If you’re wondering what to do after a car crash in Florida, it’s important to first ensure safety and seek medical attention. Then, call the police, document the scene, and avoid speaking to the other party’s insurance company. Contact a car accident legal consultation provider promptly. Whether you’re a car accident victim in Fort Myers, a motorcyclist in Miami, or a pedestrian in Orlando, a car accident lawyer can protect your rights from the start.
Car Accident Lawyers
Auto Accident Attorneys
Your Right To PursueCompensation For Your Florida Car Accident Injuries
When you suffer injury in a Florida car accident as a result of another person’s carelessness or negligence, the law in Florida allows you the right to seek monetary damages. If you are injured, our AV-Rated Florida Personal Injury Law Firm can help you can recover money for the following:
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Lost wages due to your inability to work
- Medical bills and associated costs
- Pain and suffering
What to DoAfter a Car Accident
Knowing what to do after a car accident is not always easy. It’s important to be wary of talking to insurance companies after your accident. Often, you will have to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company to obtain compensation. However, insurance companies are not in business to pay out claims. Without legal representation who knows the law, many insurance companies will simply offer injured parties quick settlements to get you to sign away your right to pursue future compensation.
Never agree to any settlement without speaking with experienced Florida car accident lawyers first, who can determine what you should be entitled to.
Reasons to HireFlorida Car Accident Injury Lawyers
Car accident injury lawyers can help injured victims in several ways. First, a knowledgeable attorney can help you understand the claims process, so you know what to expect. Your attorney will also research the facts and circumstances behind the accident, collect evidence, and document their findings to determine the potential value of your claim. When you retain an attorney, he or she will handle all communications on your behalf and will advocate for a full and fair settlement, refusing to accept offers that are clearly inadequate.
Ultimately, you should talk to car crash attorneys as soon as possible after the accident as you feel able to do so. Engaging a lawyer quickly can help preserve evidence and ensure your claim is filed with all applicable time limits in mind.
Fighting ForMaximum Compensation
As experienced automobile accident lawyers, Scott takes pride in getting to know each client to understand their concerns and needs today and in the future. In some cases, a settlement offer is fair and acceptable. In other cases, going to trial is the best way to obtain maximum compensation for you.
Scott is no stranger to the courtroom and is not afraid to take your case to trial if it means getting you maximum benefits.
When you work with Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys, you will be working directly with your lawyer — not with a non-lawyer “case manager.” We believe in taking a hands-on approach to helping our clients. This means we will listen to you, answer your questions, and help make an otherwise confusing process as straightforward as possible.
We will conduct investigations to get as much information as possible, gather evidence, determine the potential value of your claim, identify all responsible parties, file your claim, negotiate on your behalf, and fight to help you obtain the compensation you are owed. Throughout the process, we will handle communications with the responsible party and his or her insurer on your behalf and keep you informed, every step of the way.
HandlingAll Types of Injuries
The firm helps individuals recover for auto accident injuries, including the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Neck and back soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
CommonCauses of Driving Accidents
Car accidents happen every day on Florida roadways and for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes the car wreck attorneys at Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys see include:
- Distracted driving, including texting or otherwise using mobile devices, eating while driving, changing music, applying makeup, etc.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other legal or illegal substances
- Speeding, including failure to slow or stop for obstructions or traffic slowdowns
- Reckless driving, including things like tailgating and changing lanes without notice
- Ignoring or disobeying traffic laws and posted signs
- Failure to adjust or use added caution for changed road conditions
Our car collision attorneys handle nearly all types of motor vehicle accidents. These include cases involving:
- Cars of all sizes, from economy cars to luxury SUVs
- Trucks (pickup trucks, delivery trucks, semi-trucks, etc.)
- Vans of all sizes, including moving vans
- Motorcycles
- Pedestrians injured by motor vehicles
- Bicyclists injured by motor vehicles
- Accidents involving rideshare drivers
- Bus accidents
- Train accidents
- Accidents involving drunk drivers, reckless drivers, uninsured or underinsured motorists, distracted drivers and drowsy drivers
Whether you were injured in an accident involving multiple cars, a car and a truck, a car, and a pedestrian, or some other combination of motor vehicles, chances are good that we have successfully helped other clients in similar circumstances in the past — and that we will be able to help you, too.
Losing Your Loved One
Unfortunately, too many car crashes are fatal. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, our team at Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys, can help you file a possible wrongful death lawsuit. We can help you recover compensation for your losses and on behalf of your loved one who passed away.
Let Us Use Our25+ Years of Experience to Advocate for You
Attorneys Scott Marshall has years of experience helping injured parties recover from motor vehicle crashes. At Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys, they represent those in Tampa, Clearwater, and throughout Central and South Florida, with offices in many convenient locations.
FAQ
Q.What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Q.How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida?
In Florida, people injured in motor vehicle accidents today typically have two years from the date of the accident in which to file lawsuits for compensation. Prior to March 24, 2023, the time limit was four years. So, if you were injured in a car accident prior to that date, the four-year limit should still apply. However, if you are filing a claim for after that date, or for wrongful death because a loved one was killed in a Florida motor vehicle accident, a two-year time limit applies.Â
Q.What damages can I claim after a car accident injury?
In Florida, car accident victims may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic losses include medical bills, lost income, and property damage. Non-economic damages may cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In severe cases, such as a pedestrian accident or a motorcycle accident involving gross negligence, punitive damages could apply. To support your car accident case, our whiplash injury car accident lawyers often rely on strong evidence like medical records, repair invoices, and witness accounts.
Q.Should I talk to the insurance company before speaking to a lawyer?
It’s not recommended. Before giving a statement to the insurance company, consult a personal injury lawyer. Insurance adjusters aim to minimize payouts and may offer a low settlement quickly. A car accident attorney will handle negotiations on your behalf and help you avoid compromising your auto accident claim.
Q.Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. A personal injury law firm, especially one with experience in truck accidents and driving accidents, can guide you through how fault impacts your compensation.
Q.What evidence should I collect after a car crash?
After a car crash, gather photos of the scene, the police report, and contact details of any witnesses. Keep detailed medical records and repair estimates. If available, preserve surveillance or dashcam footage. A car crash injury attorney in Florida can use this evidence to build your personal injury case and advocate for fair compensation.
Q.How is pain and suffering calculated in a car accident case?
Pain and suffering in car accident injury claims are typically assessed using the multiplier or per diem method. The severity of the injury, length of recovery, and its impact on your life are factored in. Florida car accident injury lawyers can use these tools to evaluate your total compensation accurately.
Q.How long does it take to settle a car accident claim?
Each case varies. Some car accident injury claims settle in a few months. Others, particularly those involving serious injuries like whiplash or when working with uninsured drivers, can take longer. Partnering with the best car accident injury attorneys in Florida can streamline the process and ensure you receive a fair outcome.
Q.How do car accident lawyers calculate the value of my injury claim?
A car accident lawyer will evaluate medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. If long-term treatment is needed, that’s also considered. Florida auto accident compensation also depends on the insurance coverage limits. Experienced accident lawyers can assess your claim’s full value, even comparing it with similar personal injury cases.
Q.Can I recover compensation if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Yes. If you were involved in a hit-and-run or struck by an uninsured driver, you may still be covered under your UM/UIM policy. A personal injury lawyer familiar with Florida car accident statute of limitations and local laws can help you file an insurance claim after a car accident and secure compensation.
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