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Florida hurricane season preparedness guide

Hurricane Season is Here: Are You Prepared?

Hurricanes are an incredibly destructive force of nature, and, depending on where you are located, you may be particularly vulnerable to the financial and physical devastation that they can cause. Last year alone there were 20 separate hurricanes that each resulted in over $1 billion in total damages. While it may be impossible to avoid all damages caused by hurricanes, it is possible to prepare for them. Taking steps to prepare for a hurricane can ensure that even if disaster strikes, you will be safe and have the resources that you need to recover.

Making a Hurricane Plan

Because tropical storm paths and patterns can be hard to predict exactly, it is important to take hurricane warnings seriously, and to be prepared to evacuate before you could be in potential danger. A comprehensive hurricane plan will allow you to prepare for an evacuation quickly in the event that a storm is approaching. Your plan should include having a hurricane kit ready to go, with essentials such as non-perishable foods, first-aid supplies, water, flashlights, and other essentials.

You should also have a plan in place for securing your home and the materials required to do so. This may include take and plywood (or hurricane shutters) for your windows, secure straps for your roof, and reinforcement for garage doors. It is helpful to have a checklist for these tasks, as well as others, such as bringing in all outdoor furniture and cleaning out the gutters, so that you can tackle it quickly. It is also good to have a plan for where you will evacuate to in the event of a hurricane (for instance, a relative’s house further inland or in another state), although this may have to be adjusted depending on the path and breadth of the storm.

Make Sure You Have the Right Insurance

Due to the extreme damage that can be caused to your home and belongings by hurricanes, it is important to make sure that it will be covered. The good news is that you do not need to buy a separate hurricane insurance policy. In fact, “hurricane insurance” can be a misleading term because it doesn’t really exist as a standalone policy.

In fact, damage caused by windstorms such as hurricanes is covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy provided the windstorm was classified as a hurricane. However, it is important to understand that these policies often do not cover damage caused by flooding, which is often a large component of hurricanes.

What is more, heavy rains can also cause dams to fail, which can lead to further property damage. In cases like this, dam failure lawsuits can be a viable alternative for recovery. For all these reasons, you should strongly consider purchasing a separate or additional insurance policy for flooding.

Contact Ged Lawyers, LLP in Boca Raton for a Free Case Review

If you have suffered serious property damage or other damages as a result of a hurricane or natural disaster in Florida, it is not always easy to get the insurance coverage that you have been paying for and to which you are entitled. Contact the experienced disaster recovery attorneys at Ged Lawyers, LLP today to schedule a free case review, and get the support you need to receive the coverage that you deserve.

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By : Clarissa Romero

June 1, 2022

Autonomous vehicle crash legal liability

Who is liable in a self driving auto accident

Who is Liable in a Self-Driving Auto Accident?

Vehicles that drive themselves, known as self-driving vehicles, autonomous vehicles, or just AVs, have been officially touted as safer than human-propelled vehicles. And while self-driving technology is getting better every day, the fact remains that many high-profile self-driving cars, from Uber to Tesla to Google, have been involved in numerous accidents already.

When these accidents happen, the question then becomes, does the victim pursue compensation from the car manufacturer or the owner of the car?

Self-Driving Cars and Accountability

Under our current laws, a car accident usually involves two or more drivers, with the at-fault party sometimes held liable depending on the seriousness of the injuries and if negligence was involved. But self-driving cars are new technologies, and the laws are trying to keep up. If someone gets injured in an accident with a self-driving car, a product liability claim in Boca Raton may make more sense than a typical car accident claim depending on the situation.

For instance, the first fatality involving a semi-autonomous Tesla and a tractor trailer in California led to the death of the owner of the Tesla. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that Tesla’s system lacked appropriate safeguards and the company was held responsible.

During the same time frame, a pedestrian was killed by an Uber AV. The backup driver was “visually distracted” and not paying attention at the time of the accident. The backup driver has since been charged with negligent homicide.

