If you are wondering about what the responsibilities are for Florida insurance companies, know that there is an area of law specifically designed for these determinations. Property and casualty law in Florida refers to the legal principles and regulations that govern the insurance industry in the state. Property and casualty insurance covers a wide range of risks, including damage to property (such as homes and buildings) and liability for injuries or damages caused by an individual or a business.

When questions about property and casualty laws arise, connect with a Tampa insurance attorney. Skilled lawyers with a background in this area of law will know about all of the details that could apply to your situation, such as the time limit for policyholders to file a claim and how long an insurance company has to respond to that filing. Additionally, there are rules about how disputes should be resolved, should they arise.

Overview of Insurance Guidelines

In Florida, insurance companies have several rights and responsibilities when it comes to property and casualty laws.

Rights of insurance companies:

• Charge premiums for insurance coverage.
• An ability to deny coverage or cancel a policy if the policyholder fails to pay premiums or violates the terms of the policy that they purchased.
• The right to investigate claims and determine whether they are covered under the policy.

Responsibilities of insurance companies:

• An insurance company needs to provide coverage as outlined in the policy.
• It is a requirement that valid claims are paid in a timely manner.
• The responsibility to act in good faith when handling claims and policyholder interactions.
• Comply with all state laws and regulations regarding insurance.

It is important to note that there may be variations on the basic rights and responsibilities depending on the specific type of insurance and policy.

Assessing and Analyzing Policy Details

While it is always recommended that you review a policy before purchasing it and contact your insurance company with any questions or concerns, there are situations when a person only explores the insurance coverage they have when they need to use it.

For example, you may be working to access damages from a variety of insurance types, such as homeowners insurance, commercial property insurance, automobile insurance and general liability insurance. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the claims process or find yourself believing you should be receiving a settlement that is far higher than what you have been offered, speak to a Tampa insurance attorney.

Lawyers who specialize in Florida property and casualty law understand the rights and responsibilities of both policyholders and insurance companies. As a result they can guide the businesses themselves or their customers, as needed.

Do you have insurance questions? Talk to the legal professionals at HD Law Partners to have your inquiries answered by a professional. Insurance companies have their own attorneys, so if you are having trouble asserting your rights as a policyholder, you need a lawyer who works for you. Then, you will have an expert with decades of insurance claim knowledge on your side. Call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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The Tampa Bay area is a popular destination for motorcycle riders. For example, many Tampa motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy riding the Tail of the Gecko, a ride that goes from State Road 62 to County Road 672, or cycling around North Tampa. While there is a lot of enjoyment to be had, the increase in popularity among Florida residents and visitors has also led to more accidents and injuries.

While a range of injuries are possible, the most common motorcycle injuries in the Tampa Bay area are head injuries, which can lead to life-threatening outcomes. Many also sustain injuries to their legs, arms, or torsos. Motorcycles do not have the safety features that cars do, and injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially, for families. Connect with a Tampa personal injury attorney to access the financial support you need for medical treatments and care.

Severity of Injury and Lost Wages

Medical bills and fees after a Tampa Bay area motorcycle accident victims can be substantial, especially if they require hospitalization or surgery. Having documentation of all the care you or your loved one has received is an important factor in connecting with a full and fair settlement. Additionally, if there will be future medical expenses or physical therapy costs, those can be calculated in order to be sure a recovery amount will cover all of your injury expenses, both current and upcoming costs.

Also, there are times when a victim is unable to return to work due to their injuries or needs to take significant time off of work in order to fully heal from an accident injury. Just as there can be current and future medical expenses, lost wages could include past and future earnings. For instance, if a motorcycle accident victim is unable to return to their previous job or if their earning potential is impacted by their injury, they may be entitled to a settlement amount that covers the wages they have already missed out on and future earnings.

Settlement Amounts Vary Widely

As you move toward a personal injury claim filing following a motorcycle accident, it’s important to keep in mind that settlement amounts can vary widely. The amount that is accessible depends on the specific details of your case.

An experienced Tampa personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best course of action for seeking compensation. Having a legal professional on your side is a path to receiving a full and fair combination amount for your losses. This is essential as motorcycle accidents in the Tampa Bay area can result in significant injuries and financial consequences.

