We’ve all heard how important it is to drive defensively; but what about insuring defensively? A recent study by the Insurance Research Council found that one in every four Florida drivers may be driving without insurance. With a strong correlation between uninsured driving and unemployment, that number only grows as we continue to face tough economic times. Florida law requires every driver to have automobile insurance, and a driver who doesn’t may be fined, lose their license, or lose their registration or vehicle tag. However, drivers who are facing tough situations like unemployment or underemployment may take the risk and break the law that requires they have automobile insurance before operating their vehicle. This is a big risk not only for themselves, but for other drivers on the road as well.
To protect yourself against this risk, it is important to have adequate insurance coverage in case you are ever in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver. In order to protect yourself, you should purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as part of your insurance policy. This will protect you if you are in a collision with an at-fault driver whose own insurance cannot cover your vehicle damage or your bodily injury. Our firm regularly evaluates claims that involve at-fault drivers who have no, or not enough, insurance. Florida’s laws on debtor protection often make it difficult or impossible to collect against an at-fault driver if they are uninsured. There are many lawyers who don’t understand the intricacies of Florida’s insurance law, so it is important that you find an attorney who has experience and expertise in accident cases involving insurance. Our experienced attorneys have spent years working within Florida’s system to get recoveries for injured motorists. If you or someone you know has been in an accident and is faced with the daunting task of sorting through the intricacies of our insurance system, please feel free to contact us to get more information on how we can help you recover for your losses.
Showing posts with label Auto Accident. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auto Accident. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Spring Newsletter
We are excited to announce that The Law Office of Keith R. Taylor is publishing a quarterly newsletter! This is our Spring 2011 edition of Legally Speaking. Previous issues will available on our website (www.keithtaylorlaw.com) soon. If you would like to receive the newsletter either by mail or electronically, please click here. Thanks for reading!
Friday, October 8, 2010
ADVERTISING LAWYERS
Question:
SHOULD I HIRE A LAWYER I ONLY KNOW FROM A BILLBOARD OR TELEVISION AD? Tammy, Inverness, Florida
Answer by Attorney Keith Taylor:
Lawyers in Florida are regulated by The Florida Bar. The Florida Bar attempts to regulate lawyer advertising, but the standards are not easy to identify and are inconsistently applied. All advertising should carry a warning that tells potential clients that they should not base their decision to hire a lawyer solely on advertising, and that they can request written information related to the lawyer's qualifications. Most people don't pick a doctor because of a billboard or yellow page ad, but for some reason, many choose their lawyer that way.
The best way to find a qualified lawyer who will represent your interests in any legal matter is to speak with friends, family and other professional community members (accountants, clergy, doctors, etc...) and find out what they know about any particular lawyer or law firm. Being referred to a lawyer by someone you trust is usually the best way to ensure a positive relationship and experience.
Most billboard and television (even yellow page) advertisers do not have an active office in the rural areas in which they advertise. When a prospective client calls the "1-800" number, the intake clerk will usually take some information and offer to send someone to you (because they don't have a local office). Usually, that person who comes to you is NOT A LAWYER, and if he or she is, they are not likely to be the lawyer who will handle your case. Just because you call the lawyer's office and someone comes to your home, you are not committed to hire that person. You should feel comfortable that your interests will be adequately represented by a qualified lawyer who will keep you properly informed about your case.
Your legal case may be one of the most significant things in your entire life. You should not put this very important matter in the hands of someone you only know from a billboard.
SHOULD I HIRE A LAWYER I ONLY KNOW FROM A BILLBOARD OR TELEVISION AD? Tammy, Inverness, Florida
Answer by Attorney Keith Taylor:
Lawyers in Florida are regulated by The Florida Bar. The Florida Bar attempts to regulate lawyer advertising, but the standards are not easy to identify and are inconsistently applied. All advertising should carry a warning that tells potential clients that they should not base their decision to hire a lawyer solely on advertising, and that they can request written information related to the lawyer's qualifications. Most people don't pick a doctor because of a billboard or yellow page ad, but for some reason, many choose their lawyer that way.
The best way to find a qualified lawyer who will represent your interests in any legal matter is to speak with friends, family and other professional community members (accountants, clergy, doctors, etc...) and find out what they know about any particular lawyer or law firm. Being referred to a lawyer by someone you trust is usually the best way to ensure a positive relationship and experience.
Most billboard and television (even yellow page) advertisers do not have an active office in the rural areas in which they advertise. When a prospective client calls the "1-800" number, the intake clerk will usually take some information and offer to send someone to you (because they don't have a local office). Usually, that person who comes to you is NOT A LAWYER, and if he or she is, they are not likely to be the lawyer who will handle your case. Just because you call the lawyer's office and someone comes to your home, you are not committed to hire that person. You should feel comfortable that your interests will be adequately represented by a qualified lawyer who will keep you properly informed about your case.
Your legal case may be one of the most significant things in your entire life. You should not put this very important matter in the hands of someone you only know from a billboard.
