After a car accident, the last thing you want is a confusing insurance process. If GEICO is your insurer, you may be familiar with their “Legend of the Lizard” campaign, celebrating the iconic gecko and the company’s focus on customer service. But when you’re injured or your car is wrecked, catchy campaigns don’t walk you through the next steps. Behind the commercials is a real claims process that can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries, repairs, and medical bills.

This blog walks you through what to do if you’re in a crash in Plantation, Florida and need to file a claim with GEICO. You’ll learn what Florida law expects from drivers, how GEICO handles claims, and when it makes sense to speak with a lawyer. Whether you’re filing a PIP claim or pursuing compensation from an at-fault driver, you’ll find practical next steps that can help you move forward.

What to Do at the Scene of the Accident

Before filing a claim or contacting your insurer, take a few minutes at the scene if it’s safe and collect important details. This documentation can protect your case down the road.

Start by checking on everyone involved and calling 911 if anyone is hurt. Then, if possible:

• Take photos of all vehicles, license plates, visible injuries, and road conditions
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver
• Ask for contact information from any witnesses
• Note the exact time, location, and direction of travel
• Avoid admitting fault or discussing injuries at the scene. These details will be evaluated later

Once you’ve gathered what you can, your next move should be getting checked by a doctor. Florida law puts a strict time limit on this step.

Florida’s 14-Day Rule: Why Prompt Medical Care Matters

Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, which means your own insurance policy through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers your initial medical expenses, regardless of who caused the crash. But there’s a catch.

Under Florida Statutes § 627.736(1)(a), you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP benefits. If you wait too long, GEICO (or any insurer) can deny your claim for medical coverage.

Here’s what counts as acceptable medical treatment under the law:

• Emergency room visit
• Urgent care clinic
• Primary care physician
• Licensed chiropractor

Prompt medical care also creates a record that connects your injuries to the accident. Without this, GEICO could argue that your injuries happened elsewhere or weren’t serious enough to treat.

Once you’ve seen a doctor, your next move is reporting the accident to law enforcement. That step is required before you can open an insurance claim.

Step 1: Report the Accident

Before filing a claim, make sure the accident has been officially reported. In Florida, you’re legally required to call law enforcement and file a report if:

• Anyone is injured or killed
• There’s $500 or more in property damage
• A vehicle needs to be towed

This requirement comes from Florida Statutes § 316.066(1)(a). If police respond to the scene, they’ll typically file the report for you. If they don’t, you can file a Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Form HSMV 90011S) through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Keep a copy of the report for your records, as GEICO will likely ask for it during the claims process. If the police don’t respond to the scene, it’s on you to submit the report within ten days.

Once your crash has been officially documented, you can begin the claims process with GEICO.

Step 2: File Your Claim With GEICO

Once the accident is reported, you can start your claim with GEICO. There are a few ways to do this:

• Online: www.geico.com/claims
• GEICO: Mobile App
• Phone: Call 1-800-841-3000, available 24/7

You’ll need the following information:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Description of what happened
• Names and contact info for drivers, passengers, and witnesses
• Police report number (if available)
• Photos of vehicle damage and the accident scene
• Medical documentation if you’ve been treated

You can track your claim progress and communicate with the adjuster through GEICO’s app or website. This helps you avoid long phone wait times or missed return calls.

After your claim is submitted, you’ll be contacted by an adjuster. Here’s how to handle that next step.

Step 3: Communicate Carefully With the Claims Adjuster

After you file your claim, a GEICO claims adjuster will likely reach out to ask questions, assess damages, and determine how much they’re willing to pay.

Keep in mind:

• You’re not required to give a recorded statement right away—and it may not be in your best interest to do so without speaking to a lawyer first.
• Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about fault or the extent of your injuries.
• Don’t downplay symptoms. Mild soreness today could signal a more serious injury that appears days later.