Is an accident claim needed in order for you to pay your motorcycle accident injury expenses? Share the facts of your case with the legal professionals at HD Law Partners. Our lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience and have secured successful outcomes for a range of clients, including those injured in motorcycle accidents. When you need someone to fight for your right to damage recovery, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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There are a lot of different types of jobs, and each industry has its own terms that are familiar to those who work in the industry daily but may not be familiar to others. For instance, if you work at an insurance company or in a law firm you know what a demand letter is, but if you were recently injured in a Florida accident and have never filed a personal injury claim before, this term may be new to you.

Essentially, a personal injury demand letter is a written document that lays out the details and evidence of a personal injury. It also requests compensation from the responsible party or their insurance company. A qualified Tampa personal injury attorney can draft a demand letter for you.

What Is Included In a Demand Letter?

Each case is unique, and there may be specific things included in one demand letter that are not included in another, but generally a demand letter will include the following:

• A description of what happened. This part of the letter, the first section, will outline who was involved, where the accident happened, and when it occurred.
• Next, the letter will point to facts of the case, including witness accounts and police reports, to illustrate who is liable for damages.
• Connecting injuries to the event is required, so facts need to be shared about the injury, such as you seeing a medical professional soon after the accident and medical reports saying the injury is a result of the accident.
• If applicable, pain and suffering will also be discussed in a demand letter.
• Finally, an amount will need to be within the letter, one that you can clearly prove with your list of medical expenses and other accident costs and fees.

The demand letter is usually the first step in negotiating a settlement in a personal injury settlement. Your attorney will ask for an amount within the demand letter, but it’s important to keep in mind that the insurance companies may not accept a first offer. Instead, a process of negotiation, with settlement amounts being exchanged back and forth, could happen until a final compensation amount can be reached.

Can I Write a Demand Letter On My Own?

While you can write your own demand letter, making the decision to work with a Tampa personal injury attorney can shield you from accepting an amount that is too low. Your attorney will give your case a full review and will take care to provide all the information required to strengthen your claim.

Could a well-crafted demand letter help you to secure the financial award you need to move forward after a Florida accident injury? Bring your questions to the skilled legal professionals at HD Law Partners. Working with a lawyer who has a background in personal injury law can introduce you to all of your options so you can achieve a maximum recovery amount. With combined experience of over 40 years, the professionals at HD Law Partners will guide you through the personal injury process, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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There are many details to manage when you are running a business. Even starting a business at all is a leap of faith as one study reports approximately half of new businesses fail, specifically closing within five years of opening their doors. Just as there is a lot that goes into running a thriving business, there are oodles of reasons why businesses fail, from poor leadership to high competition.

But there are things you can do to straighten your chances of staying open, including making good management choices. Part of this is understanding premise liability and having enough insurance to protect you if an accident occurs in your place of business. To learn more about steps you can take to shield your business and all of the hard work, time, and financial support you have put into your organization, talk to a Florida private security liability attorney.

Injury Risks and Premise Liability

When people frequent your business, business owners need to be sure they have done what they can to reduce injury risks. Because if someone is hurt, and management or owner negligence can be proven, the business will be liable for damages.

Basic things that could help protect you and your business from legal action:

• Perform regular inspections. Maintaining a business property is part of the process, including monitoring for any conditions that are unsafe, such as chipped pavement, torn rugs, or wet floors that could lead to a trip, slip, or fall.
• Fix problems. Then, if your or someone on your team does notice an issue, correct the danger. If the issue can’t be repaired immediately, set up warnings for business visitors, such as signs alerting the public to the risk and blocking the area off from use.

Slip and fall events are the most common type of premise liability claim brought against businesses. If a claim is brought forward, premise liability insurance can alleviate some of the financial strain that comes with a slip and fall accident claim. Understanding your coverage is essential, because there are limitations. For example, a policy may pay for the expenses of the injured party but may not reimburse the business for their expenses in connection with the claim.

Connect with a Legal Professional

As a Florida business owner, you do have a responsibility to provide a safe environment to guests and visitors. But if you do not have time to learn all of the laws connected to premise liability, simply connect with a Florida private security liability attorney. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process of protecting yourself and your livelihood.

Are you a Florida business owner who could use legal guidance? To understand all of the legal matters that need attention and be sure you are carrying the right amount of insurance, talk to the legal team at HD Law Partners. Our lawyers have guided business owners through legal issues and have represented individuals who were hurt while frequenting a business, so we thoroughly understand premise liability law and know what you need to do to shield yourself from future disputes. Call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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There are times when a Florida business comes to an end. Even with the best planning and securing of investors, there are situations when the business is not thriving as much as the business partners had hoped or one partner has simply decided they have to move away from the relationship for their own reasons.