Personal Injury Claims Rely on the Concept of Negligence

The basis for most car accident claims in Boca Raton is driver negligence. But when a car is on auto-control or is operating driverless, driver negligence may not be a factor. Consequently, if an injured party wants to pursue a lawsuit for compensation, the victim may have to file a claim against the manufacturer. But product liability claims against large companies and manufacturers can be extremely complicated.

As long as AVs require a safety driver behind the wheel, there will be confusion about liability when something goes wrong. Furthermore, companies that produce AVs will need to consider their legal exposure in the case of an accident.

Insurance and Self-Driving Cars

Insurance laws will also need to keep up with new technologies such as AV cars.

Each state is responsible for establishing its own laws regarding insurance. In Florida, we are a no-fault insurance state, so an injured party will pursue compensation through their own personal injury protection coverage first. But if injuries are serious and their benefit resources have been spent, they will have to look further for compensation. Unfortunately, product liability claims can be complex, and automakers and their insurance companies are typically not eager to pay claims.

Can an Individual AV Owner Still Be Held Liable in an Accident Claim?

There may be situations where driver error and liability will still factor into an accident claim, and the owner or driver still be held liable. Each matter will be dependent on the circumstances surrounding the accident and the evidence available.

Seeking Guidance From an Experienced Boca Raton Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident involving a self-driving or a semi-autonomous vehicle, it is critical to get the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton who knows the laws and can perform crucial investigations to determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our experienced Boca Raton car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims get fairly compensated for their injuries by the appropriate at-fault party. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.

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By : Clarissa Romero

May 4, 2022

Middleton drunk driving injury compensation

Rights to compensation if injured by a drunk driver in middleton

What Are Your Rights to Compensation if You Have Been Injured in a Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver in Middleton, MA?

Drunk driving is a heavily penalized criminal offense in Middleton, Massachusetts. If someone has been convicted of drunk driving causing a serious injury, they can face severe criminal charges and penalties, including up to 10 years behind bars. While the drunk driver is punished, however, it does little for the victim who was injured by that drunk driver. An injury victim of a drunk driver may need to pursue their own personal injury case in civil court to be compensated for their injuries.

How Criminal Charges Differ From Civil Claims

The criminal court system and civil court system are different in how they operate. In the criminal system, the state or federal government will bring charges against an offender with the express purpose of punishing them. In the civil court system, a victim can be compensated for the losses caused by a negligent party in order to be made “whole” again. Instead of criminal punishment, the drunk driver can be ordered to compensate the victim for the harm they caused.

Your Options as an Injured Party

If you were injured by a drunk driver, you have two legal options to recover compensation for your injuries. These can either be through an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party. In most cases, pursuing an insurance claim will be the first and usually most productive route. But because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, an injured party must look to their own insurance policy first for medical benefits for their injuries.

If your costs or injuries exceed Massachusetts’ threshold, you may also have the ability to pursue compensation from the at-fault drunk driver. While a drunk driving charge is a criminal offense, it is also considered a matter of negligence. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we sue drunk drivers and help victims recover the compensation they need.

The Potential Pitfalls of a Lawsuit

If you have been seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a liability claim against the at-fault drunk driver and hold them liable for your damages.

But MA law only requires a minimum of $20,000 of liability coverage for each injured party. Unfortunately, medical costs for these accidents can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even if the drunk driver is legally insured, $20,000 can be vastly inadequate to cover all the medical expenses of an injured victim. In many cases, these drivers generally have few personal assets to go after in a lawsuit.

Fault Still Matters

While Massachusetts is a no-fault state, fault still matters in cases of liability. MA follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning that if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident, you won’t be able to recover damages. 50% fault and under, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.

Other Potential Resources for Compensation

In Massachusetts, businesses and social hosts can be held accountable for serving/overserving individuals when that person has caused an injury to someone else.

Although MA doesn’t have a specific dram shop law, under MGL c. 138 section 69, a business can be sued for over-serving someone who is visibly intoxicated. Bars, restaurants, and other establishments are responsible for refusing to serve alcohol to a patron who is intoxicated and can be held liable when the individual causes an accident that results in injury.

