Should I Get A Car Accident Lawyer For A Florida Car Accident That Was Not My Fault?
If you were involved in a Florida car accident that was someone else’s fault, you might be considering not hiring a lawyer because you believe everything will go well. Before you decide to handle your case alone, keep in mind that you need to prove negligence on the defendant’s part, and proving negligence is not always as easy as you think it is. Also, remember you need to deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company. A car accident lawyer can help you prove negligence and negotiate with the insurance company.
Proving Negligence
Firstly, an attorney can help you prove the defendant owed you a duty of care. Secondly, an experienced attorney can help you prove a breach of that duty. Thirdly, you need a lawyer to help you prove that you suffered injuries and damages. Lastly, an attorney can also help you prove that the defendant’s breach of duty of care is what caused you to suffer the injury and damages.
If you try handling your case alone, you might have trouble proving these four main elements of negligence. For instance, you might experience difficulty proving how the defendant breached their duty of care. You need evidence to prove a breach of duty of care, and an attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence. For example, an attorney can help you obtain the police report that was written after your accident. A police report can help you prove how or why an accident occurred. For example, suppose the at-fault party ran a red light before hitting you. You might find such information in the police report.
You might be wondering, “What if a police report apportions me a percentage of blame?” In such a case, you will not have to worry if you have an attorney by your side. This is because your attorney can make a case against the police officer’s findings.
Other things that a car accident attorney may do to help you prove negligence on the defendant’s part include;
- Gathering witness testimonies
- Finding an expert witness to help with your case
- Speaking to your physician to understand your medical history and get your medical records
- Involving an accident reconstruction specialist
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
Even if you are sure that you did not play a part in causing your car accident, you need an attorney to help you with the negotiations. The defendant’s insurance company might try to trick you into taking a low settlement offer. An experienced car accident attorney can ensure that you only agree to a settlement amount that will cover the full extent of your injuries and damages. If, for example, your doctor says you will incur future medical expenses, an attorney can ensure you are compensated for those expenses even if you still haven’t incurred them.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Even if a car accident was not your fault, you still need to focus on your health. An attorney can help you do that. A car accident attorney can focus on the legal complexities of your case while you concentrate on healing. Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are ready to deal with the legal complexities of your Florida car accident case while you focus on your health. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Tampa, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville areas.
