ACCIDENTS HAPPEN: WE’RE HERE TO CLEAN UP THE MESS
After a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by medical concerns, vehicle damage, and the complicated legal process ahead. Understanding the basics of car accident cases can help you navigate this challenging time and protect your rights.
At Eberst Law, we help car accident victims throughout Florida secure the compensation they deserve. Our experienced attorneys have a proven track record of success in helping clients recover financially while they focus on physical recovery.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, taking the right steps immediately afterward can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
Proper documentation is crucial for building a strong case. Take pictures of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. These photos can provide valuable evidence of how the accident occurred and the resulting damages.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 20% of car accident injuries don’t present symptoms immediately after the crash, which is why seeking prompt medical attention is essential, even if you feel fine initially. [www.nhtsa.gov]
After a car accident in Florida, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of your case:
Economic damages include financial losses that can be calculated, such as:
Keep all receipts, medical bills, and documentation of time missed from work to help calculate these damages accurately.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and include:
These damages compensate you for the negative impact the accident has had on your quality of life and are typically available in cases involving significant injuries.
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which affects how car accident claims are handled. Understanding this system is essential for navigating your claim effectively.
Under Florida’s no-fault system, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits, regardless of who caused the accident. PIP coverage typically includes:
However, PIP coverage is limited to $10,000, which may not be sufficient for serious injuries. To pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold,” which includes:
If your injuries meet this threshold, you may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Understanding the common causes of car accidents can help you stay vigilant on the road and identify potential liability in your case. Some frequent causes include:
Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of accidents in Florida. This includes:
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that distracted driving resulted in over 56,000 crashes in Florida in a recent year, causing thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making accidents more likely. Impaired drivers may face both criminal charges and civil liability for damages caused.
Exceeding the speed limit or driving aggressively reduces a driver’s ability to react to road hazards and increases the severity of crashes. This includes tailgating, weaving through traffic, and running red lights.
Florida’s heavy rain and occasional fog can create hazardous driving conditions. Drivers have a responsibility to adjust their driving behavior according to weather conditions.
Navigating a car accident claim without legal representation can be challenging, particularly when dealing with insurance companies focused on minimizing payouts. At Eberst Law, we have extensive experience handling car accident cases throughout Florida, with offices in Stuart, Gainesville, and Daytona Beach to serve you better.
Our team is dedicated to providing personalized attention to each client, and we pride ourselves on our accessibility and responsiveness. With over a decade of experience helping accident victims, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these incidents can take on victims and their families. We’ll fight tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. For a free consultation about your case, call us at 772-225-4900 or contact us through our online contact form.