Social host liability is a criminal charge. When an individual serves alcohol to guests, they assume the responsibility of monitoring consumption and preventing these guests from drinking and driving and injuring someone. They may also be held accountable if they have allowed underage individuals to consume alcohol on their property and that behavior has led to an accident and injuries.

Getting the Assistance of an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Middleton, MA

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, getting adequate compensation for your injuries can be complicated. Insurance companies often work in direct opposition to your goals of getting compensated. If you have been seriously injured in an accident with an intoxicated driver, getting the guidance of an experienced Middleton, MA personal injury attorney is critical to ensure that you get the benefits you deserve.

At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we have dedicated our career to helping victims get fairly compensated for their injuries. Call us at (561) 562-4170, toll free at (844) – 4GEDLAW (844,443-3529), or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

May 4, 2022

South Florida bicycle accident response

Deadly Consequences of Bicycle Accidents in South Florida

Bicycle Vs. Car – The Deadly Consequences of Bicycle Accidents in South Florida

It should come as no surprise that when a bicyclist meets a car in an accident setting, the bicyclist is generally the loser. With the renewed popularity of biking, we are also seeing an uptick in serious accidents involving the bicycle-meets-car scenario.

In February, we witnessed a tragic fatality in Boca Raton when a 68-year-old woman was struck and killed by a pickup truck while she was riding her bicycle west on Spanish River Blvd. In 2020 alone, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported over 5,000 crashes involving bicycles.

Bicycle accidents in Florida remain a public safety issue around our state. In an area where roadways are built for motor vehicles and speed, bicycles are even more vulnerable to accidents, and our roads continue to be deadly for bicyclists.

Why Are Florida Roads So Dangerous for Bicyclists?

In a recent article in U.S. News and World Report, Florida was named the third most dangerous state for bicyclists in the nation and first in the nation for bicycle fatalities. Many factors may contribute to this, including

  • Weather that is conducive to riding
  • Wide, fast roads not built to accommodate bicycles or pedestrians
  • Outdated infrastructure
  • Reckless drivers
  • Distracted drivers
  • Impaired drivers
  • Tourists who are unfamiliar with the roads
  • An elderly population
  • Construction and road work
  • Lack of bicycle lanes and bicycle-friendly sidewalks

Put all these factors together, and you get an area that is not particularly bicycle friendly.

Driver Error

Most Boca Raton bicycle accidents are caused by driver error. Many drivers cause serious accidents by

  • Driving inattention
  • Failure to yield
  • Speeding
  • Impaired driving
  • Failure to share the road
  • Failure to follow traffic laws
  • Making an unlawful left turn
  • Making a right hood in front of a bicyclist
  • Dooring
  • Pulling out from a side street

In most cases, bicycle accidents are caused by driver error and negligence. In this case, a driver can be held liable for any injuries to the bicyclist.

Roadway Design

Roadways in Florida have never been engineered with bicyclists and pedestrians in mind. Instead, highways have become wider, speed limits faster, and very few bike lane accommodations have been made to ensure biker safety.

More Bikers on the Roads

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bike commuting has increased by 65 percent in the last few years. In addition, more cars are on the road than ever before. While cars are safer, bicycling has become more dangerous in Florida.

Defensive Biking

While most bicycle accidents are the fault of a driver, bicyclists must take caution when they head out to ensure that they are driving safely as well. Florida law requires that bicyclists abide by the same rules of the road as drivers of vehicles.

A bicyclist can be proactive about their own safety by

  • Always riding with a helmet
  • Wearing bright and highly visible clothing
  • Making sure the bike is equipped with numerous reflectors and lights for night or times of low visibility
  • Keeping both hands on the handlebars
  • Riding a bike that is the appropriate size for the rider
  • Planning the route and knowing where they are going
  • Taking caution near intersections and in heavier traffic

If You Have Been Injured in a Bike Accident in South Florida

If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver. Even if you were partially at fault, under our comparative negligence laws, you may still be entitled to partial compensation depending on your percentage of fault.

