase or decrease bodily injury claim settlement amounts.  Medical Bills For many bodily injury cases, the cost of receiving proper medical treatment is an important factor. Naturally, the cost of medical treatment ranges greatly based on the type and severity of your injury. A minor and temporary injury like a muscle strain may require only a single doctor visit.  On the other hand, a more serious injury—such as brain trauma or a spinal fracture—may result in seven-figure medical bills.  The higher the cost of your medical treatment, the higher the value of your bodily injury settlement.  An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you pursue compensation not only for past medical treatment costs but also for all future anticipated medical costs, including the cost of therapeutic and rehabilitative remedies. Pain and Suffering Another significant factor in bodily injury claims is pain and suffering. Most people don’t know that they can obtain significant compensation for all pain and suffering that they have experienced because of their bodily injuries.  Unlike medical bills, pain and suffering damages are often difficult to estimate. In general, your bodily injury claim settlement will be higher if you experience pain and suffering over a longer period of time. The degree and pervasiveness of the pain will also affect your bodily injury claim value.  Wage Losses (Past and Future) Yet another frequent cost in personal injury cases is lost wages from missing work. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might miss a week, a month, or even a year of work. In extreme cases, you might receive a disability which permanently prevents you from being able to perform your job.  If that happens, you can pursue compensation for both the wages that you have lost in the past and anticipated future lost wages.  Is There a Bodily Injury Calculator in Florida to Help Me Find My Bodily Injury Claim Value? No. No accurate bodily injury settlement calculator exists in Florida. But a knowledgeable personal injury attorney will be able to give you a general sense of what your case may be worth based on your individual circumstances and their past experience with bodily injury claim settlements.  What Can a Lawyer Do to Help My Bodily Injury Settlement? Knowing how to settle a bodily injury claim is essential to helping you pursue the compensation you deserve. Attorneys know how to settle claims successfully for their clients based on their years of specialized training and professional experience. On top of that, an attorney will be able to realistically assess your case and provide you with a full understanding of your rights. Imagine, for example, that you’re seeking a car accident bodily injury settlement. Just claiming bodily injury in a car accident is far different than successfully negotiating a bodily injury settlement. For one thing, Florida’s no-fault laws prevent you from seeking compensation from an at-fault party unless your injuries are serious. But an experienced attorney will have the negotiation experience and legal knowledge to prove the seriousness of your injuries and maximize your compensation. Moreover, they will aggressively defend your rights against groups like insurance companies that seek to protect themselves at your expense.  Therefore, it’s essential to hire a superb attorney who will advocate on your behalf, collect evidence for your claim, and maximize your compensation.  Want to Learn More About Your Bodily Injury Claim Value? Because there’s no bodily injury calculator in Florida, it’s best to seek out an experienced personal injury attorney. But it’s important to choose the right attorney to assist you as you pursue a bodily injury settlement.  Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is a personal injury law firm based out of Tampa, Florida. For over 30 years, we’ve fought zealously for over 20,000 clients. Our attorneys have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our customers, including many multi-million dollar case results. Our practice focuses specifically on helping our clients pursue bodily injury claim settlements. Feel free to peruse our hundreds of positive client testimonials.  On top of that, you incur absolutely no legal fees or costs unless you win.  Give us a call today at 855-293-5630 or contact us online.

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