Car accidents can result in devastating injuries, and these accidents happen every day in Florida. If you were hurt in a collision, you might be entitled to compensation. The source of that compensation might not be immediately clear, depending on the type of insurance policies and coverage involved.
Navigating a personal injury case in Florida without guidance is difficult. In addition to dealing with insurance adjusters, you could also face strict legal deadlines and aggressive attorneys working for the other side. Let our Florida car accident lawyer protect your rights and even the playing field. You deserve fair compensation and the experienced attorneys on our legal team are ready to help you secure it.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance and Personal Injury Protection Applies to Car Accident Cases
Florida is one of a handful of states that takes a no-fault approach to motor vehicle accident liability. That means drivers are generally required to seek compensation through their own insurance policy instead of filing a lawsuit against the person who caused the crash.
In addition to liability coverage, state law requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). In some cases, you must rely on the insurance coverage provided by these policies in order to seek compensation following a car accident.
Pursuing a PIP claim can have its advantages. In this no-fault system, you could recover compensation for your injuries no matter who was at fault for the crash. These claims typically pay out faster compared to liability insurance. However, these policies will only pay up to a set limit, and anything beyond that is your responsibility.
In Florida, it is important for drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist coverage. This is because of the high number of uninsured and underinsured drivers in the state.
Dealing with insurance companies is not always easy, though. For example, an insurance company may try to undervalue or deny your accident claim. The good news is that there are ways to avoid the no-fault system and pursue a negligence claim against the driver who struck you. This is only possible under certain circumstances. An accident attorney could help you identify if a lawsuit is an option in your case.
Types of Recoverable Compensation After a Sarasota Car Accident
You could be entitled to different categories of monetary compensation should you pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Each of these types of damages could combine to form your final settlement amount. Our personal injury attorney can advise you on the types of damages available to you and what your case might be worth. They can seek compensation from various negligent parties, as well.
Here are some of the damages you may be compensated for:
Medical Expenses
You could be facing significant injuries following a car accident. These injuries could require medical care—now and in the future. Monetary compensation could be available to pay for these costs, which could include treatments like surgery, prescription drugs, and physical therapy.
Lost Wages
Missing work due to a car accident injury can be a disruptive event. This time away from work could result in missed paychecks and unexpected financial strain. With the help of an attorney, you could recoup the wages you missed out on due to your injury.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain is an unfortunate part of many car accidents. Because you only experience this pain due to the carelessness of the other driver, compensation for your pain could be available through your injury case.
Mental Anguish
Emotional trauma is common following major vehicle collisions. For some people, reliving the experience can haunt them even after their physical injuries have already healed. This mental anguish could result in a monetary award based on how it has impacted your life following the accident.
Property Damage
The damage to your personal property could also result in financial compensation. Just like with your injuries, the extent of this damage will determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover. Often, this involves a monetary award that allows you to repair or replace your car. Even minor fender benders deserve to be made whole.
Other kinds of damages may include emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment, lost promotion opportunities, used vacation and sick time, and more. Our lawyers will seek the maximum compensation to cover all of your damages.
Seek Medical Attention After Your Sarasota Car Accident
Make sure you see a doctor and receive treatment for your injuries, even if they appear minor. Your Sarasota car accident attorney can use your medical records to establish your losses and protect you from an insurer who tried to shift the blame onto you.
The last thing you want is for an insurer to try to undervalue or deny your claim. You also deserve to make your maximum medical recovery. Always follow your doctor’s orders. Your health is the most important thing you have.
Types of Injuries You Can Suffer From an Auto Accident
Car accidents can be caused by anything from drunk driving to distracted driving to bad weather causing dangerous road conditions. Regardless of the cause, the results can be severe, even deadly.
Here are some of the types of bodily injuries that can result from a Sarasota car accident:
- Spinal cord injury
- Head trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Amputated limbs
- Permanent scarring
If your loved one lost their life due to the reckless actions of another, we offer our sincerest condolences for your loss. You do not have to stand alone during this tragic moment in your life. If you wish to pursue a wrongful death claim against the liable party, GED Lawyers is ready to put our extensive experience at your disposal.
The Time You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Each state and jurisdiction places limits on the amount of time an injured party has to file a civil lawsuit against a negligent driver or another liable party. Florida is no exception. The deadline that applies to your car accident injury case is commonly known as the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is one of the most dangerous pitfalls facing a civil lawsuit. This deadline is strictly enforced, and the judge in your case is likely to dismiss your lawsuit with prejudice if you file after the deadline expires. A dismissal with prejudice means that you forever lose the opportunity to file a lawsuit based on your injuries. This is true even if negligence in your case is undisputed.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury has changed as of March 2023. Previously, an accident victim had 4 years to pursue a lawsuit or initiate the insurance process. After the passage of HB 837/SB 236, the Florida statute of limitations has been reduced to just 2 years. After that, you risk losing your opportunity to pursue a personal injury claim and your chance at a fair settlement.
Our experienced car accident attorneys could help you avoid this pitfall by monitoring the statute of limitations in your case and ensuring your lawsuit is filed with time to spare.
Types of Car Accidents
Any collision involving a car could result in a viable case for compensation when negligence is involved. However, understanding the common types of motor vehicle accidents could assist with building a winning case for negligence.
Rear-End Collisions
By far, the most common type of car accident is the rear-end collision. These accidents typically occur at intersections when the following driver fails to stop in time to avoid striking the car in front of them.
Side-Impact Collisions
A side-impact crash can happen in different ways. These accidents are often known as T-bone accidents and occur when the front of a car strikes the side of another. Side-impact collisions can also happen when the sides of two vehicles strike each other.
Rollovers
Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips on its side or top and rolls before coming to a stop. These accidents can involve multiple vehicles, but they often occur when one driver loses control.
Front-End Collisions
These are often known as head-on collisions. A head-on or front-end collision is one of the most devastating types of car accidents. These collisions involve tremendous force, as the cars are typically traveling in opposite directions when they collide.
Let Our Firm Help After a Car Accident in Florida
If you suffered injuries in a car crash, you have the right to hire legal representation. The personal injury lawyers at GED Lawyers are ready to help you pursue justice. To learn how a Florida car accident lawyer could help, call right away for a free consultation.
