A Florida appellate court recently issued an opinion in a lawsuit stemming from an insurance dispute between a Florida policyholder and her car insurance provider. For several years, the plaintiff exercised with the assistance of a personal trainer out of a mobile gym. The gym used the woman’s electricity to power various equipment and machinery. On one occasion, the woman suffered injuries during her workout. She filed a negligence lawsuit against the trainer and the mobile gym’s owner, ultimately settling the claim.
That settlement did not fully compensate the plaintiff for her injuries, however. Thus, to cover her remaining damages, she filed a claim with her insurance company under her uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) policy. The insurance company refused to pay the costs, claiming that the policy did not extend to the circumstances surrounding her injuries. She filed a claim against the Florida car insurance company. Although these facts are admittedly unusual, the case presents a common issue that arises when a policyholder attempts to collect compensation from an insurance company.
Florida insurance companies often take on an adversarial role, even with their own policyholders. Claims adjusters often receive training to negotiate settlements and deny claims in the insurance company’s favor. Several issues commonly arise when a policyholder tries to collect from an insurance company. First, there may be issues surrounding causation. Insurance companies often require motorists to provide evidence of what caused the accident. After establishing causation, they will usually need the party to prove fault. Adjusters will often deny claims based on who they find to be at fault for the accident. If a policyholder overcomes the initial hurdles, they will then need to claim their damages. Insurance companies may try and limit payouts by contending that the policyholder’s injuries were not as severe as they suggest.
Even if a policyholder meets all of these requirements, an insurance company may still wrongfully deny their claim or delay making a decision. Florida law requires insurance companies to act in good faith when determining whether to pay out a claim. However, many valid claims face denial and go unanswered every day. In these instances, Florida car accident victims should retain an experienced attorney to help them get the results they deserve.
Has Your Insurance Company Wrongfully Denied your Florida Accident Claim?
If you believe your insurance company is wrongfully denying or delaying your insurance claim, contact the experienced Florida accident attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A. The attorneys at our firm have over four decades of experience representing Florida car accident victims. We have extensive experience handling the unique challenges that personal injury lawsuits pose. Our attorneys have successfully represented thousands of clients, getting them the compensation they deserve. Compensation typically includes payments for losses related to property damage, medical bills, ongoing treatment and therapy, and funeral and burial expenses. Dealing with insurance companies and their attorneys can be daunting and overwhelming for accident victims, but our skilled Florida injury lawyers have the experience to help put your mind at ease. Contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer on our team.