Call the Boca Raton personal injury lawyers at Ged Lawyers, LLP at (561) 562-4170 or through our online contact page to schedule a free compensation to see if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

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By : Clarissa Romero

May 4, 2022

Motorcycle accident compensation claim guide

What type of compensation can I get in a motorcycle accident

While a motorcycle is the preferred form of transportation for many, most motorcyclists are well aware of the potential for grave injuries in an accident. Because of the size, structure, and weight of a motorcycle, motorcycle crashes are some of the deadliest on our roads. Even accidents that would be considered minor for a passenger vehicle can be devastating when experienced by a biker.

When an accident involves a motorcycle and a larger vehicle, the motorcycle is already at a disadvantage. Add to that the limited protection that a motorcyclist has in an accident, even with the best helmet and gear that money can buy. A motorcyclist has no seat belts, no airbags, no protection from a steel cage designed to keep them safe in a serious accident. When it comes to motorcycle vs. car in an accident, a motorcycle is usually the loser.

Costs From a Motorcycle Accident Can Financially Devastate a Victim

Motorcycle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical care, sometimes even for life. While the immediate medical expenses of a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, the long-term financial and physical costs of a motorcycle accident can devastate a victim and their family.

When serious injuries have been sustained, the at-fault driver can be held accountable for any losses and damages. Compensation can be sought for these damages, including

  • Medical expenses, present and future
  • Lost wages, present and future
  • Personal property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death

This is when it is critical for a victim to have the assistance of a skilled Florida personal injury attorney fighting for their right to be fairly compensated.

Medical Costs For Injuries

In most cases, the bulk of the costs of a motorcycle accident comes from the immediate and long-term medical costs associated with treating, healing, rehabilitating, and other long-term care for the victim. Especially since motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, the costs of these can be astronomical. Getting compensation for medical treatment and other costs is one of the most important aspects to seeking compensation for a motorcycle accident victim.

Compensation for these costs will include emergency transportation and care, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor and specialist visits, prescriptions, medical devices, physical and occupational therapy and other medical interventions necessary for the victim to heal and move forward.

And medical treatment may not stop there. Many motorcycle accident victims will require long-term medical care that spans years and often a lifetime. An experienced Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer understands not only the short-term aspects of compensation, but also the long-term consequences and considers this when seeking compensation for an accident victim.

Lost Wages

Most motorcycle accident victims will suffer at least a short bout of being unable to return to work while they are healing. This loss of wages is compensable and will reimburse a victim for these immediate lost wages.

But many times, motorcycle injury victims will suffer injuries so extensive that they are unable to return to their line of work. In this case, a victim can be compensated for the loss of their future earning capacity due to the injuries that were suffered in the accident.

Personal Property Damage or Loss

While the rider has little protection in a motorcycle accident, the same holds true of the motorcycle itself. Most motorcycles will sustain significant damage and often require the replacement of the entire bike.

In this case, the at-fault party can be held accountable for the costs to repair or replace the vehicle in addition to any personal property damaged or lost in the accident.

General Damages That Can Be Sought After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida

In addition to specific economic damages from a motorcycle accident, there are other general damages that can be sought after a motorcycle accident. These are often referred to as “pain and suffering” or non-economic damages that can be awarded to a victim for

  • Their physical suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • And other non-economic losses

However, Florida law only allows victims to recover compensation for these non-economic damages if the following exists:

  • The victim has lost a significant and permanent bodily function.
  • The victim has suffered an injury that is, with a degree of medical certainty, permanent.
  • The victim has suffered scarring or disfigurement.
  • The victim suffered a fatal injury.

While it may be challenging to determine how much to seek for non-economic damages, a skilled Boca Raton personal injury lawyer will use many resources including expert witnesses, court precedents, and insurance calculations called multipliers to calculate damages for these injuries.

Getting the Skilled Legal Assistance of a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Attorney

After a serious motorcycle accident, the aggressive team of Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyers at Ged Lawyers, LLP can help minimize your difficulties while maximizing your compensation. If you have sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to see how we can help get you the compensation you deserve.

