Florida can be a dangerous place to drive. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in the state in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This total was an 18 percent increase from 2014. On average, Florida roads are more dangerous than other U.S. highways.
Even if a car accident doesn’t cause a fatality, victims still face other severe consequences. If you were in a car crash, you may have suffered severe injuries with long-term implications. These injuries often require expensive medical treatment and cause significant missed time at work.
The attorneys at the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help you recoup these costs. If another driver’s careless, reckless behavior caused the collision, we can hold them financially responsible for the damage.
We offer free case evaluations to car crash victims, so contact us today. Call 800-747-3733 to schedule a meeting with a car accident lawyer in Punta Gorda.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Florida?
Get Medical Attention
If you have not already done so, get medical care for your injuries. Since some injuries do not show up immediately, it is always a good idea go to your doctor, an urgent care center, or an emergency room to get checked out if you were in a car crash. Doctors receive training in how to detect injuries from wrecks.
Spinal, soft tissue, and internal injuries are not always evident at the scene of the accident. Internal injuries can be fatal if they are not treated quickly. Untreated spinal or soft tissue injuries can develop complications. Even if the doctors do not find any injuries, you should get re-evaluated at once if you develop pain, lethargy, or any other symptoms in the days following an accident.
After your medical evaluation, follow your doctor’s orders exactly. If you do not, it may complicate your injury claim. The insurance company may argue that you contributed to your injuries by failing to take proper care of them.
When you suffer injuries, you have a legal duty to mitigate your damages. This concept means that you have a duty to lessen the amount of your injuries and to achieve the best possible recuperation. That is why you must always complete the treatments your doctor orders, even if doing so is inconvenient.
Get Legal Help
If someone else caused the accident, you should talk to one of our lawyers as soon as possible. We need to work fast to establish the other driver in your wreck acted negligently and caused your wreck.
Once the other driver’s insurance company knows about the wreck, they will move quickly. You need someone to step in and advise you, so you do not get tricked into diminishing the value of your claim. We will investigate the accident and collect the evidence needed to prove your claim. Some evidence is only available for a short time, so delay in getting a lawyer can hurt your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident?
If you experienced injuries from a crash that was not your fault, you can get compensation for your losses. Our lawyers will fight to recover all of your accident-related costs.
Medical Expenses
We will calculate the total for your initial medical evaluation, treatment, therapy, prescriptions, and all other reasonable and necessary treatment for injuries from the wreck. We will also include the cost of any ongoing or future medical treatment. We will include the full amount of your medical expenses in our request for damages.
Lost Wages
You may also recover damages for the time you missed work because of your injuries. This category includes time lost for medical treatments, therapy, and recuperation.
Disfigurement or Disability
If you suffered disfigurement or long-term impairment as a result of your injuries, we can help you seek additional compensation.
Loss of Earning Potential
If your injuries have lessened your income potential or forced you to follow a different career path, we can request compensation for this.
Pain and Suffering
The mere payment of your medical bills and lost wages would not cover the pain and emotional distress you endured. Intangible damages like pain and suffering compensate you for the emotional toll of what you endured.
Property Damage
We will also request compensation to cover any repairs to your car and personal items damaged in the crash.
Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes. Florida is a pure comparative fault state. Pure comparative fault means that you can recover your damages, as long as someone else was at least 1 percent at fault. You will receive a reduced amount of your compensation based on your level of fault in the crash.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Handle My Claim?
After a crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will try to reach you as soon as possible. They may ask you to give a recorded statement, accept a cheap settlement, and sign away your rights to further compensation. The insurance company is just doing its job, which is to settle claims for as little money as possible. It is not their job to make sure you receive fair treatment or that you get the compensation you deserve for your damages.
Our lawyers will protect you from the insurance company’s tactics, make sure you do not give up your rights, and fight to get you all the compensation you deserve. We can offer our expert legal advice before you sign anything or give a written or recorded statement to the insurance company in your case.
How Will the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine Handle My Case?
We will investigate the crash and make a determination of fault. After we collect and analyze the evidence, we will calculate a fair settlement amount to compensate you for your damages, including pain and suffering. Next, we will negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf, handling all the documents and agreements.
We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not pay us any legal fees unless there is a recovery. We will meet with you and provide you a case evaluation, free of charge. Call the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine today at 800-747-3733 to schedule your no-obligation consultation and case evaluation.
We Can Help.
