According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 394,865 accidents occurred in Florida in 2023, resulting in 3,405 fatalities and 252,240 injuries. These accidents could have resulted in personal injury claims, but not all injured victims will walk away from an accident with a fair settlement.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, you need a car accident lawyer who can demand the financial compensation you are owed. The Vero Beach, FL car accident lawyers at Gould Cooksey Fennell Law Firm are here to help you with every aspect of the car accident claim process. Call us today for a free consultation.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
To understand whether you need a lawyer, you first need to understand what car accident injury lawyers do. Their job is multifaceted and involves the following:
Investigating the Accident
It is not unusual for the drivers involved in a car accident to have very different versions of how the accident happened. Car accident lawyers can investigate the case to determine fault and establish your compensation claim.
Investigating the accident may involve:
- Reviewing police reports
- Interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining medical records
- Accessing photographs and videos of the accident
- Reviewing other available evidence
- Sending formal discovery requests, such as subpoenas, to obtain additional evidence
Identifying Damages You Can Recover
Car accident victims may not understand the actual value of their case. They may not realize the long-term impact of their car accident injuries.
Experienced lawyers can account for all of your accident-related injuries and losses, including:
- Medical bills you have already incurred for emergency medical treatment
- Ongoing medical expenses
- Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation, therapy, and long-term medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anguish
- Lost enjoyment of life
Knowing all the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to can help injury attorneys demand the compensation you deserve.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be daunting. Insurance adjusters are trained to deny or minimize personal injury claims effectively. Insurance companies may use various tactics, such as blaming the victim, blaming a third party, fishing for information to use against the victim, or looking for any plausible way to deny claims.
When you have proper legal representation, your rights will be protected when dealing with insurance companies. Experienced personal injury attorneys are familiar with insurance company tactics. They can handle communication with the insurance company and shield you from the companies that are only trying to prevent you from getting the financial compensation you deserve.
Negotiating Fair Compensation
Personal injury lawyers are seasoned negotiators. They work on these types of cases regularly, so they know how much they are worth and effective ways of convincing the insurance company to agree to a fair settlement.
Managing Your Claim
Your lawyer can handle all aspects of your case, including managing claim paperwork and legal deadlines. If it becomes necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer can ensure it is filed within the two-year statute of limitations.
Why Canโt I Handle My Car Accident Case on My Own?
While no law requires you to hire a lawyer after a car accident, car accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve. Some of the attributes that car accident lawyers have that the average claimant does not include:
- Legal expertise – Personal injury lawyers have experience with the personal injury claims process. They understand the rules of evidence and civil procedure and how they apply to your case so they can develop the most effective legal strategy for your case.
- Knowledge of the law – Car accident lawyers understand the legal system and the laws that apply to these cases so they can fight for a favorable outcome in your case. If you are being unfairly blamed for the accident, a lawyer can safeguard your rights and protect you from personal liability.
- Focus – Car accident victims may be dealing with serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or other painful injuries. It can be difficult for them to deal with these injuries and a legal claim at the same time. Personal injury attorneys can focus on your case to help you recover compensation.
- Resources – Personal injury claims can be expensive. There may be fees for medical records retrieval, car accident reports, and discovery requests. If your case goes to trial, it may be necessary to hire expert witnesses. A well-established law firm can handle these fees.
Many victims feel peace of mind after hiring an experienced lawyer to help with their case. They can focus on their recovery while their lawyer handles all aspects of the case. Recovering from a car accident can be challenging, but having a trusted legal counsel on your side can provide you with a sense of relief.
Advantages of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Some of the reasons you want to hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible are:
Your Injuries Can Be Properly Diagnosed and Treated
Your health is the top priority after a car crash. Your lawyer can ensure that you seek prompt medical assistance. Not all car accident injuries are immediately apparent, but a lawyer can refer you to appropriate medical providers to ensure your injuries are properly diagnosed. Insurance companies will try to use any delay in treatment against you, so seeking prompt medical care is essential to protecting your car accident claim.
Once you begin medical treatment, your lawyer can keep your medical records to aid in your legal claim. They can also work with your medical providers so they understand the full impact of your injuries. Your lawyer will try to lay a solid foundation for you to be fairly paid for your medical costs, now and in the future.
