Most people are on the road so much that it is easy to ignore the possible risk of being in a car accident. Thousands of people travel the road every day to go to school, get to work, and participate in leisure activities. But, if in your daily travels, you are involved in a car accident it can change your life in an instant. Whether you are involved in a minor fender-bender or a major collision, car accidents should be taken seriously. Depending on the severity of the accident, victims can sustain life-threatening injuries.
If you have been injured in a car accident, your insurance may not be sufficient to cover all the damages you suffer. If the car accident was caused by the negligence of another person, they can be held financially responsible for the damages you suffer including property damage and injuries. To find out more information about how a Florida car accident attorney can help you, contact Kagan Law at (954) 300-1068.
- At Kagan Law, we help Florida car accident victims get the most possible compensation they are entitled to under the law
- We provide personalized attention and compassionate legal service
- Our Florida car accident attorneys have recovered six- and seven-figure settlements for some of our clients who have been injured in car accidents
At Kagan Law, you will get the full experience and attention of our team. Your attorney will work directly with you to develop the best possible strategy for your case. Do not let the insurance companies trick you into accepting less compensation than you deserve. If you have been injured in a car accident, you need a Florida car accident attorney who will fight for you. Contact Kagan Law today at (954) 300-1068.
What You Should Do After a Car Accident
The actions you take in the aftermath of a car accident can determine the outcome of your claim for compensation. There are certain post-accident actions that are mandated by law, and others that are not mandated but can affect your ability to recover damages for your injuries.
If you are in a car accident:
- Do not leave the scene
- If you are able to, move your car off the road to avoid moving traffic
- Contact the police immediately and be truthful in your account to the police
- Get the names, contact details, license plate numbers, and insurance details of the other driver(s) involved in the accident
- Approach any witnesses and ask for their contact information
- Take photographs or video footage of the scene of the accident
- Seek medical attention even if you have no visible physical injury
- Do not admit fault to anyone
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible
- Remember that the insurance company does not work for you, so be mindful of what you say to any insurance company adjuster you speak with
Insurance claims can be tricky. Insurance companies often try to maximize their profits by offering the least amount of compensation possible. Even if you think you have a straightforward claim or the insurance company guarantees you a settlement, you will most likely get a better outcome if you have an experienced car accident attorney advocating for you.
Florida Car Insurance Requirements
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that after a car accident, your insurance company pays for the financial losses you suffer because of the accident, regardless of who was at fault. While no-fault car insurance has its advantages, it also has its limits. One of the advantages of no-fault car insurance is that you do not have to wait through the long process of an investigation to determine who was at fault for you to get financial compensation. The disadvantage is that no-fault policies have limits on the amount of losses and the types of losses that are covered. For example, your no-fault policy will not give you compensation for pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages resulting from the accident.
All drivers in Florida must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage for the vehicle. You are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage, and a minimum of $10,000 in PDL coverage. PIP covers 80% of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses for a covered injury, up to the $10,000 limit, no matter who was at fault for the car accident.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
Florida Highway Safety Report statistics show an average of 3,000 fatalities and 20,000 serious injuries from car crashes in the period between 2014 to 2020. If you have lost a loved one or suffered a serious injury because of a car accident, a car accident lawyer will give you the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve. There are several critical ways that your car accident lawyer can help you.
- Determining the legal basis of your claim. If you are injured in a car crash, you will need to determine the legal cause of the crash, and thus your injuries. On the surface, an accident may seem to have been caused by a car running a red light, however, they may have run the light because of a defective car part that caused their brakes to stop working. In this case, the legal cause of your injury would be the defective car part. This would mean that the manufacturer of the defective part is legally responsible for your injuries. An experienced car accident lawyer will have the resources to investigate your accident and determine which parties are legally responsible and what legal basis you can use to make a claim.
- Gather evidence to prove your claim. To succeed in your car accident injury claim, you need evidence to prove all the elements of the legal basis of your claim. Whether you are making a claim based on negligence, or product liability, your car accident lawyer understands the law and knows how to get compelling evidence to prove your claim.
- Filing your claim. The court system in every state has a set of procedures that a person must follow to file and prosecute a claim. Failure to follow the appropriate procedure may jeopardize your claim. A car accident attorney will help you through the often complex process of filing a claim and prosecuting your case.
- Negotiating a fair settlement. Not every car accident claim will make it to court. Most cases are resolved through a settlement. Without an experienced car accident attorney by your side, the insurance company may get you to accept a lowball offer because you are unaware of the true value of your case and what you are legally entitled to.
- Taking your case to trial. If your lawyer is not able to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, you may choose to take the case to trial. You will need an experienced car accident attorney to move your case through the court system and defend your claim.
Contact our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured in a Florida car accident, call Kagan Law as soon as you can. Get started on your case today. Call (954) 300-1068 to schedule your free consultation.