You can also request to handle follow-ups by email if you’re uncomfortable speaking by phone. Keep a written log of every contact, including the date, the adjuster’s name, and a summary of what was said. After this initial contact, GEICO will begin evaluating your property damage and repair needs.

Step 4: Assess Property Damage and Vehicle Repairs

GEICO may recommend one of their preferred auto body shops for a damage estimate. You’re free to choose your own repair shop, even if it’s not on GEICO’s list.

If you use your own collision coverage, be aware that your deductible will apply. If GEICO declares your car a total loss, you can push back if their valuation seems low by providing recent maintenance records, comparable vehicle listings, or an independent appraisal.

At this stage, you may start receiving settlement offers related to your injuries. That’s when many people consider speaking to a lawyer for a car accident.

Step 5: Know When to Speak with an Attorney

Not every accident requires a lawyer, but many do. GEICO may offer a quick settlement, especially if you’ve reported injuries. That offer might not cover:

• Ongoing treatment needs
• Lost wages
• Future medical care
• Pain and suffering

An attorney can review the offer, negotiate on your behalf, and pursue a personal injury claim if the other driver was at fault and your injuries go beyond what PIP covers.

What If the Other Driver Has GEICO?

If the at-fault driver is insured by GEICO and you’re filing a third-party claim, the process works a bit differently. You’ll still report the accident to your own insurer to access your PIP benefits, but you’ll also need to file a liability claim under the other driver’s GEICO policy. This can be done by calling GEICO directly, using their website, or through their mobile app—just as you would with a first-party claim, but using the at-fault driver’s policy number.

GEICO will then investigate the circumstances of the crash and determine who was at fault before deciding whether to pay your claim. As part of that review, they may ask you to submit medical records or provide a statement.

Even when fault seems clear, GEICO’s adjusters are focused on protecting their policyholder, not you. A third-party claim often takes longer to resolve and may involve more pushback, especially if liability is disputed. If you’re unsure which insurer should be handling your claim, or GEICO is stalling the process, a car accident attorney can step in and help move things forward.

Challenges You Might Face When Dealing With GEICO

Even when the paperwork is in, delays and disputes are common. Here’s what could get in the way of a fair resolution:

• They may dispute fault, especially if there’s no police report or witness
• You might be offered less than what it will cost to repair your car
• Medical claims might be undervalued or denied if documentation is incomplete
• Delays in communication can draw out the process and cause financial stress

These are not unusual, and they don’t necessarily mean your claim is invalid. But they are signs that you may need legal backup.

If you’re dealing with these types of obstacles, talk to an attorney who knows how to handle insurance company tactics.

GEICO Claim? Don’t Let the Gecko Decide What Your Case Is Worth

An accident doesn’t feel like a commercial. The moment your vehicle is damaged or your body is in pain, you’re dealing with real-life consequences, not scripted reassurance. If you’re filing a GEICO claim after a crash in Plantation or anywhere in South Florida, you may already feel the pressure to accept a quick payout and move on. But fast doesn’t always mean fair.

At Cohen and Juda, we represent people, not corporations. Attorneys Harvey Cohen and Gary Juda bring over 25 years of experience standing up to insurance companies that try to minimize claims. Whether you’re facing lost wages, ongoing medical care, or a long recovery, our firm takes your case seriously from the start.

Florida law limits how long you have to file a personal injury claim. Acting now gives you a stronger position if the insurer delays or disputes your case. You found us by searching online for  Plantation “injuries lawyer near me” or “attorney for car crash.” Now, let’s talk about what happened and what comes next.

Call Cohen and Juda at (954) 424-1440 for your FREE consultation or submit a confidential online form today.

There are no upfront fees or costs, and you won’t pay unless we recover for you. Let’s talk and explore your legal options.

Copyright © 2025. Cohen and Juda, P.A. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (post) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Cohen and Juda, P.A.
8211 W Broward Blvd, Suite 310
Plantation, FL 33324
(954) 424-1440
https://www.cohenandjudaflorida.com/