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By : Clarissa Romero

April 18, 2022

Common Distracted Driving Accident Causes

What are the top reasons for distracted driving accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Association, distracted driving is “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” And while most of us associate distracted driving with texting while driving, distractions can be a myriad of behaviors that take our attention away from the road.

The 3 Types of Driving Distractions

In fact, distracted driving isn’t only about taking your visual focus off the road in front of you. There are three types of driver distractions, according to the Centers for Disease Control. These are

  • Visual distraction, or taking your eyes off the road in front of you
  • Manual distraction, or taking your hands off the steering wheel of the car
  • Cognitive distraction, or taking your mind off the task of driving

While maneuvering the cell phone is the most notorious and deadly distraction, checking off all three types of distractions at once, cell phone use is only one of the many distractions that drivers encounter each day.

Texting

The most common distraction, of course, is texting while driving. Sending or even merely reading a text is a serious and deadly distraction. For every five seconds you take to send or read a text at 55 mph, it is the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field. Putting that into context, a lot can happen when a driver isn’t focused on driving for this stretch of physical area. In the United States, individuals who text while driving are the cause of approximately 26 percent of crashes where a cell phone has been a factor.

Setting or Watching GPS

Most of us are dependent on our car’s or phone’s GPS system, from navigating across the country to just across town. Much like texting, GPS navigation relies on inputting information and constantly observing where we need to navigate. Having GPS as part of your dashboard information or mounting it where it can be easily seen helps, but any time your eyes are off the road, you have put yourself at risk for a collision.

Adjusting Radio or Other Dashboard Controls

Most of us adjust controls inside the car as second nature, from radio controls to adjusting the temperature. But again, anything that takes your visual or manual attention away from the task of driving can be deadly.

Applying Makeup or Other Grooming Moves

While we have all found ourselves running late and been forced to put some finishing touches on personal grooming, just like other distractions, these take our eyes and hands away from driving.

Paying Attention to Others in the Car

Whether you have passengers in the car or you are having to deal with children or pets, too many of these distractions lead to dangerous car accidents. If you find yourself having to take your eyes off the road for a child or loose pet, it’s best to pull over and deal with the situation safely.

Daydreaming

How many of us drive on mental autopilot and can’t remember the last few minutes of driving? Daydreaming or just “zoning out” is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents today. Research with eye-tracking devices has shown that even when a driver’s eyes detect an object, a daydreaming driver doesn’t necessarily consciously “see” the object if their attention is cognitively elsewhere.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Involved in an Accident With a Distracted Driver in FL?

Unfortunately, distracted drivers cause serious accidents and equally serious injuries and fatalities.

If you have been involved in an accident with a distracted driver, it is critical to get immediate medical attention. After an accident, someone should contact the police and call 911 for an emergency vehicle if necessary. Information should be collected from any parties who were involved in the accident and any witnesses who were present as well. Make detailed notes of the driver’s behavior that may have indicated distraction such as swerving, speeding, or if you saw the driver use their phone while driving.

Holding At-Fault Drivers Accountable in Florida

In some cases, despite our Florida no-fault laws, an injured individual can hold the at-fault party accountable and seek compensation for damages. Distracted driving is considered driver negligence and if you have been seriously injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation from that driver.

If you have sustained serious injuries or other damages in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you should get the assistance of an experienced Boca Raton personal injury attorney to ensure that the at-fault driver is held responsible. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we obtain the police report and conduct a thorough investigation of the accident so the responsible party is held accountable. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

April 18, 2022

Weather Windshield Damage Insurance Coverage

Will insurance companies pay for windshield damage from weather

In Florida, a new insurance law now covers windshield repairs for drivers. This law was put into place to ensure that drivers get important windshield replacements so they are not driving with unsafe cracked or otherwise damaged windshields that may cause accidents. If you are a Florida driver with the appropriate insurance coverage, not only will the insurance company cover the cost of your windshield repair, but you won’t even have to pay a deductible.

