Florida’s sunny roads can be a blessing and a curse. While they offer scenic drives and convenient commutes, they also pose a constant risk of car accidents. Victims of auto accidents face a mountain of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional stress. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of Florida car accident attorney from Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia.
As a dedicated personal injury law firm, we are committed to seeking justice for victims of auto accidents. Our experienced Florida car accident lawyers will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Whether you need a trusted Boca Raton car accident lawyer or a dedicated car accident attorney in Coral Gables, we’re here to help. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, ensuring you do not need to pay upfront and only owe fees if your case is successful.
Call us at 800-320-4537 or contact us online to get started.
What You Need to Know About Car Accidents
Car crashes are a frighteningly common occurrence in Florida, and the severity of a traffic accident can vary widely. While most are minor fender-benders, even seemingly insignificant collisions can have serious consequences. These accidents can lead to injuries, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Many types of car accidents are caused by driver negligence, such as:
- Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving can divert your attention from the road.
- Speeding: Driving too fast increases the risk of losing control and the severity of a crash.
- DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol significantly impairs your judgment and reaction time.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive driving maneuvers like tailgating or running red lights put yourself and others at risk.
- Negligent or reckless driver: Drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care or engage in reckless behavior can cause severe accidents and injuries.
Proving negligence in these cases is important for establishing fault and securing compensation for the victims.
In legal terms, negligence refers to a failure to exercise the care that a reasonable person would in the same situation. In car accidents, negligence applies when a driver breaches their duty to drive safely, resulting in an accident and injuries to others.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some minor and some life-altering. Here are some of the most common auto accident injuries:
- Whiplash: This is a soft tissue injury to the neck, caused by the sudden back-and-forth movement of the head. The side effects of Whiplash can last for days, weeks, or even months.
- Broken bones: Fractures can occur anywhere in the body due to the impact of a crash.
- Lacerations (cuts): Broken glass, debris, or sharp objects can cause cuts and abrasions.
- Head injuries: Concussions and more serious head trauma can occur in car accidents. They can also cause mental health issues.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: These injuries can be debilitating and have long-term consequences.
- Emotional trauma: The psychological impact of a car accident can be profound, leading to emotional stress and long-term consequences. Hiring a lawyer can help manage emotional suffering and evaluate claims related to this trauma.
Even if you feel okay after an accident, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Prompt medical care is critical for both your recovery and eligibility for compensation. Adrenaline can mask symptoms, and some injuries may not become apparent until later. A medical evaluation creates a record of your injuries and is crucial for insurance claims and future legal action, especially in cases of serious injuries.
What to Do After a Florida Car Accident
The aftermath of a car accident is a important time for your recovery and your long-term financial outcomes, but it can be confusing and disorienting. Here’s a few steps you can follow to make sure you’re covered:
- Check for injuries: Call 911 if anyone is seriously hurt.
- Secure the scene: Hazard lights on, move vehicles if safe.
- Call the police: Report the accident, and get an official police report. This report is essential for filing insurance claims and potential lawsuits, as it provides necessary proof and support for your claims.
- Gather evidence (if possible): Pictures, witness info, exchange info with other drivers.
- Don’t admit fault: Just explain what happened to the police.
- Seek medical attention: Get checked out by a doctor, even if you feel fine.
- Contact your insurance company: Report the accident and get the next steps. Be aware that insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claim payouts, so consult a lawyer before speaking with them.
- Don’t talk to other insurance companies: Consult a Florida auto accident lawyer first.
As soon as the immediate situation is handled, get in touch with a lawyer. An experienced car accident lawyer in Florida can make sure things go smoothly, help you avoid common mistakes, and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for Florida Auto Accident Victims
Even your own insurance company may not be on your side–insurance companies will often offer lowball settlements, hoping you’ll take it just to save time. Your car accident attorney in Florida will fight for maximum compensation in your car accident claim to address the full value of what your damages are worth. Understanding the importance of financial recovery and the legal process involved is crucial, as strategic decisions made immediately after the accident can significantly influence your potential for recovering insurance benefits or damages.
Compensation available for car accident victims includes:
- Medical expenses: This includes your current medical bills, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, and hospital stays, as well as the projected costs of future medical treatment and rehabilitation. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses, but additional coverage may be necessary for serious cases where medical costs exceed this limit.
- Lost wages: Compensation for any wages you lose due to missed work as a result of your injuries.
- Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional pain you’ve endured due to the auto accident should be accounted for in the settlement.
- Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other belongings should be covered.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or limit your ability to earn a living, your lawyer will fight for compensation for this loss.
- And others, such as loss of quality of life
Every case is different. An experienced Florida car accident lawyer can help you understand the damages you can pursue. Then, they will employ various tactics to negotiate your auto accident claim and assist you in recovering compensation by navigating the legal process effectively.
Why You Need a Florida Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident
While Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, which means your own insurance typically covers your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. Handling the claims process and maximizing your compensation can be complex. Having an experienced attorney can ensure fair treatment from insurance providers and help handling the complexities of filing lawsuits, especially when injuries exceed insurance policy limits or involve negligent parties. When you’re dealing with the aftermath of an accident, possibly even a serious injury, you don’t want a drawn-out legal battle on your plate.
Here’s why a Florida car accident lawyer can be essential:
- Protecting Your Rights: Securing legal representation is crucial. Experienced injury attorneys can explain the intricacies of Florida’s laws and ensure you understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation beyond initial medical coverage. These attorneys possess the skills and knowledge to counter the insurance companies’ interests, advocate for maximum compensation, and manage the legal processes, allowing you to focus on recovery.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies focus on minimizing payouts. An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate a fair settlement that reflects the full extent of your car accident damages.
- Gathering Evidence: Building a strong case requires evidence like police reports, medical records, witness testimonies, and accident scene photos. A lawyer will know how to gather and analyze this evidence effectively.
- Representing you in court: If necessary, your lawyer will represent you at trial.
Areas We Serve
We help car accident victims throughout Florida, including:
- Boca Raton
- Boynton Beach
- Coral Gables
- Delray Beach
- Doral
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hialeah
- Hollywood
- Homestead
- Jupiter
- Kendall
- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Miami Gardens
- North Miami
- West Miami
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Pembroke Pines
- Tampa
- Wellington
Ask a Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia Florida Car Accident Attorney for Help With Your Claim
Lawyers take care of the legal complexities, paperwork, and communication with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on healing. Having a skilled Florida personal injury lawyer by your side levels the playing field against insurance companies. Our team of lawyers can protect your interests throughout the process.
At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, our team of Florida car accident lawyers has years of experience and a proven track record of winning compensation for our clients. Our law firm’s empathetic approach gives you the support you need in a difficult time, while we fight to defend your rights.
Give us a call at 800-320-4537 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options and provide tailored advice without any upfront costs.
Visit Our Main Office in Boca Raton
Our main office is located in downtown Miami, providing easy access for clients throughout the city. We specialize in personal injury cases, ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they deserve. In Florida, personal injury protection (PIP) is a mandatory part of the no-fault insurance system, designed to cover medical expenses and lost wages following an accident, regardless of fault. This helps streamline the claims process, although it has limitations in covering extensive medical costs, making additional coverage important.