Hardships and partner differences that are irreconcilable put a lot of stress and strain on the business itself and the partners involved. When it is time for you to end a business partnership and close the doors of your business, talk to a Tampa business & corporate law attorney. Business assets need to be analyzed along with any outstanding debts. Protect yourself and your future, hire a lawyer to look after your interests.

Handing Issues with Precision and Care

It is normal to have a lot of questions when facing a business dissolution. Your concerns could include one of more of the following.

• How will we settle all of our outstanding debts?
• Is there a proper way to notify suppliers, landlords, and insurers?
• When do we tell employees and should we offer a severance?
• How do we cancel permits and licenses?
• Do I need to notify the state of Florida?

With so many issues in need of attention, a qualified attorney can advise you on how to begin to dissolve the business and outline what will need to be done at each step of the process.

Having a plan in place and legal support means you will know exactly what to do when creditors ask for payments and your business partner demands a large portion of the assets gathered. Your lawyer will prepare and file any necessary paperwork, including dissolution forms, and craft an agreement for your partner’s attorney to review that is a full and fair division of assets. If your partner’s lawyer disputes areas of the initial agreement drafted, a period of negotiation may be required.

Contentious Battles May Need Additional Supports

When a partnership separation is contentious, there are different paths to resolution. Experienced Tampa business & corporate law attorneys can inform you of your available options, such as arbitration or mediation. When necessary, litigation can be pursued.

You have likely put in a lot of time, energy, and money into your Florida business. It is natural to feel upset and unsure when it is time to dissolve. But there are ways to move forward with confidence, and one of them is working with a lawyer you can trust to look out for you and your future each step of the way.

Is it time for you to exit a Florida business partnership? There are many legal items to attend to when a Tampa business closes, be sure you are taking care of matters today so there won’t be future legal disputes. When business partnerships end, it can be upsetting and emotional, but the  compassionate and aggressive legal team at HD Law Partners can help. To get started, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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While some divorces lead to drawn-out court battles, there are also situations in which the marriage is dissolved amicably. One option for a fast divorce in Florida is the simplified dissolution of the marriage process. As long as both people are in agreement on the divorce terms, the divorce can be completed within 30 days of the filing date.

In order to pursue a simplified dissolution of marriage the union must not involve dependent children, a pregnant wife, or alimony. Additionally, there is a residency requirement and both people have to agree to the divorce terms and sign off on the marriage being irretrievably broken. At least one of the people needs to have lived in the state of Florida for a minimum of six months. If you want to talk through this option or explore other avenues as you do not meet all of the requirements, talk to a Tampa family law attorney.

Parent Plans and Financial Disputes

If you are co parenting with your soon-to-be-ex spouse and have disagreements about how assets will be distributed and who will be responsible for long-range expenses, it will not be possible to have a simple, uncontested divorce. That said, you may not have to participate in an explosive and expensive court fight either. There are other solutions.

Bring all of your documents to a meeting with an attorney and share with them the details of your situation, including where you are in the process, what you are hoping to achieve, and what you believe your spouse is seeking. There could be a path for your attorney to negotiate through divorce terms with your spouse’s lawyer. Particularly if the two of you are seeking different things. Maybe one of you wants the marital home and the other is interested in securing a retirement savings account, for example.

Solving Disputes Through Mediation

Of course, there are times when particular areas of dispute create roadblocks, when it feels like there is no way for you and your spouse to land on an outcome you both can agree on. Then, a session or two with a mediator could be worthwhile to pursue.

A divorce mediator is a legal professional who works as a neutral third party. They are at the meeting to help each party gain perspective on the situation. The meeting has a set timeframe, which can help with conflict resolution as well. Your Tampa family law attorney can attend the meeting or meeting with you, to be sure your interests are fully represented.

Is an uncontested divorce a possibility for you? Every state has its own family law rules that must be followed when a marriage ends. To learn more about Florida family law and how to secure your post-divorce objectives, connect with the compassionate lawyers at HD Law Partners. After our skilled attorneys listen to the details of your situation, they can share the ups and downs of uncontested agreements. If you need more support to land on a final agreement, mediation or litigation could be options for you. To begin the process, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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Merging and changing lanes is part of driving and typically can’t be avoided, but sudden and illegal lane movements are risky and have led to accidents around the state of Florida. This can happen if another driver moves into your lane abruptly, without a signal, giving you no time to react. Or if you are in a situation where the number of lanes is reducing and a driver recklessly merges, putting others at risk of property damage and personal injury.

