FAQs About Car Accidents In Florida
If you have been involved in a Florida car accident, you most likely have a lot of questions. If you have just been in a Florida car accident and are looking for answers, this article is for you. As car accident attorneys, we get a lot of questions about car accidents from clients and potential clients. To help you get some, if not all, of the answers you are looking for, we have put together some FAQs about car accidents in Florida.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
First, you need to call the police to the accident scene and make an official report. Secondly, you should seek prompt medical treatment. You should seek medical attention even if you believe you didn’t suffer any injury or only suffered a minor injury. Another crucial thing to do after a car accident is photographing the accident scene and your injuries to preserve evidence.
Do I Have to File a Claim Immediately After My Accident?
You don’t have to file a car accident claim immediately after your accident, but it is in your best interest not to wait to file your claim. You may have four years after the date of your Florida car accident to file a claim, but waiting to file a claim can have devastating effects. For example, evidence could be lost or altered. Also, witnesses’ memories could fade.
How Is Liability Determined in a Florida Car Accident Case?
Determining liability or fault in a Florida car accident case is not always easy. Sometimes, it entails finding a motorist violated a traffic law, and other times it is more complicated.
What Compensation Can I Recover in My Florida Car Accident Claim?
Depending on your case’s specifics, you can recover the following damages, among many others, in your Florida car accident claim;
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Home health care services
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Child care expenses
- Cost of lost services
You may also be qualified to recover punitive damages if the defendant is guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
What Happens if I am Also at Fault for My Car Accident?
In Florida, you can still recover compensation even if you are also to blame for your car accident. Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. Therefore, if you are also to blame for your accident, the compensation you recover from the other party will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. But you won’t be barred from recovering compensation.
Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
You are not obligated to retain a lawyer after a car accident, but it is advisable that you hire one. An attorney can help you file a claim against the negligent party, determine and prove liability, calculate damages, and negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you were in a car accident that was not your fault, our Tampa personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are here for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Ocala, and Daytona Beach areas.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html