How Do Windshield Repairs Work Under Insurance in Florida?

Whether your insurance will cover a windshield repair and how much it will cost will depend on what caused the damage and what type of insurance coverage you have.

Under Florida’s insurance laws, a windshield repair not caused by a collision under a combined additional coverage policy or comprehensive policy claim will not only be free but will also not be subject to a policy claim deductible. However, windshield repairs caused by a collision are covered by a driver’s collision policy and are still subject to policy deductibles.

How Insurance Works in Florida

In Florida, every registered car owner is required by law to have personal injury protection coverage in Boca Raton, FL, and property damage liability coverage. A driver is required to have a minimum of $10,000 in both personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and property damage liability.

Under Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, each registered driver is responsible for their own personal injury benefits, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. After a car accident in Boca Raton, FL, if a driver has sustained injuries, they will first look to their own PIP insurance policy to cover the costs of their injuries. If there is damage to the driver’s car, the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for those repairs under their property damage liability policy.

Other Coverages That a Driver May Choose to Have

Because Florida only requires a minimum of insurance, many car owners choose to buy additional insurance coverage for their car including collision, comprehensive, and combined additional coverage.

Collision insurance pays for the cost to repair their car after an accident that is not covered by another driver’s insurance. In cases of automobile damages not sustained in an accident, the car owner will need CAC or comprehensive insurance coverage to cover any repairs to their car.

  • CAC coverage will pay for repairs to a vehicle that were caused by anything other than a collision, theft, or fire.
  • Comprehensive covers damages to a vehicle not caused by a collision.

These both cover any damage that may have resulted from a weather occurrence. Florida’s insurance laws entitle a car owner with CAC or comprehensive coverage to get windshield repairs for damages sustained in a windstorm or other weather occurrence for free without paying the deductible. A windshield repair under a collision policy is still subject to a deductible.

Why Getting Your Windshield Repaired is Important

A windshield system is specifically designed to ensure passenger safety. A weakened windshield provides less structural protection and also decreases critical driver visibility.

A car’s windshield system is vital to its structure, providing approximately 60 percent of its stability in a rollover and 45 percent in a front-end collision. A crack or chip in a car’s windshield not only affects the strength of the glass in the windshield but can also affect the structural integrity of the car. Even a minor accident with a cracked windshield can result in shattering, crushing, and serious injuries to anyone inside. Consequently, driving with windshield damage can potentially result in serious accidents resulting in severe personal injuries.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident in Florida involving a damaged windshield, you should get the assistance of a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and options. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our team of Florida personal injury lawyers will provide a thorough investigation of the accident to ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable for your damages. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible claim.

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By : Clarissa Romero

April 18, 2022

Uninsured Motorist Insurance Florida Importance

Why is it important to have uninsured motorist insurance in Florida

While drivers in Florida are required by law to have specific minimum insurance coverage on their motor vehicles to drive here, the fact remains that many drivers in Florida are uninsured. While having uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory, it is a good idea for drivers to pay the extra small premium to ensure against potential risk.

Our Uninsured Driver Problem

In Florida, drivers who are uninsured or underinsured are a huge problem. The Florida DMV has estimated that approximately one in seven drivers on our roads is uninsured. Other estimates have come in as high as one in four drivers in Florida driving without insurance. That equates to millions of drivers without insurance, with a chance that if you are involved in a car accident in Boca Raton, FL, there is a 25 percent chance that the other person is uninsured. The rest typically have the bare minimum of coverage for personal injury protection and property damage liability.

How Insurance Works in Florida

All registered drivers in Florida are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance. This includes $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage and $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Because Florida is a no-fault insurance state, personal injury protection will cover the policyholder for medical bills and lost wages up to the amount of coverage in case they or their passengers sustain any injuries in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

PIP insurance will cover

  • The insured driver
  • Any other residents of the insured driver’s household
  • Anyone driving the insured driver’s vehicle
  • Any passengers in the insured driver’s vehicle

Personal injury protection coverage will pay up to 80 percent of medical expenses, 60 percent of lost income, and death benefits up to $5,000 up to the total amount of coverage, minus any deductibles.

