Car Accidents

Southwest Florida Car Accident Attorneys

Driving can be taken for granted as it becomes routine in everyday life. It is not until we’re involved in a serious car accident that we are reminded how dangerous and serious driving an automobile can be. In Florida alone, as many as 390,000 car accidents are reported annually, often due to the recklessness or negligence of another party.

Car accidents can be life changing. Outside of physical and emotional damages often experienced, the costs associated with medical bills, vehicle repair, and property damage can be considerable, significant, and in many cases extend beyond basic insurance coverage. Coordinating between insurance companies, law enforcement, and medical professionals can the disrupt the flow of daily routine, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Following a car accident, it is imperative that you know your rights and what steps can be taken to proceed forward with an insurance claim to recover compensation for damages incurred as a result of the accident.

What To Do Following A Car Accident

Immediately following a car accident, the most important thing an individual can do is to seek medical attention. Not only is it important for your own health and well being, but it also may be vital to the success of your personal injury claim.  Under Florida’s No-Fault motor vehicle law, a person who is injured in a car accident must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident in order to be eligible for financial compensation under an insurance policy.

A physician’s recommendation is especially important in cases of serious injury as their judgment will likely influence the amount of financial compensation for all present and future medical costs. However, even in minor accidents where you believe you are okay, it is of your own benefit to seek out a medical professional in order to ensure you are in good health while also helping to preserve your legal rights. Failure to do so may mean that you may not be entitled to financial compensation if an injury does present itself following the accident.

After receiving medical treatment, you are required by law to contact the sheriff, local police department, or Florida’s Highway Patrol about the accident. Take photos of the scene as best as you can, document any important information you recall from the accident, and obtain the insurance information of any party involved. If there were any other witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information as well if possible.

Remember that you can always take these steps and file at a later date if your injuries are extensive.

How Is Compensation Determined

In Florida, there are two ways to obtain compensation for your car accident claim:

• File a claim based on your personal injury protection (PIP) policy; or,
• File a claim based on the at-fault driver’s insurance policy

Under the state’s “No-Fault” insurance law, most minor injuries and damages will be covered under your policy. This might include things such as stitches, casts, splints, and other basic medical treatments. But what happens if your injuries are serious and exceed the limits of your PIP policy?

If the other party caused your crash and you meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may be eligible for financial damages. This value depends on each claim’s specific situation but typically includes items such as:

• Ambulance fees
• Emergency treatment
• Physician or hospital bills
• Prescription drugs
• Ongoing and future care
• Rehabilitation costs
• Therapy or counseling costs
• Vehicle repair costs
• Equipment costs
• Lost wages; or
• Funeral costs in the case of wrongful death.

Each case is different and may require a number of documents as proof of your claims. When injured in an automobile accident, an attorney is best suited to assist you to ensure you are aware of your rights and that your claim is properly handled.

Please also note that the Florida statute of limitations gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries.

Contact The Kagan Law Firm

Regardless of the severity of a car accident, it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are available to protect your rights. At the Kagan Law Firm, we strive to ensure our clients are properly educated of their rights and options to allow them to make informed decisions of how to best proceed forward with their claim. Our legal team is dedicated to helping our clients obtain the best possible result for their automobile accident injury case.

Recently involved in an automobile accident? We urge you to contact our office today for a complimentary review of your case at (239) 466-1161. Additionally, you may also fill out the form below and a member of our staff will contact you once your inquiry is received.