Car accident injuries are far from rare in Bonita Springs, Florida. Lee County, where Bonita Springs is located, suffered 15,451 crashes in 2023, which led to 8,723 injuries and 122 deaths.
Many Bonita Springs car accident victims are, fortunately, entitled to compensation through a claim or lawsuit for the pain and suffering they endured.
Follow this guide to learn more about how to file a car accident claim in Bonita Springs, legal processes and laws that may factor into your case, and how a car accident personal injury lawyer can help you.
Florin Roebig has triple board-certified attorneys specializing in Bonita springs car accident claims, that are able to navigate that complicated world of insurance companies who want to pay as little as possible.
What To Know About Bonita Springs Car Accident Claims
Auto accidents that happen in Bonita Springs are subject to the laws of the state of Florida and Lee County. For most car accidents in the beach-side city, that means paying special attention to certain policies.
Bonita Springs Follows No-Fault Laws
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that, in most crashes, your insurance provider covers your injuries, property damage, and other expenses no matter who was at fault for the accident.
Triple board certified attorney Tommy D. Roebig says,
“No-fault insurance covers a limited amount monetarily and in terms of what you can be compensated for. For example, you can’t receive compensation for pain and suffering. To file a claim against the liable person’s insurance company or file a lawsuit in Florida, your accident injuries have to be pretty serious and meet certain requirements.”
Bonita Springs Statute of Limitations
If you do qualify to file a lawsuit, the Statute of Limitations in Florida limits your time to file to 2 years from the time the accident happened (this applies to accidents that occurred on March 24, 2023, or later).
Bonita Springs Recognizes Comparative Negligence
Accidents in Bonita Springs fall under Florida’s comparative negligence standards. Comparative negligence laws state that all parties in an accident can be held partially responsible for that accident.
If you are found to be partially at fault, the court will calculate the total amount of damages you are owed and then take away a percentage based on how much you were judged to be at fault. So if you’re deemed to be 25% at fault (let’s say because you were speeding) and you were awarded $100,000 in damages, that means you’ll be awarded $75,000.
What Causes Car Accidents in Bonita Springs, FL?
Nestled in southwest Florida, Bonita Springs boasts some of the most stunning beaches on the Gulf Coast, but those beaches attract a surge of tourists and snowbirds in the colder months, leading to many car accidents.
Some unique challenges that may contribute to Bonita Springs car accidents include:
- Seasonal traffic congestion: In the winter, Bonita Springs gets a lot of snowbirds coming to escape the cold, leading to much higher levels of traffic.
- Tourist Season: Peak tourist season in the winter only adds to the crowds, increasing traffic.
- Limited Public Transportation: Cars are usually a necessity for residents and tourists alike in Bonita Springs because the city has limited public transportation options. This increases the amount of cars on the road.
- Weather Risks: Bonita Springs is a coastal area, which makes it more vulnerable to Florida’s infamous hurricanes and tropical storms. During hurricane season, traffic can be tricky due to high winds, flooding, poor visibility, debris on the roads, or large amounts of traffic trying to evacuate the area at once.
Whether it’s the height of tourist season or hurricane season, if you do find yourself in a car accident in Bonita Springs, filing a car accident claim can help you recover some of the losses you’ve suffered.
Bonita Springs Auto Accident Rates
Residents of Bonita Springs in Lee County, Florida are losing patience with reckless driving and the toll it takes on all those affected. In the last three years, the rate of drug & alcohol-confirmed accidents continues to rise in Bonita Springs and Lee County. The following accident statistics were reported in Lee County, Florida in 2020:
- 11,644 car accidents occurred in Lee County.
- 7,028 injuries and 614 of those were involved in hit-and-run accidents.
- 107 people lost their lives, including 22 pedestrians.
- 41 fatalities resulted from accidents involving drivers who were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
- according to AAA Foundations for Traffic Safety, young people are 6x more like to be involved in a fatal crash than other drivers on the road. This is particularly concerning statistic for parents of young drivers in Bonita Springs and across the state of Florida.
Bonita Springs Worst Intersections
Here are the four most dangerous intersections in Bonita Springs and why. If you’re a resident or commuter in the area, it is recommended to avoid these roadways, or proceed with caution:
- Imperial Parkway and Old 41 Road: This intersection has a high accident rate due to the number of cars passing through on Imperial Parkway, as well as frustrated drivers trying to merge onto Old41 Road.
- Old 41 Road and Terry Street: This intersection involving the roundabout prone to congestion due to frequent accidents involving aggressive and/or distracted drivers.
- US-41 and Progresso Drive: This intersection has a high car accident rate due to the heavy traffic on US-41 and the multiple turn lanes that intersect to make for a chaotic intersection.
- Bonita Beach Road and US-41: The congested traffic and the long waits that often accompany left turns from Bonita Beach Rd onto US-41.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
If you suffered injuries and/or property damage in an accident, you’ll likely need to file an insurance claim. Most car accident claims in Bonita Springs follow the same basic process.
- Document injuries and damages: Take pictures of any injuries, damage to your vehicle, and the accident scene. If you were hurt, see a medical professional promptly; this can provide an official record of your injuries. Florida insurance companies also require you to see a medical professional within 14 days to file a claim for injuries.
- File a police report: Call the cops as soon as possible after an accident. They will file a police report, which the Lee County court will give anyone involved in the accident a free copy of.
- Notify insurance companies: Most car insurance companies require you to tell them as soon as possible that you were involved in a crash. They may also pay for some of your damages.
- Gather evidence: Important evidence may include pictures of your injuries and the crash, witness contact information, cameras that may have recorded the crash, and, later, medical bills.
