A Fort Myers car accident claim can be straightforward and result in fast and favorable financial compensation. It can also be fraught with legal challenges, making it easier to navigate its legal challenges and secure your rights with help from a car accident lawyer. Most personal injury attorneys will represent you at no upfront or out-of-pocket cost to you, so you can start pursuing fair compensation right away.
When a Fort Myers car accident attorney represents you, they will handle all the moving parts of your personal injury claim. They will investigate the accident, assess your recoverable damages, and deal with the at-fault party’s insurance provider for you. In the rare situation your case goes to court, they will represent you there and keep fighting for your rights and fair financial recovery.
A Police Report Is the First Step to Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident
An official police report is usually mandatory after a Florida car accident, according to Florida Statutes § 316.066. Your car accident attorney serving Fort Myers will obtain your crash report and pull the following information from it:
- Road and weather conditions
- Each driver’s identity
- Insurance company details
- Witness contact information
- Each vehicle’s make and model
- Police narratives and diagrams
- Any injuries or fatalities
The objective details in your police accident report can secure your rights by proving you did not cause or contribute to the accident. It can also identify the at-fault driver and their insurance company, document their actions, and help steer your case toward a settlement.
It Is Never Too Soon to Get Legal Assistance for a Car Accident Claim
The sooner you start working with an auto accident attorney, the sooner they can start investigating the accident and protecting your rights. Early intervention means your legal team can:
- View and preserve critical evidence
- Speak to witnesses while their memories are fresh
- Examine smartphone photos and videos of the accident scene
- Canvass for residential and commercial surveillance video
- Consult with accident reconstruction experts
In addition to these important factors, hiring an auto accident lawyer can give you peace of mind in knowing your case meets all the required legal parameters.
Seek Medical Care and Track Your Treatments and Expenses After a Car Accident
You have the right to recover the costs of treating any injuries sustained in a negligence-based car accident. Your Fort Myers car accident claim can include a compensation request for all medical bills, including those from:
- Medical attention at the accident scene
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital admissions
- Rehab and therapy
- Required medications
- Assistive medical devices
- Physical therapy
- In-home medical support
- Psychological health care
Do not stop getting the care you need. Doing so could compromise your physical and financial recovery. Your legal team will collect your medical bills from every treatment provider and facility that treated you.
Your Fort Myers Car Accident Compensation May Include Additional Damages
Your right to financial recovery after a negligence-based accident includes more than medical bills. Your car accident lawyer serving Fort Myers can also request compensation for:
- Accident-related lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage or total loss
- Diminished property value
- Disability and disfigurement
- Ongoing pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, your right to recovery may also include wrongful death damages. Your wrongful death attorney will fight for your loved one’s funeral and burial costs and your loss of financial support and household contributions. Wrongful death compensation can also include loss of consortium, care, companionship, and guidance.
A Lawyer Can Guide You Through the Legal Process After a Car Accident
Managing your car accident claim alone can be difficult. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you could be unable to participate in your case as fully as you would like. When you have legal representation, they can help you overcome car accident adversities by:
- Handling all communication related to your case
- Completing and submitting insurance claim forms
- Assessing the value of your injuries and expenses
- Keeping you updated as your case progresses
Most Fort Myers car accident claims do not go to court. Your motor vehicle accident lawyer will negotiate for a favorable financial settlement. They will field offers, make counteroffers, and work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.
You Must File Your Car Accident Lawsuit Within the Statute of Limitations Deadline
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If you seek compensation from a municipality, you could have additional notification and filing deadlines to contend with.
If you do not file your personal injury lawsuit on time, the court may not allow you to file. If you do manage to file your lawsuit after the statute of limitations expires, the defendant will likely request its immediate dismissal. You can expect the court to grant this request, and you will have no further legal recourse available.
Your car accident attorney serving Fort Myers can help you avoid these potentially costly consequences.
Florida Amended its Comparative Negligence Law in 2023
In Florida, you may still be able to recover compensation after an automobile accident, even if your actions contributed to the crash. However, any compensation you win will be reduced by a corresponding percentage. For example, if you are 25% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 25%.
One key thing to note is that Florida recently changed its comparative negligence law (Florida Statutes § 768.81). Previously, you could recover damages for a car accident, no matter what percentage of fault you bore, as long as it was less than 100%. However, as of 2023, if you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.
Your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer will investigate your accident and carefully document any role you played in it. If you did not contribute to the crash, your lawyer will work hard to prove it and fight for the full value of your potential compensation.
Call (954) 633-8270 to Get Your Free Car Accident Case Consultation Today
If a negligent driver hit you or someone you love in Fort Myers, you should not have to bear the resulting financial burden. A car accident attorney from our personal injury law firm will secure your rights, investigate the accident, and fight for a favorable outcome.
Contact our consultation team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to start fighting for compensation today.
