Susan Melony
Planning a trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth usually doesn’t include thinking about how to file a car accident claim. You’re thinking about the rides and attractions and maybe catching the evening fireworks display. However, have you noticed the size of Disney’s parking lots?
They’re ginormous and the perfect place for a car accident to occur. This means you’re navigating a car accident claim at Disney World. If this isn’t your first car accident claim, the steps should be familiar. However, since your vehicle accident happened at Mickey’s front door, you’re going to need to take a few extra steps.
Key Steps After a Vehicle Collision at Disney World
Whether it’s a minor fender bender or something a little more serious, you always want to do one thing. If you’re thinking about filing a car accident claim at Disney World, you must report the collision. Don’t simply exchange insurance information with the other driver, unless you’re only dealing with your insurance provider. If you’re only filing a claim with your insurer, you may be able to get away with an accident report.
With that being said, reporting the accident to the police starts a paper trail documenting the collision. Your accident report should also cover fault, which is crucial if your claim is against the other driver.
File a Report with Disney World
Okay, no one really wants to bother Mickey, Donald, or any other Disney character with details about their car accident. While you can leave your favorite Disney personalities out of the conversation, you should report the incident to the park’s administration.
Since this is a car accident claim, you’re probably not naming the theme park as a defendant in your injury claim. Letting the park know about your accident is another way of protecting your insurance claim. Filing an accident report with the police and Disney makes it harder for the insurance company to dispute your claim.
Your Health Takes Priority
Most Disney World car accidents are relatively minor. Speeding recklessly through a packed parking lot is tough. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t sustain serious injuries. Sometimes a fender bender can cause significant damage.
Check yourself out for any injuries. If you need a ride to the hospital let the park and emergency operator know. If you’re up and moving around, you should still plan on seeing a healthcare provider. You may have internal injuries or soft tissue damage. You don’t want to ignore these conditions.
Seeking immediate medical attention is also a necessary step if you’re claiming injuries. You’re going to need to provide copies of your medical records.
Document the Accident Scene
Okay, don’t get in the authorities’ way. This includes any of the theme park’s employees. Everyone has a job to do, and you don’t want to make it harder. Without causing a disruption, take some pictures of your vehicle damage. If you have any visible cuts and scrapes, go ahead and take a few shots.
If there’s accident debris lying around, get some photos. Don’t worry about looking for security cameras, you’re at Disney and there are probably several filming your every move. Your Florida personal injury attorney can subpoena the footage as evidence in your accident claim.
Send a Demand Letter and Submit Your Evidence
All of your evidence is ready to go. You have things like your accident report, medical records, and property damage estimates, and you’ve even calculated your non-economic damages.
When your evidence is ready for the insurance adjuster to review, it’s time to send a demand letter. This letter does more than let the insurance company know you’re seeking compensation.
The letter details your Disney World car accident and identifies fault. You also list your damages and your claim’s total value. Typically, the insurance company has 30 days to review your accident claim. The insurer can also file for an extension if the claim is especially complex.
Once the claim review is over, you’ll find out if it’s approved, denied, or you’re heading to negotiations. If your accident claim is denied, you’re not completely out of options. Your Florida personal injury attorney can file an appeal.
Florida’s Insurance Laws Apply to Residents and Visitors
Florida isn’t the only no-fault insurance state, but it’s not a common law. No-fault insurance simply means everyone turns to their auto insurance policy. Yep, even if it’s clear you’re not at fault, you’re still calling your insurance provider.
What’s covered depends on your policy. Out-of-state visitors may not carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This type of injury coverage isn’t required in every state.
After your insurance pays out, you can file an accident claim for your remaining damages with the at-fault driver’s provider. So, essentially you’re filing two claims for the same accident. Something to always keep in mind. You can’t claim the same damages twice.
Yep, it can be a little confusing trying to figure out what’s left after your insurer pays out. This is also when it’s usually a good idea to partner with an experienced Florida car accident attorney.
The Sunshine State has another insurance rule that can impact your injury claim against the at-fault driver. This rule is a little more common than no-fault insurance. Florida is a comparative negligence state. This means multiple drivers can share blame for causing the same accident. If your actions right before the accident are negligent, you can be assessed some of the blame. You can file an accident claim if you’re assigned fault, as long as it’s not higher than 50%.
If you’re assigned fault, your potential settlement amount will be reduced by your percentage of accident blame.
Let Your Accident Attorney Put Some Magic in Your Injury Claim
While your Florida personal injury attorney can’t magically ensure your Disney World car accident claim is approved, they can help. From navigating Florida’s occasionally complex insurance laws to negotiating with the insurance company, your accident attorney can help ensure you receive fair compensation.
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