Your Lawyer Can Preserve Evidence
The sooner you involve a car accident lawyer, the sooner they can take steps to preserve evidence in your case. Evidence can be lost or destroyed without prompt action.
For example, vehicles today often have event data recorders that log essential information such as speed, braking patterns, and travel direction immediately before a collision. Traffic cameras and surveillance cameras may have videos of the accident. Your lawyer can take the steps necessary to preserve this vital evidence.
You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes
Hiring a car accident attorney quickly can help you avoid making costly mistakes that can jeopardize your claim. An experienced lawyer can help you avoid mistakes, such as:
- Admitting fault for the accident
- Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company
- Failing to seek medical treatment promptly
- Deleting evidence
- Making posts against your interest on social media
Your Lawyer Can Take Timely Legal Action
Your lawyer can ensure that you take timely legal action in your case before the expiration of the statute of limitations. They can also ensure you seek prompt medical treatment and submit your claims for your PIP coverage.
Signs You Need to Hire a Car Accident Attorney
While you can contact a car accident lawyer after any collision, even minor accidents, there are certain situations where you simply should not risk trying to handle your case alone. These include:
- You suffered serious injuries – If you suffered catastrophic injuries, life-threatening injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other severe injuries, you should hire a car accident attorney immediately. You may be facing a lifetime of permanent disabilities and consequences, so you need qualified legal assistance to fight for the compensation you will need to cover your future medical expenses, lost income, and other losses.
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured – An experienced lawyer can evaluate all insurance policies that apply and identify all potential sources of compensation.
- Multiple parties are involved – When multiple drivers may be at fault for the accident, they may play the blame game. A legal professional can sort through these complex claims, conduct a thorough investigation, and negotiate with the various parties involved in the case.
- Fault is disputed – If you have suffered a serious injury, you can step outside the no-fault state rules to seek compensation for the full extent of your injuries. But if the other driver claims they are not at fault, you will need legal assistance to prove they are.
- A government vehicle was involved – Claims against the government involve special procedures and filing deadlines.
Can You Afford an Accident Lawyer?
Many car accident victims are concerned that they cannot afford an attorney. However, personal injury lawyers generally take cases on a contingency-fee basis. Under this fee agreement, you do not have to pay anything until the claim is settled or a verdict is reached.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer During the Accident Claim Process?
While you can contact a lawyer at any point during the car accident claim process, there are advantages to contacting one early on. You do not want to engage with the insurance company or say anything that can harm your claim. By having your lawyer manage these communications, you can protect your claim. Insurance companies want to get information from you that they can use to deny or reduce the value of your claim, but experienced lawyers can safeguard your rights. Because we offer a free case review, you can contact us at no risk or obligation from you.
What If Iโm Partially at Fault for the Car Accident?
Even if you are partially at fault for the car accident, you should still contact a car accident lawyer. Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system, so you can still file a car accident claim as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. A lawyer can still pursue the compensation you are eligible to receive and fight to minimize the degree of fault apportioned to you.
What Can I Do to Help My Lawyer After an Accident?
There are steps that you can take to assist your lawyer throughout the process, including:
Following Your Doctorโs Orders
Your doctor may instruct you to stay out of work and limit strenuous activity. By following these directions, you are showing that you take your health seriously and are not doing anything to harm yourself.
Responding to Communications
Car accident claims are document-intensive. Your lawyer may need additional information or evidence from you. Respond promptly to these requests.
Keeping Solid Records
Keep all records related to your accident organized and in a safe place. Records you may accumulate might include:
- Medical records and bills
- Vehicle repair reports and rental car receipts
- Pay stubs and documentation from your employer indicating your lost income
- Communications from the insurance company
- Journal entries indicating your daily pain, symptoms, and other negative effects you are experiencing related to the accident
Listening to Their Advice
Your lawyer will give you advice intended to maximize compensation and protect your rights. This can include not talking to the insurance company, following your doctorโs orders, and staying off social media while your case is pending. Follow this advice.
Contact Our Accident Lawyers for Immediate Legal Assistance
Whether you have suffered minor injuries or severe ones in a car accident, consider working with an experienced car accident lawyer. Even if your car accident claim seems relatively simple, it can quickly become anything but. An experienced car accident lawyer can properly address all legal aspects of your claim and advise you of your legal rights and options throughout the process. Contact Gould Cooksey Fennell Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Related: Florida 14-Day Accident Laws