GEICO Accident Attorney in Miami
Being hurt in an accident that is not your fault is frustrating, particularly car crashes. No one is happy when their vehicle is suddenly out of commission and they have to figure out another way to get to and from work and school, or how to take care of their children. Yet you must handle the situation. If you need to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance and they have a GEICO policy, your best strategy is to contact a GEICO accident lawyer in Miami.
Gerson & Schwartz P.A. have over 50 years of experience handling car accident claims and dealing with GEICO adjusters. Our lawyers routinely file auto accident claims against GEICO insurance company. We are also here to help if you must file a claim against your own GEICO policy after an accident. In either situation, GEICO is a business interested in protecting its bottom line. Having a car accident lawyer with experience by your side ensures you obtain a fair outcome from GEICO and not a wrongly denied claim or low settlement offer.
A Brief History of GEICOGEICO was created by Leo and Lillian Goodwin in 1936. By 1948, the company was doing well and an investment banker, Lorimer Davidson, joined. He would later succeed Leo Goodwin after the founder’s retirement. In 1964, fewer than 30 years in business, GEICO surpassed having 1 million policies-in-force. In a few more years, the company’s net earnings reached $13 million. GEICO’s success story continued for decades and in 1996, Warrant Buffet made the company a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
The modern image of GEICO that so many people have come to know and love, the Gecko, began in 1999. Between a successful marketing campaign and strong managerial strategies, GEICO hit the 5 million policies-in-force mark in 2002. Today, GEICO boasts more than 16 million policyholders and is still expanding. It is a large and successful business, despite the Gecko’s ability to make it seem neighborly. In fact, it is one of the largest property and casualty insurers in the U.S., surpassed only by State Farm.
GEICO’s longevity and success have not come from making poor business decisions. When it comes to paying out on policies, GEICO makes decisions that are good for its own profit. After being in an accident and needing to work with GEICO, it is best to hire a Miami GEICO accident lawyer who will protect you from being taken advantage of during a stressful time.
GEICO Insurance CoverageGEICO offers a broad-range of auto insurance policies, including:
- Bodily injury liability: This covers your liability if you cause an auto accident that injures, hurts, or kills someone.
- Property damage liability: This covers your responsibility for causing property damage.
- Personal injury protection: Instead of a bodily injury liability policy that covers injuries for people typically in other vehicles, personal injury protection, or no fault protection, covers a percentage of the medical expenses and wage loss for the person driving or riding in your vehicle.
- Collision coverage: If your vehicle collides with or is hit by another vehicle or object, collision coverage will pay to repair your vehicle.
- Comprehensive coverage: This type of policy covers damage to your vehicle caused by incidents other than car accidents, such as if the vehicle is defaced, stolen, damaged by fire or flood, or damaged by animals.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: If you are hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured driver or an underinsured driver, or if you are injured in a hit-and-run, then uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may cover your medical expenses and bodily injury claim. You can also obtain uninsured motorist coverage for property damage.
GEICO also offers more than auto insurance, such as policies for motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, homeowners, renters, business owners, flood, travel, pets, jewelry, and much more. The type of coverage the at-fault party has, or you have, dictates the compensation you are entitled to. If you are unsure of a policy’s benefits or limits, you do not have to take GEICO’s word for it. One of our Miami GEICO accident attorneys can investigate the situation and ensure you receive everything you deserve under the policy and law.
The Auto Insurance Claim ProcessFollowing an accident, you need to notify the insurers as soon as possible. Based on the legal concept of notice, if you do not let the business know of the incident and potential claim, they may deny any claim you file weeks or months down the road. Nowadays, with online and mobile-based claim forms, it is relatively easy to provide notice.
Along with or after you provide notice, you must submit your formal claim. You can make a claim with GEICO by calling an 800 phone number, using the GEICO mobile app, or through GEICO’s website. When you file a claim, accurately provide all necessary information, however, do not in any way suggest you may be at fault or take responsibility for something. It is the insurer’s duty to assign your claim to an adjuster who will then investigate the situation.
GEICO Accident Attorneys in MiamiAs you move into the investigatory phase, you need to be prepared to protect yourself by hiring a GEICO accident attorney in Miami. This is where a lot can go wrong. For instance, if you make a written or oral statement to the adjuster without preparing with a lawyer, you may give GEICO a foothold to deny your claim. Also, you may quickly hear the words “final offer” and believe them. Without experience in dealing with auto insurance companies after a car crash, you may not realize that now is the time to negotiate, not settle for a first low offer.
To learn how an experienced GEICO accident lawyer can help with the car accident claim process, including negotiating for a higher settlement, contact car accident attorney at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. toll free at (877) 475-2905 or at (305) 371-6000.