Our case evaluation is free, and there is no obligation. Let us take care of your legal matters so that you can focus on your health.
Thousands of People Suffer Car Accident Injuries Every Year in the Fort Pierce Area
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were more than 3,000 injuries and 50 fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents in St. Lucie County in 2021. If you suffered injuries in an accident on United States Route 1, Florida’s Turnpike, Kings Highway, or another roadway in or around Fort Pierce, we can help. We assist with a variety of vehicle accident cases, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Accidents caused by a drunk driver
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipe or “t-bone” accidents
- Collisions involving a hit and run driver
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Single or multi-vehicle collisions
Compensation for a Car Accident in Fort Pierce, FL
We cannot say how much compensation you might receive for your losses because each case is different. The amount of damages you might recover will depend on the facts of your claim, such as your age, your injuries, and the length of your recovery. You might receive a different amount than someone else who was riding in the car with you.
Here are some of the types of damages we have helped people collect:
Medical Expenses
Under Florida law, you can get compensation for the reasonable treatment you needed because of the crash. These damages can include things like ambulance transportation, emergency room fees, hospital stays, surgery, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.
Lost Wages
Our lawyers can seek compensation to help replace the pay you missed because of the wreck. This category can include wages, salaries, self-employment, and other forms of income.
Rehabilitation Center
We can seek the cost of physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and rehabilitation services if catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage or a traumatic brain injury require extended treatment at a specialized care facility.
Long-term Care
If you need daily assistance with medical treatment and personal care because of devastating injuries, we can recover long-term nursing and in-home health care expenses and lifecare costs.
Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from being able to make as much money as you could before the collision, our lawyers can seek compensation for the loss of your earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering includes monetary awards for the physical discomfort and emotional distress you experienced because of the wreck and other intangible losses, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Wrongful Death
If your close relative died because of injuries from a car accident, you may qualify for compensation for their medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and your loss of consortium or parental guidance.
What You Should Do After a Car Accident in Fort Pierce, FL
Every situation is unique, and you should do what makes sense in your circumstances. Here are some suggestions of things that might be helpful after a car accident in Fort Pierce, FL:
Medical Attention
One of the first things you should do after a car crash is get medical treatment. Even if you do not yet notice any problems, the adrenaline of the moment might be interfering with your body’s perception of symptoms. You should get checked out at your doctor’s office, an urgent care center, or emergency room, depending on your condition.
Some types of injuries do not show signs immediately, even though you could have significant harm. For example, spinal injuries do not always have noticeable indications at first. At first, you may be able to move normally with a spinal injury; however, it can cause paralysis or even death if you move your body in certain ways.
Also, some other injuries, like internal bleeding, do not always have noticeable symptoms. You could be in critical condition by the time you realize what is happening. You should always get a physical examination after a significant car accident.
Vital Evidence
Your medical records will be some of the most valuable evidence in your case. These records will link your injury to the crash. Your medical file can also establish the extent of your injuries. It is imperative that you seek medical treatment right away after a collision. If you wait, the insurance company will likely claim that your injuries came from some other event and not the wreck.
Legal Help
You should talk with a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, as soon as possible. Our state has deadlines for taking legal action for damages, and if you miss the deadline, the law can prevent you from ever seeking compensation for your losses. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit and two years to file a wrongful death action.
Also, the insurance company will gear up right away to defend against your injury claim, and you do not want to give them much of a head start. Nor do you want to wait until the statute of limitations expires. While this law does not strictly apply to insurance claims, an expired statute will likely work against you during settlement negotiations.
Although the law does not require you to have a lawyer help you with your car accident injury case, it can be a good idea to do so. Since there will be an entire team of professionals on the defendant’s side trying to pay you as little money as possible, injury claims should not be DIY projects.
Accident Claim Pitfalls
A lawyer can help you avoid some of the many pitfalls of dealing with insurance companies. Once we take on a case, the insurance company is not supposed to contact you directly. If they do, tell them to talk to your lawyer.
The insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to investigate the case. The adjuster will either deny your claim or try to pay you the least amount of compensation they think you will accept.
One of the things the adjuster will likely do is ask you to give a recorded statement. If the adjuster asks you to do this, have him talk to our Fort Pierce car accident lawyers instead. Recorded statements benefit the defendant, not you. The insurance company can take your words out of context to try to devalue your claim.
Florida’s No-Fault System Can Affect Your Car Accident Case
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system. This means that drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for medical treatment resulting from a car accident. PIP covers 80 percent of necessary treatment, regardless of liability for the crash. However, you must seek initial medical care within 14 days of your accident, according to Florida Statutes § 627.736(a).
You can step outside the no-fault system and seek damages from the at-fault driver if you have severe injuries or your medical costs exceed your PIP. If you qualify, you can seek compensation through a bodily injury liability claim, property damage liability claim, or personal injury lawsuit.
To secure compensation from another driver, either through an insurance settlement or legal action, you must prove their negligent behavior caused your car accident and resulting injuries. Examples of negligence behind the wheel include:
- Running stop lights and stop signs
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Texting and driving
- Aggressive driving or “road rage”
- Drinking and driving
- Making an improper turn
- Illegal passing or lane changes
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
Our Fort Pierce car accident attorneys can build your case and help you pursue the compensation you need to pay for your damages without disrupting your finances. This includes helping you with PIP claims and action against liable parties.
How We Can Help with Your Fort Pierce, FL, Car Accident Claim
When we take on a car accident injury claim in Fort Pierce, FL, we perform an investigation of the crash. We will gather and analyze the evidence, like the police report, eyewitness statements, photographs, available video footage, and your medical records. We may enlist the help of crash reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists who can interpret evidence and testify on your behalf.
Our car accident lawyers will calculate a fair settlement amount to compensate you for your losses. We will negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf so that you do not have to. If necessary, we will not back down from taking legal action to get the settlement or verdict you deserve.
We handle car accident injury cases on a contingent fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay us any upfront legal fees. Our fees will come out of the settlement or award at the end of the case. When we take care of your legal matters, you can focus on getting well and rebuilding your life after your personal injury.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
Since 2006, we have helped thousands of clients across Florida secure compensation for their injuries. We can fight for you, too. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
