Accident lawyers can help St. Petersburg clients who have been injured due to another’s negligence receive the compensation they deserve. The injuries stemming from an accident vary from scrapes and bruises to broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. If someone is responsible for your injuries, per Florida law, you may be entitled to compensation. Accidents range from car crashes and boating collisions to slip and falls. Regardless of the type of incident, the victim — the personal injury plaintiff — has the burden of proof. The party with the burden of proof must prove that the at-fault party was negligent and caused the damages.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Filing a personal injury claim in St. Petersburg, Florida is necessary to make strides towards receiving compensation. In general, the first step is to file a claim. Then, the insurance company may attempt to negotiate a settlement offer. If there is no settlement, you can file a lawsuit with the court, taking the case to trial. You may want to pursue alternative forms of dispute resolution in certain situations, such as when the insurance company will not offer a reasonable settlement.

If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Acquiring this compensation can be a complicated, lengthy process, but experienced accident lawyers can help facilitate matters. At Berkowitz & Myer in St. Petersburg, Florida, we help clients recover compensation after a personal injury. We help by streamlining the process and doing everything we can to get the most favorable outcome for your case.

Personal Injuries and Lawsuits

Before filing a personal injury claim, the plaintiff will usually need to contact the at-fault party’s insurance. This alerts the insurance company of the potential for a lawsuit. Most insurance companies would rather settle than go to court. Negotiating with the at-fault’s insurance company can be tricky, so having a team of accident lawyers on your side is critical at this stage.

Negotiating a Settlement

After you complete medical treatment and recovery from your injuries, your accident lawyers will need records of your treatment and expenses to determine how much compensation your case calls for. If the at-fault party’s insurance company accepts liability, they will review the demand package and make an initial offer. Most initial settlement offers are low, and your attorney will make a counter-demand to raise the compensation package amount. Then, the insurance company will respond with a counter-offer. The negotiations will continue until an agreement or an impasse is reached. The more serious the injuries, the more complex the negotiations may be. In general, the negotiations can take weeks or even months.

Creating a Demand Package

Your accident lawyers will create a demand package after you finish your medical treatment and they have copies of your medical records and expenses. This package will go to a claims adjuster at the insurance company. This demand package will illustrate your injuries and any wage losses you have sustained from the incident. Submission of the demand package initiates the negotiation process. For serious cases, like permanent disfigurement or loss of limbs, your attorney may attempt to demand the insurance company’s policy limit. Regardless, they will use their experience and education to get you the best settlement your case permits if a settlement is possible.

Lawsuits and Litigation

If the insurance company of the at-fault party will not accept liability or you are unable to settle, filing a lawsuit is an option. Merely filing a lawsuit does not guarantee the case will go to court, but it is an essential first step towards getting the compensation you deserve. Should the case go to trial, your accident lawyers will help you prepare. Most cases settle outside of court, whether by negotiating a settlement or court arbitration.

For Accident Lawyers You Can Trust, Choose Berkowitz & Myer

If you have been in an accident in the St. Petersburg area and need the assistance of experienced accident lawyers during your pursuit for compensation, trust Berkowitz & Myer. Contact us online or give us a call at (727) 344-0123 to schedule a consultation.