Could you please give me some instances wherein I don’t have to file a claim with my car insurance company here in Florida regarding an accident? Also, it will be much appreciated if you give instances on when it is necessary to file a claim.

Adrien

Miami Beach, FL

In case there is already a point on your driving record because of a speeding violation, you may inquire with the California department of insurance to see their rules about nonrenewal. Be cautious to report the accident to your car insurance company in case filing a claim for an accident you cause, plus your previous ticket, will indicate a nonrenewal. However, if there is another vehicle concerned or you have other people in your car, you might want to file a claim for that. You will never foresee what may happen after the accident and if you don’t report it, your car insurance provider will have a drawback in defending you.

In some instances that do not have bodily injury, it is enticing to just privately resolve the issue with the other individual/s involved without reporting it to your insurer or the authorities. However, you have to be cautious if you were not the one who caused the accident and you have endured damages. On the other hand, if injuries were not instantly obvious after the accident and they show up the following day and you know that those injuries need medical attention, you have to inform your insurer about that accident.

If you don’t have the money to pay a lawyer, then in some instances, like if you are facing a felony or misdemeanor (occasionally) charge, you might be given the option of having a public defender represent your case.

While it may be true that public defenders, being just another arm of the government, don’t have an excellent reputation, it’s a toss up of whether or not that is well deserved. The real truth is that public defenders are often former private lawyers or even lawyers who have a private practice on the side, and so they often have equal or even more experience than your average expensive private lawyer.