It is important for all drivers to safely assess their surroundings before merging or changing lanes because the risk of collision is high. One report by the National Highway Traffic Administration states around 10% of vehicular accidents are connected to lane changes.  After a collision due to an illegal lane change or improper merge into traffic, discuss monetary settlement options with a Tampa personal injury attorney.

Bad Weather, Blind Spots, and Distractions

Factors leading to car accidents vary. For instance, if one driver isn’t paying attention and another driver notices they are about to make a reckless move but are unable to get out of harm’s way due to weather conditions, there is more than one accident risk in play.

When it comes to lane change and merge collisions, they are often attributed to one or more of the following:

• Driver error, possibly due to distraction or fatigue
• Vision was impaired due to bad weather conditions
• Blind spots were not checked or mirrors were not positioned correctly

Because there are recognized risks, adjusting driver behavior is advised. This means taking additional care, such as driving at a safe speed when there is heavy rain and delaying a trip when you simply feel too tired to actively pay attention to your surroundings on Florida roadways.

Your Lawyer Can Investigate the Event

While it is true that a police report would likely contain information relevant to why an accident occurred, your Tampa personal injury attorney can dive deeper into the evidence if it would strengthen your claim. For example, they could talk to witnesses or ask area businesses for their security camera footage, which may have recorded important data at the time of the crash. When you retain an attorney, they are working to secure the best settlement offer. That means gathering documentation to push back on offers that are too low to pay off your accident expenses.

Were you injured when a FL driver performed an illegal lane change? There could be a path to securing a full and fair recovery settlement. To be sure your best interests are being kept top of mind, talk to a legal professional about how to protect your rights. Getting started is as simple as sharing your story with the compassionate legal team at HD Law Partners. Then, our attorneys will aggressively fight for your rights. When another was reckless, you should not have to pay extensive bills created by their negligence. Thankfully, legal support is just a phone call away. When you are ready to get started, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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There are many serious car collision injuries that are not visible, including harm to the chest and upper body. If you are experiencing pain in your chest after a Florida car accident, you should not ignore this signal from your body. Even if the pain is not consistent and only appears off and on, it could be an indicator of a health issue.

While chest pain could be bruising from impact force that will heal with home care, it could also be an indicator of a life-threatening issue. Do not assume the pain is no big deal. Instead, see a healthcare provider and have your pain assessed. Putting off medical care because you are worried about the expense is not advised. If you do end up collecting many medical bills due to an upper body injury, an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney can work to be sure you receive the monetary recovery you need.

Blunt Trauma, Fractures, and Treatment Plans

Blunt force trauma is a body injury caused by an attack, impact or injury with a surface. While there is no penetrating injury, meaning the object does not create an open wound, there is often bruising. In car collision situations, blunt trauma is possible when a body is slammed against a dashboard or wheel of a vehicle, for example.

While bruises are typically minor injuries, having them assessed is still important as you will want to have a doctor determine if there is damage under the surface of the skin that is not visible to the naked eye. If the doctor does discover indicators of a larger issue, one of the following health issues may be present.

• Harm to your sternum
• Trachea injuries
• Bone breaks
• Damage to internal organs

Once a health concern is diagnosed, a treatment plan can be developed in order for you to heal properly and as quickly as possible.

Prompt Care and Insurance Claims

Additionally, seeking care in a timely way will strengthen your personal injury claim, if you end up needing to file one to financially recover from a car collision. One of the common reasons for insurance adjusters to deny a claim outright or reduce the amount of a settlement package is because a doctor was not seen right away. The insurance adjuster could work to connect the injury to another life event, saying the car accident is not the reason for the chest injury. Talk to a  Tampa personal injury attorney about your vehicular collision compensation options.

