3 Things to NEVER Do When Dealing with Insurance After Accidents in Florida

Insurance companies may seem eager to help after a car accident in Florida, but their goal is to pay you less. Our attorneys explain what to do (and what not to do) when dealing with insurance after accidents, so you can safeguard your rights and recover fair compensation.

After an auto accident in Florida, your first instinct might be to call your insurance company. They may sound sympathetic, offering to help with repairs, medical bills, or paperwork, and it’s easy to assume they have your best interests at heart. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses whose primary goal is to protect their bottom line, not your recovery. Their adjusters are highly trained to minimize payouts, find inconsistencies, or push you to settle quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries or damages. Even your own insurer can use your words or actions against you to reduce what they owe.

At Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, our Florida car accident attorneys have spent decades standing up to powerful insurance companies and protecting accident victims. Here’s what you need to know before speaking to an insurance adjuster.

Florida’s complicated car insurance system

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning your own insurance company typically pays for your medical expenses and lost wages through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage regardless of who caused the crash.

However, this system doesn’t mean your insurance company is on your side. Insurers are businesses, and their primary goal is to limit payouts even to their own policyholders. That’s why the first phone call you make after an accident shouldn’t be to your insurance company; it should be to an experienced car accident attorney who can protect your rights from the start.

3 things to NEVER do after a car accident

1. Don’t talk to the other driver about the accident

Never discuss fault or make statements about the crash with the other driver. Only speak with law enforcement officers at the scene.

• Your statements to police are privileged and cannot be used against you later.
• Anything you say to the other driver (even a simple “I’m sorry”) can be used as an admission of fault in court.

2. Don’t rush to give a recorded statement

Insurance adjusters often call within hours of a crash to “get your side of the story.” Don’t fall for it.

• Wait until you’ve received medical care and reviewed your accident report.
• If the police report contains errors, contact an attorney before making any statement.
• Never give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company without legal advice.

If you must give a statement:

• Do not guess or speculate.
• Do not minimize your injuries. Be honest — if you’re hurt, say you’re hurt.
• Do not omityour medical care. If you’re seeing a doctor, say so.

3. Don’t sign anything from any insurance company (even your own)

After a crash, insurance companies may send you:

• Medical record releases — allowing them to dig into your full medical history to discredit your claim.
• Settlement releases — which, once signed, permanently end your right to compensation.

Never sign any paperwork from an insurance company until you’ve spoken to a lawyer.
The only exception: if you are pursuing Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist benefits or PIP, your insurer may require certain forms. Even then, review them with your attorney first.

Tips to help protect your insurance claim

• Document everything. Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.
• Get medical treatment right away. Delaying care can hurt your health — and your claim.
• Keep records. Save medical bills, repair estimates, and all correspondence with insurers.
• Call a lawyer early. The sooner an attorney is involved, the better your chances of recovering full and fair compensation.

When to get a lawyer involved when dealing with insurance after accidents

If you’ve been injured in a Florida car accident, it’s always wise to speak with a lawyer before speaking to an insurance adjuster. An experienced attorney can:

• Handle all communications with insurers
• Ensure your rights are protected under Florida’s no-fault laws
• Maximize your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

At Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, we’ve helped countless accident victims navigate the complex insurance aftermath of serious accident and injury cases . . . and we win against powerful insurers.

Injured in an accident? Contact attorneys who don’t back down.

Call 866-930-6435 for a free case review

Insurance companies know our name — and they know we don’t back down. For more than 45 years, the attorneys at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd have stood up to some of the largest insurers in Florida. Our team manages every aspect of your case and insurance claim from start to finish, ensuring that you are protected, informed, and positioned for the best possible outcome.

We understand how stressful and confusing the aftermath of an accident can be. That’s why we handle the paperwork, the phone calls, and the negotiations, so you can focus on your recovery while we focus on your results.

With a long track record of successful settlements, courtroom victories, and satisfied clients, we’ve built our reputation on delivering real results for real people, never backing down when our clients deserve more.

Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Contact Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd today for a free case review by calling 866-930-6435.