Car Accident Claim in Fort Myers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Fort Myers Car Accident Claim car accidents are a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Roughly 35,000 people are killed in auto accidents every year, and millions more suffer injuries, property damage, and lost income.
Car Accident Insurance Claim Settlement in Fort Myers
The treatment costs for a single-vehicle accident injury can be as high as $50,000 or more, depending on the extent and severity of the injury in question. Society as a whole loses tens of billions of dollars every year from car accidents in the form of lost productivity, lost income, lost workdays, property damage, and insurance overheads.
To win car accident compensation, you should follow the Fort Myers car accident claim process outlined below.
We Help To Identify Fault for Your Accident
First, you must identify who was at fault for your accident. Many accidents are caused by some form of negligence, recklessness, or carelessness. Examples of negligence include:
- Overspeeding.
- Reckless driving.
- Aggressive driving.
- Driving under the influence.
- Driving without the requisite licensing or training.
- Drowsy driving.
- Distracted driving, which includes texting, applying makeup, eating, or interacting with other passengers while driving.
Other causes of accidents include damaged roads, vehicle malfunctions, or missing signs or traffic control devices. For such cases, a construction crew, a vehicle service or maintenance team, or a local municipality responsible for road upkeep may be liable for the damages caused in your accident. For more help call our car accident lawyer in Fort Myers.
We Help To Evaluate Your Car Accident Losses and Damages
Once you have identified the at-fault party you deem responsible for your accident, you must determine how much you lost as a result of the accident. To do this, you must total your economic and non-economic losses from the accident. These losses typically include:
- Medical treatment expenses.
- Vehicle repair expenses.
- Property damage.
- Incidental expenses, such as car rental fees or home service expenses.
- Mental anguish or emotional trauma.
- Lost income.
- Lost ability to work.
- Loss of consortium or companionship.
- Funeral, burial, and/or cremation costs.
Impact of Medical Treatment Expenses in Accident Cases
Medical treatment expenses can severely impact your financial stability, especially serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and internal organ damage. Some injuries, such as nerve or bone injuries, can take months to recover from, while some injuries, such as head or spinal cord damage, may require long-term therapy and rehabilitation or even lead to permanent disabilities.
File an Auto Accident Claim in Fort Myers
In no-fault states such as Florida, you can use your personal injury protection—also called PIP coverage—to pay for certain injuries and cover lost income up to certain amounts. In most cases, you can only sue someone for damages if your injuries or losses meet a certain threshold. Permanent disabilities, amputations, and wrongful death are generally categorized as catastrophic injuries for which you can sue for damages.
To Seek Auto Accident Compensation in Fort Myers
To seek auto accident compensation and file a car accident lawsuit for such damages, you must first inform the at-fault party’s insurer that you intend to seek damages from them by issuing them a demand letter, also known as a letter of intent to sue. You must submit this letter along with the evidence collected above and arguments proving that you are owed compensation.
The insurance company can accept your claim. In which case, you work towards a settlement. Alternately, the insurer may issue you a denial, and you may need to take your case to court for resolution.
We Assist You With Your Auto Accident Compensation Case
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can assist you with your auto accident compensation case. To file a car accident lawsuit or to learn more about the personal injury claim process, please contact our offices at (954) 633-8270. We can help you:
- Identify the at-fault party responsible for your accident.
- Gather evidence such as police reports, eyewitness statements, video footage, vehicle maintenance logs, driver cellphone usage records, or driver blood alcohol levels to support your case.
- Identify potentially compensable forms of damage.
- Estimate the value of your damages, both economic as well as non-economic.
- Obtain the testimony of a medical professional to prove the extent of your injuries. This is a legal requirement for some accident cases and in some jurisdictions.
- Submit a letter of intent to sue the at-fault party’s insurer.
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
- Take your case to court if we cannot arrive at a settlement.
Reach Out To Us Today
Reach out to us today. Medical bills, lost income, and other outlays can quickly pile up, and you must file a claim within specific statutes of limitation if you are to successfully file a claim for damages. Missing these statutes of limitation, submitting an incomplete claim, missing important forms of documentation, or not gathering the right types of evidence can harm your case. Contact our Fort Myers personal injury lawyer today for assistance with the auto accident claim process.
Contact The Law Offices Wolf & Pravato
The Law Offices Of Wolf & Pravato may be able to help you recover your losses for medical expenses, lost wages, repair fees, etc. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a Florida auto accident attorney from the law offices of Wolf & Pravato at 1-833-704-4878. Justice is not automatic; we will fight for you.
FAQs Fort Myers Car Accident Claims
Our team can answer all your questions about Fort Myers car accident claims, including these more common ones.
1. What Is the Process to Claim Car Insurance?
The process of submitting a car insurance claim begins immediately after your car accident. You are required to gather certain forms of evidence to prove that (1) the accident happened, and (2) you were injured as a result. In other words, you will need to submit the crash report, evidence of your medical treatment, and other supporting evidence with your claim for compensation.
Be sure to seek medical attention for any injuries sustained in the crash promptly. Florida Statutes § 627.736(1)(a) states that you must seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident to qualify for personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
When submitting your car insurance claim, you should include additional evidence such as accident scene photos, car repair receipts, and witness statements. You should also include a demand letter detailing all your losses and explaining the financial recovery you believe you deserve. The insurance adjuster will ask you for any other documents necessary to make a claim, then calculate what they believe your case is worth.
2. What Is the Claim Process?
Once you send the insurance company evidence to prove your losses, the ball is in the insurance company’s court. They may respond by:
- Agreeing to your demand amount and compensating you accordingly
- Disagreeing with your demand and offering you a lower amount
- Denying your claim entirely
This is another point where it can greatly help to have a lawyer from our team on your side. Insurance companies often attempt to make lowball offers to individuals who represent their own car accident cases. Our lawyers know how to prove the value of your damages and negotiate for the best possible settlement.
If the insurance company will not make you a fair offer, our lawyers can file a lawsuit and take your case to trial to seek the compensation you deserve.
3. Is It Good to Claim Car Insurance?
Because of Florida’s no-fault rules, accident victims often begin by seeking financial recovery through a car insurance claim. However, if the other party was liable for your crash and you suffered serious injuries, your case may not stop with a car insurance claim. For example, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the other driver. A lawyer from our team can help you determine the best legal pathway for your case.
4. How Do I Write a Letter of Claim for a Car Accident?
A letter of claim, also referred to as a demand letter, typically consists of the following elements:
- A description of what happened and how the accident was caused
- An explanation of why the insurance company is liable for damages
- A description of injuries, treatments, and prognosis
- A breakdown of costs and losses resulting from the crash
- Details of any pain and suffering related to the injuries
- Supporting evidence
- An exact dollar amount requested as compensation
Again, a lawyer from our team can help you include all the relevant details in your letter and write it in a way that motivates an insurance company to respond.
5. What Are the Four Types of Claims?
In general, four types of coverage may be included in an auto insurance policy. Depending on your policy, you could make a claim for:
- Property damage liability coverage (PD), which pays for damages caused to another party’s vehicle
- Personal injury protection (PIP), which covers the cost of crash-related medical treatments
- Collision coverage, which covers property damage to your vehicle
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM or UIM), which protects you if you are in an accident with someone who lacks auto insurance
If you selected other types of coverage, you may be able to make additional claims accordingly.