Has a chest injury you sustained in a Florida car accident led to medical treatment and income loss? If you need monetary recovery to cope with all of the expenses connected to your accident injury, connect with a legal professional who will calculate the value of your claim. Share your chest injury documentation with the compassionate legal team at HD Law Partners. Even if you don’t have all of the documentation you need now, your attorney can work to secure that data for you. To get started, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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Separating and divorcing is challenging. It is normal to experience a range of emotions, and on top of managing your personal life there are many details to address. Setting up an organization system and keeping lists can be incredibly helpful. Many even find maintaining a daily diary of facts beneficial, because then a range of information pertaining to your divorce is in one spot. This diary is not for personal thoughts, but a stand-alone log of factual information, including some or all of the following:

• Date when you and your spouse separated
• When and where counseling sessions took place
• Date of dissolving joint accounts
• Phone logs of conversations with your lawyer
• When you and your spouse cared for your children
• What bills your spouse was responsible for but didn’t pay
• Debts incurred by your spouse

While not all these dates and details will be needed, over-documenting is far superior to having no records. After all, something that seems insignificant now could improve your case later, so keeping track of dates and conversations could give you an advantage during the negotiation process later. When you share information about your situation with a Tampa family law attorney, they can share paths forward with you.

Financial Planning and Your Spending Budget

Additionally, you will need to compile an array of financial documents, including bank statements, investment account balances, mortgage statements, and income verification records. Part of reviewing this document could be a realization that your financial resources and lifestyle will be impacted by the end of the marriage. If this is true for you, looking over your household monetary needs post-divorce means your lawyer can fight for a settlement that does not jeopardize your financial future.

Maintaining a household budget, while married, during a separation, and a plan for life expenses after the divorce is finalized could provide valuable information for the distribution of assets and debts.

In many situations, with care and preparation, avoiding court is possible. Reaching an agreement outside of a Florida court is often advantageous as it can be less expensive and gives you and your spouse more control over the particulars of your divorce terms, custody agreement, and parenting plans.

But when you have detailed records, a Tampa family law attorney will also be able to see when going through the litigation process is required in order for you to meet your goals, whether that is primary custody of your children, spousal maintenance payments, retaining certain properties, or a mix of different priorities.

Could you use some guidance on how to prepare for separation and divorce? During such an emotional life change, many find having a planned path forward helpful. To learn about what documents you will need to compile and what steps you can take to strengthen the likelihood of you achieving your post-divorce goals, connect with a Florida legal team. The compassionate lawyers at HD Law Partners have the background and experience you need. Connect as soon as possible, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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Many people loan their vehicles to others. For instance, maybe you have loaned your truck to a family member in order for them to borrow a big purchase home. Or if your friend’s car was in the shop, you may have let them use yours to do a grocery run. But accidents can happen at any time, and when you let someone borrow your car and there is an accident, what happens next will depend on a variety of factors.

Because Florida follows no-fault rules, vehicle operators file claims with their own insurance companies, regardless of negligence. But if a car involved in an accident was borrowed, the type of insurance policies carried by everyone involved could make a difference. If you have worries about next steps after a friend or family member crashed your vehicle, discuss your situation with Tampa personal injury attorney.

Determining If Vehicle Use Was Permissive or Not

One main factor will be whether you allowed the use of your car or truck. If you give someone permission to use the vehicle, it is called permissive use. But if they used it without you knowing ahead of time, the use is non-permissive.

Many car insurance policies cover damages when an accident takes place during permissive use. In these situations, your policy coverage would cover you and anyone else driving your vehicle. But if there is non-permissive use, things can become more complicated. In these situations, you may be held responsible for damages to your own car but not for third-party expenses.

Before you assume that all permissive use is covered, realize there are typically a couple of exceptions included within insurance policies.

• Business use. It is important to have the right type of policy for your lifestyle. When there is permissive use for business travel, coverage may not extend to this use unless there is business use coverage in your policy.
• Unlicensed drivers. Every driver in Florida needs to have a valid license. If an unlicensed driver is involved in a collision, your insurance coverage request will likely be denied.

Having worries and questions following an accident is common, and it is natural to be unsure of who will cover your crash expenses if your vehicle was being driven by someone other than yourself at the time of the collision.

You Do Not Have to Accept an Insurance Adjuster’s Initial Low Offer

Bring your accident concern to the attention of a Tampa personal injury attorney. Because accident lawyers work on claims and cases every day, they are familiar with a range of settlement options. Once they investigate a crash and collect solid documentation, they can push back on claim denials and lowball offers.

Do you need legal guidance after your friend crashed your car? Connect with a compassionate and skilled legal team to understand what financial recovery options are possible. Share the accident evidence you have and your insurance policy with the attorneys at HD Law Partners. To get started, call 813-964-7878 to schedule a free consultation.

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