Property damage liability will cover damages to the other individual’s car in the case of an accident.

What Happens When a Serious Accident is the Fault of Another Driver?

Serious accidents often result in extensive damage to the vehicles and extraordinary medical costs. In the case of severe injuries, an injured party may have the right to pursue compensation from an at-fault party.

But bodily injury insurance is not required in Florida. While this then makes the at-fault party personally liable through a personal injury lawsuit, if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, chances are that they don’t have any financial resources either. While a victim can file a lawsuit, the chances of recovery are slim. This makes it very difficult for an injury victim to receive full compensation for their injuries or other damages.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Can Help

When an accident results in injuries, medical costs, and lost wages, uninsured motorist coverage will cover anything that other insurance coverage falls short on. Uninsured motorist insurance will cover collisions, hit and run accidents, and even pedestrian accidents in Boca Raton, FL. It will also cover you even if you are riding or driving someone else’s vehicle.

While you aren’t required to carry uninsured motorist coverage in Florida, with so many uninsured drivers on our roads, it is a good idea to mitigate your risks by purchasing this additional coverage if you drive on our roads.

Recovering Compensation After an Accident in Florida

If you have been involved in an accident in Florida, getting compensated fairly for injuries can be a problem. You may have been seriously injured by a negligent uninsured driver, or you may even be struggling to collect from your own personal injury protection policy.

Navigating insurance claims after an accident in Florida can be complicated and require serious negotiation and even a possible lawsuit to ensure that you get fairly compensated under the law. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our team of Boca Raton car accident lawyers can help you navigate insurance claims and get the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured in an accident and are having difficulty getting insurance benefits for your damages, call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to see how we can help get you the compensation you deserve.

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By : Clarissa Romero

April 18, 2022

Windshield Repair Or Replacement Guide

Should I Get My Windshield Replaced or Fixed?

Windshield damage is common here in Florida. Between our constant construction and road debris and far too frequent automobile accidents, windshields bear the brunt of our automobile-focused society in Florida. If you have experienced windshield damage, you may be confused about whether it’s better to replace your windshield or if a repair will do the trick.

The real answer is it depends. Whether you replace or repair your windshield will have everything to do with whether the damage inhibits your visibility or the structural integrity of the car. A repair will also be dependent on the location, size, and depth of the damage that you are repairing. When your car has sustained windshield damage, there are a few things you need to consider.

How Safe is My Windshield?

As in all automobile structural repairs, you want to ensure that the safety of the vehicle has been maintained. While driving with a cracked or chipped windshield may not seem that dangerous, that may be far from the truth.

Your windshield system supports the structural integrity of the roof of the car and has an impact on whether the car will be able to sustain an accident or rollover. If your car has sustained a damaged windshield, a repair may not restore the integrity of the car’s roof and safety systems.

Does the Damage Inhibit My Visibility?

If you are driving with a windshield that is cracked across your line of vision, this can be dangerous, particularly at night or in inclement weather. Repairing the glass across your line of vision may also distort the way the light reflects off it. Getting a windshield repaired if the damage is within your line of vision – generally the main surface covered by your wipers – may not be as good a solution as getting your windshield replaced.

Where is the Damage Positioned?

If your windshield has sustained a crack close to the frame, technicians generally will recommend that the windshield be replaced. Any damage close to the corner or edge of the glass is particularly subject to the stress and vibration of the car as it travels across different surfaces. These cracks can quickly become worse with little provocation.

Not only can a crack undermine the safety of the car, it can also affect the technology components such as sensors, automatic braking, and other systems that are embedded in the windshield itself.

Repair Vs. Replacement

When it comes to repair vs. replacement, there are some common rules of thumb.

