Personal Injury Lawyer to Settle an Accident Claim
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were more than 250,000 car accident injuries in Florida in 2021. The state’s no-fault laws allowed many of these people to file claims based on their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage without proving fault.
However, there are several reasons why a crash victim might want to hire a Florida personal injury lawyer to help settle an accident claim. This is especially true if the costs of their medical care and lost income exceed their PIP policy coverage.
Car Accident Attorneys Protect the Client’s Rights
Car accident attorneys have one overarching goal: to protect injured claimants’ rights after a crash. Your Florida car accident lawyer can evaluate your options for filing insurance claims and manage them for you, seeking the most compensation available. They can also handle all dealings with the insurance companies, attorneys, and others involved.
A Lawyer Handles the Car Accident Investigation
If your injuries are serious enough to pursue a fault-based injury claim or lawsuit, you must show the other driver acted negligently and caused the accident. Alternatively, another party’s negligence led to the crash. Your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will know what information could support your case, whether during negotiations or in court.
To gather evidence, a lawyer may:
- Obtain the police report, relevant medical records, and other documents
- Interview witnesses
- Identify any videos or photos from the crash
- Work with accident reconstruction professionals
- Call in medical specialists and other experts (if necessary)
- Document your injuries and damages
Using Evidence, Your Lawyer Can Prove Negligence
To recover damages, your personal injury lawyer must show how another party’s negligence caused your collision. Proving negligence involves showing:
- The party had a duty to act in accordance with traffic laws.
- They failed to act as required.
- This breach caused the collision.
- You suffered harm as a result.
Proving negligence can be difficult on your own especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries. This is another reason to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer for your car accident claim.
A Law Firm Navigates the Claims Process and Any Issues
Your lawyer will do everything in their power to recover compensation for your injuries, lost income, and treatment costs. You can expect them to:
- Identify the insurance coverage available to you
- Develop the case
- Demand fair and just compensation
- Negotiate with the insurance company representatives
- Fight for your best interests
They can also provide regular updates and answer your questions throughout this process. That way, you can make informed decisions as the need arises.
When Is a Lawsuit Necessary?
Many serious injury claims settle through insurance negotiations. However, sometimes a lawsuit is necessary. An attorney may assess this possibility and discuss it with you if they see:
- Too little time left before the deadline to sue
- An insurer that refuses to offer a fair settlement
- The other party denies liability and refuses to negotiate
- You may pursue punitive damages
- Other circumstances that may call for a lawsuit
If your attorney advises you to sue the at-fault driver, they will manage this process and represent you. They know how to handle each step of a lawsuit.
Your attorney should also ensure your right to sue remains protected. There is a deadline to sue in Florida set by Florida Statutes § 95.11. You likely only have four years from the accident date in a personal injury case or two years from your loved one’s passing in a wrongful death lawsuit to file.
Many Injury Firms Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis
You may be hesitant to hire a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney because of cost. Many people wrongfully assume that getting legal help is only for wealthy people. That’s not true. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, minimizing your financial risk in seeking legal help.
First, your lawyer will assess how much you can recover through a claim or lawsuit. Then, they’ll evaluate how much work goes into proving your case. If you decide to work with them, they’ll take a portion of your settlement as payment for their attorney’s fees. So, you pay nothing from your savings for their help.
Discuss Your Legal Options With an Attorney From Our South Florida Team
Our car accident lawyers from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato provide free consultations for those hurt in collisions in South Florida. Our firm devotes this time to ensuring victims understand their rights and options based on the details of their cases. Speak with one of our attorneys today by calling (954) 633-8270.
