M. David Shapiro

After an accident you may meet or be contacted by a representative of your insurance company, or the insurance company for the other party involved your accident, to discuss a settlement of your claim. These representatives – called adjusters – are trained professionals. They are skilled at talking injured parties into settlements that benefit their employers, the insurance companies, rather than you. Although they will appear sincere and concerned, their sole focus is limiting the amount of your settlement. Remember, just as the adjusters look out for the interests of the insurance company, the Law Offices of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh will look out for you.

An inadequate or unfair amount won’t put the accident or act of negligence behind you. It will only leave you less able to handle the physical and financial pain and other possible complications that came from your accident.

It’s easy to accept an insurance company’s first offer. No matter what you decide, your attorney will be the person the insurance companies contact to try to settle your claim. However, the final decision for settlement must be made with your consent.

Unless you are an experienced lawyer in the areas of personal injury or wrongful death cases, it’s almost impossible to place a value on your case or know how much the insurance company should and will pay. We have over 100 years of combined Florida legal experience to help you answer these questions. Your accident may affect you for the rest of your life. We strongly suggest that you don't make a hasty decision. Remember, with Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, there is no charge for our initial consultation. What’s more, if you don't make a money recovery you pay no legal fees or costs.

Florida law requires (www/doi.state.fl.us) that a person who owns a vehicle carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP pays medical bills and property damage to repair another person’s vehicle if you cause an accident. Florida law does not require that people carry bodily injury/liability coverage in the event that they cause an injury to someone else.

The $10,000 that PIP coverage provides will not last very long if you are hospitalized as a result of an automobile accident. To protect yourself from mounting medical bills and permanent injuries, we urge you to purchase uninsured and underinsured liability insurance coverage. In addition to covering any outstanding medical bills, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will be available to you for pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of the enjoyment for the capacity of life.

PIP coverage provides 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses and 60% of lost wages and replacement services if there is a disability note from a doctor. It also provides reimbursements for mileage and prescriptions and $5,000 in death benefits.

This coverage is primary over regular health insurance and may have a deductible.

Report the accident to your insurance company. You can take the at-fault party to court and obtain a judgment against the owner of the car. If he/she fails to pay, report it to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, so it can deal with the owner of the car. More importantly, if you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage, you will have a claim for those benefits to compensate for your losses.

This is a legal principle that says the amount of a person’s negligence in an accident is determined by his contribution to the accident. In Florida, the percentage of the individual's negligence in the accident is usually subtracted from the amount you would otherwise recover.

This is the amount of money YOU need to pay per claim before the insurance company pays its part. Generally, obtaining auto insurance with a deductible is not advisable. This is because you become responsible for significant medical bills, even though you may be unable to work due to injuries.

If the cost at the body shop you choose is higher than the insurance company chooses, you may be responsible for the difference.