Have All Insurance Policies Been Identified?
An offer from an at-fault driver’s auto insurance may be a starting point to being made whole, but that doesn’t mean it’s the complete picture. Depending on how the crash happened, there could be multiple insurance policies available to help cover medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other losses.
For individuals with serious injuries, identifying every available source of insurance can make a significant difference in the financial recovery they ultimately receive. That’s why it often makes sense to speak with a knowledgeable Orlando personal injury attorney before accepting an insurance company’s first offer.
A Range of Policies May Be Available
The available coverage after a collision depends on the specific facts of the case. While many claims involve the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, additional policies may also come into play.
Some examples include:
- Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
- Policies covering multiple vehicles in the household.
- Commercial insurance if a business vehicle was involved.
- Employer insurance if the driver was working at the time of the crash.
- Rideshare insurance involving Uber or Lyft drivers.
- Rental car insurance policies.
- Umbrella liability policies that provide additional coverage beyond standard auto insurance.
It’s easy to overlook these possibilities if no one takes the time to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the collision.
Why Identifying Every Policy Matters
Serious car accidents can result in expenses that far exceed the minimum insurance limits carried by many Florida drivers.
Medical treatment may include emergency transportation, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, prescription medications, and follow-up care. On top of those costs, many injured individuals lose income while recovering and may face reduced earning capacity if their injuries have long-term effects.
If only one insurance policy is considered, an injured person may receive far less compensation than may actually be available through other applicable coverage options. And some policies aren’t immediately obvious.
For example, if a contractor causes a crash while performing job duties, there may be a commercial policy available in addition to the driver’s personal coverage. Or if a defective vehicle component contributed to the collision, a product liability claim may exist. Multi-vehicle crashes can also involve several insurance carriers, making the claims process much more complex.
An Orlando personal injury attorney can request documentation, investigate ownership records, review employment relationships, and determine whether additional coverage exists that might otherwise go unnoticed. Insurance companies generally evaluate claims based on the policies they insure. They are not responsible for searching for every possible source of compensation that could benefit an injured person.
Before accepting an offer, make sure every possible avenue for recovery has been explored. Legal support is available, you don’t have to navigate the claims process on your own.
Have you been contacted by an adjuster about a settlement? It may be tempting to simply accept the offer they put forward, but talk to the experienced attorneys at Israoui Law first in order to protect yourself from undue loss. For the personal attention you deserve, call 407-381-4529. Always speak to an experienced accident attorney before speaking to any insurance company.