Monday, August 2, 2010
SHOULD I SPEAK WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
Question:
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THE OTHER PERSON'S INSURANCE COMPANY. SHOULD I SPEAK TO THEM?
Answer By Attorney Keith Taylor:
Of course you should contact your own insurance company as soon as practically possible following an accident. You may be contacted by the insurance company for the other person involved in the accident, which may also be the same company as your insurer, so don't be confused. The other insurance company could contact you for a number of reasons. First, they may have liability for the damage to your vehicle, and this would be covered under the other person's Property Damage insurance. Typically, it is normal to have discussions with the Property Damage adjuster regarding repair of your vehicle and rental. You may also be contacted by an adjuster under the other person's Bodily Injury Liability insurance policy. Typically, you should not speak with this person until you have consulted with an attorney regarding your rights. Many times, this Bodily Injury adjuster will want to 'take your statement' about the crash, and will most often request to record that statement. There is no requirement that you speak with this adjuster, and most of the time, you should wait to do so until you have discussed your case and injuries with a qualified attorney. Likewise, you should not sign any forms or submit anything to the other party's insurance company related to your injuries or medical treatment until you have consulted with an attorney familiar with handling these types of cases.
Understand, however, that under you own policy of insurance, you must 'cooperate' with your company, which may include signing forms and giving a statement.
Insurance law is very complicated, so it is important that you meet with an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to discuss your case; your rights and responsibilities. To learn more about Automobile Accidents or Personal Injury, visit our website at www.KeithTaylorLaw.com.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THE OTHER PERSON'S INSURANCE COMPANY. SHOULD I SPEAK TO THEM?
Answer By Attorney Keith Taylor:
Of course you should contact your own insurance company as soon as practically possible following an accident. You may be contacted by the insurance company for the other person involved in the accident, which may also be the same company as your insurer, so don't be confused. The other insurance company could contact you for a number of reasons. First, they may have liability for the damage to your vehicle, and this would be covered under the other person's Property Damage insurance. Typically, it is normal to have discussions with the Property Damage adjuster regarding repair of your vehicle and rental. You may also be contacted by an adjuster under the other person's Bodily Injury Liability insurance policy. Typically, you should not speak with this person until you have consulted with an attorney regarding your rights. Many times, this Bodily Injury adjuster will want to 'take your statement' about the crash, and will most often request to record that statement. There is no requirement that you speak with this adjuster, and most of the time, you should wait to do so until you have discussed your case and injuries with a qualified attorney. Likewise, you should not sign any forms or submit anything to the other party's insurance company related to your injuries or medical treatment until you have consulted with an attorney familiar with handling these types of cases.
Understand, however, that under you own policy of insurance, you must 'cooperate' with your company, which may include signing forms and giving a statement.
Insurance law is very complicated, so it is important that you meet with an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to discuss your case; your rights and responsibilities. To learn more about Automobile Accidents or Personal Injury, visit our website at www.KeithTaylorLaw.com.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Who is responsible for medical bills after an accident?
Question:
SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT MY OWN INSURANCE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS FROM A CAR ACCIDENT, EVEN IF THE OTHER DRIVER WAS AT FAULT. IS THIS TRUE?
Answer by Attorney Keith Taylor:
Under Florida Law, every vehicle is required to maintain certain minimum insurance. This minimum insurances is often referred to as “No-Fault” insurance. “No-Fault” comes from the law in place, which requires each vehicle to have at least Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage (PD) insurances. PIP coverage provides for the payment of 60% of lost wages and 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses. PIP insurance is considered ‘primary’ insurance for medical treatment for injuries related to an automobile accident. So, essentially, that is correct; Your auto insurer will pay for your medical bills (assuming you have the Florida required coverage) after any deductible you may have chosen, and up to the amount of your coverage, which can be no less than $10,000.00. Remember, however, that under PIP, only 80% of the bills are covered, so you may have to resort to other insurance (Medicare, Health Insurance, etc...) or even into your own pocket. Certain additional rights exist if you have a Permanent Injury, and you should consult a qualified attorney to discuss those rights.
SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT MY OWN INSURANCE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS FROM A CAR ACCIDENT, EVEN IF THE OTHER DRIVER WAS AT FAULT. IS THIS TRUE?
Answer by Attorney Keith Taylor:
Under Florida Law, every vehicle is required to maintain certain minimum insurance. This minimum insurances is often referred to as “No-Fault” insurance. “No-Fault” comes from the law in place, which requires each vehicle to have at least Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage (PD) insurances. PIP coverage provides for the payment of 60% of lost wages and 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses. PIP insurance is considered ‘primary’ insurance for medical treatment for injuries related to an automobile accident. So, essentially, that is correct; Your auto insurer will pay for your medical bills (assuming you have the Florida required coverage) after any deductible you may have chosen, and up to the amount of your coverage, which can be no less than $10,000.00. Remember, however, that under PIP, only 80% of the bills are covered, so you may have to resort to other insurance (Medicare, Health Insurance, etc...) or even into your own pocket. Certain additional rights exist if you have a Permanent Injury, and you should consult a qualified attorney to discuss those rights.
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