A windshield can be repaired if

  • Repairing the damaged windshield will not reduce the safety and structural integrity of the roof and safety systems
  • The crack being repaired does not exceed 12 inches
  • The chip being repaired is less than 1 inch in diameter
  • The outer layer of the glass is the only thing that is damaged
  • The damage is not near the outer perimeter of the glass

A windshield must be replaced if

  • The damage inhibits the diver’s visibility
  • The windshield has a crack longer than 14 inches
  • The windshield has a chip larger than 3 inches in diameter
  • All layers of the glass have been broken
  • The damage reaches a corner or edge of the glass

Florida’s Windshield Replacement Law

Fortunately, if you have comprehensive insurance coverage, Florida has a windshield replacement law that allows you to get a replacement for free with no deductible if you have potentially dangerous damage to your windshield.

If you have been injured in an accident that resulted in the damage to your windshield, you may also be entitled to compensation for your injuries as well as any damage to your car. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our Boca Raton personal injury attorneys may be able to help. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us on our website contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss a potential claim

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By : Clarissa Romero

April 15, 2022

Windshield Damage Liability Law Guide

If Your Windshield Breaks On the Highway and Damages Another Car, Are You Liable?

What is your liability if your broken windshield has caused damage to another car? Let’s consider a hypothetical accident.

You have had a crack in your windshield for months and you’ve been putting off repairing it. One day, you are driving along, and some debris from the road flies up and hits your windshield. Because your windshield is already cracked, your windshield shatters. Even worse, your shattered windshield causes a car accident in Boca Raton, damaging the car next to you and injuring the driver. Although this scenario may seem unlikely, it can and does happen more than you can imagine on our roadways. In this situation, who is liable?

No-Fault Insurance in Florida

Florida has no-fault insurance laws. This means that the individual whose car was damaged or who sustained injuries in an accident will first look to their own insurance policies. Their collision coverage will cover any damage to their car and their PIP will cover any personal injury expenses.

But in cases of negligence, the other driver could hold you liable if they have sustained serious injuries and damages. As a driver, you are responsible for any damages caused by your negligent actions. If the other driver can prove that you acted negligently, they can seek compensation from your liability coverage, or they can bring a civil lawsuit against you personally to seek compensation.

But Is My Broken Windshield Considered Negligence?

When you have not repaired a damaged windshield, it could be considered negligence, particularly if it was the primary cause of an accident. When you continue driving with a damaged windshield, you are setting yourself up not only for a lawsuit, but also for a serious accident and injuries to yourself and others.

A cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged windshield can be hazardous and can result in

  • Visibility obstruction – Cracks, chips, or other damage in your direct line of sight can obstruct your ability to see what is in front of you, especially in low-light settings or inclement weather. Cracks have a way of reflecting light differently, potentially causing glare.
  • Structural integrity loss – One of the most important functions of a windshield is structural integrity. The design and proper installation of a windshield lend structural strength to the roof of your car. A cracked or damaged windshield can weaken the strength of the entire roof system of the car and can potentially cause the roof to collapse in a rollover accident.
  • Ineffective deployment of airbags – Your car’s windshield system works in tandem with the mechanics of your airbag system, potentially rendering them useless in the case of an accident.
  • Inability to tolerate impact – A cracked, or damaged windshield may not be able to tolerate any impact in an accident, which leaves occupants exposed and at risk of serious injuries.
  • Shattered glass – While windshield glass is designed to hold together if it is broken, windshields that are already damaged may shatter in an accident and result in injuries to those inside the car.

So if you have a cracked or damaged windshield, you not only put your own safety at risk, but you put others at risk if it results in an accident.

Florida Windshield Replacement Law

Fortunately, for these important safety reasons, the Florida windshield replacement law was enacted to help drivers get immediate windshield repairs at no cost to them.

Consequently, if you have comprehensive insurance coverage, you can get your windshield repaired without even having to pay a deductible. There is no reason to drive with a damaged windshield in Florida if you have comprehensive insurance coverage.

If you have questions about your liability for damages under the law or you have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, the Boca Raton windshield damage lawyers at Ged Lawyers, LLP can help. Call us at (561) 995-1966 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost appointment.

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By : Clarissa Romero

March 23, 2022

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