- Seek legal advice: Reach out to an attorney, especially if you were injured in the accident and you believe someone else was at fault. An experienced lawyer can tell you whether filing a claim or lawsuit outside of the no-fault system is an option, explain what compensation you may be entitled to, and guide you through the claim-filing process.
Bonita Springs Laws For Car Accident Cases
Bonita Springs, Florida follows the laws of the state of Florida. Local Lee County laws may also factor into car accident cases.
Fault Determination Rules
Car accident cases in Bonita Springs usually determine fault based on negligence. This means if a driver failed to exercise reasonable care in a way that directly contributed to an accident, they are at fault.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
Under Florida’s no-fault system, anyone who registers a car in Florida must have two types of car insurance coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers 80% (up to $10,000) of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses for an injury covered under the plan.
- Personal Damage Liability (PDL): PDL covers $10,000 of someone else’s vehicle or property damage in an accident.
If your injuries meet the requirements, you can seek more compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The No-Fault System
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that not just anyone harmed in a car accident can seek compensation against the at-fault driver’s insurance company (called a third-party claim). Under Florida law, after a car accident, you must look to your own insurance to cover your damages no matter who was at fault for the accident.
In order to file a third-party claim or a lawsuit, your Bonita Springs accident injuries must be more lasting and serious.
The following types of injuries qualify you or a loved one to file a claim outside the no-fault system:
- Permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
Victims of car accident injuries in Bonita Springs usually seek legal compensation for their losses in three major ways:
- First-party personal injury claims: You turn to your own insurance company to cover medical bills and related expenses like lost income. This is standard for less serious accidents under Florida’s no-fault system and to help cover immediate expenses if you’re seriously injured.
- Third-party personal injury claims: This is where you seek compensation from the liable party’s insurance company because the accident seriously harmed you. If you can agree on an amount, your claim will end in a settlement, which outlines how much compensation you’ll receive from the third-party insurer.
- Personal injury lawsuits: If you can’t agree on a settlement, you’ll need to file a lawsuit with the court. A judge or jury will decide if the other party was liable for your injuries and award you compensation based on how badly you were harmed.
Fault In Car Accidents
In Bonita Springs, someone is at fault if it’s determined that their behavior was the main cause of the accident.
Factors that might help determine fault include:
- Negligence: Was the driver doing something careless or in bad judgment?
- Traffic violations: Did the driver break any laws like speeding or running a red light?
- Reckless driving: Was the driver driving with complete disregard for the safety of others or their property, such as weaving in and out of traffic without paying attention?
Due to Florida’s comparative negligence system, both parties in a Bonita Springs car accident case can be found at fault to some degree. If you’re more than 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot collect damages in court. This also applies to personal injury claim settlements since claims adjusters base their payments on what would likely happen in a court case.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability isn’t quite the same as being at fault. Liability describes who’s legally responsible for compensating someone who was hurt in an accident. The driver at fault in a car accident is usually liable for your damages, which they generally cover with their own insurance.
3 types of liability often apply in Bonita Springs car accident cases:
- Negligence: When someone acts carelessly or without good judgment. For example, if one driver rear-ends another because they were fiddling with their radio instead of watching the road.
- Strict liability: When someone is legally responsible for an injury regardless of how careful they were or their intentions. In car accidents, this often applies to manufacturers’ defective products. For example, someone may get seriously hurt because their airbag didn’t deploy during a crash.
- Vicarious liability: This is when someone else is legally responsible for another person’s behavior. For example, a business or government agency may be vicariously liable for a car crash caused by an on-the-job employee.
A Bonita Springs car accident case usually determines who’s liable based on whether or not there was negligence involved on one or both sides. If someone was injured but found to be more than 50% liable in a case, they may not be able to get compensation from the other party.
Consideration Of Negligence and Degree Of Fault
If you’re found partially negligent in a Bonita Springs car accident, it will reduce the total compensation you’re given by the percentage of negligence you’re assigned and may even cost you your compensation altogether.
Some legal strategies and considerations used include:
- Gathering Evidence: Your lawyer will know what kind of evidence you need to provide to make a strong case and can help provide camera footage, witness statements, expert opinions, and more.
- Showing Negligence: A good lawyer will show that the other party was negligent by outlining specific actions or failures to act that contributed to the accident.
- Demonstrating Causation: Your lawyer should also explicitly show how the other party’s negligence caused your injuries or damages.
- Documenting Damages: You’ll need to prove that you’ve suffered the losses you claim you did by providing evidence of medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, etc.
The best Bonita Springs car accident lawyers will do their utmost to prove the other driver’s fault and get you all the compensation you deserve.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
A car accident can have a devastating effect on the lives of those involved physically, financially, and emotionally.
Some common losses include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with one’s spouse
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
While recovering from a car accident is often a long, difficult journey, both public and private resources and support are available for accident victims in Bonita Springs.
Look for resources in your area, including:
- Emergency Services
- Medical Care Providers
- Therapy and car accident support groups
- Victim Advocacy Services
- Insurance Companies
- Government Agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident attorneys
If you’re not sure what your legal options are, seeking the assistance of experienced personal injury attorneys is a good way to get your bearings and start taking control of your life again. Legal experts can help you determine what your options are for compensation and help you receive that compensation.
Florin|Roebig has over 30 years of experience helping car accident victims across Florida get proper compensation for the harm done to them, with an average amount of over $1 Million for their clients. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Bonita Springs
Car accidents can feel overwhelming during and directly after they occur, especially if you’re injured, but following some best practices can help your recovery process as well as your claims process.
After a car accident in Bonita Springs:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention if needed: First and foremost, make sure you’re okay and out of harm’s way. If you feel pain, it’s best to seek professional medical attention immediately.
- Contact law enforcement: In Bonita Springs, you’re generally required to call the police for any crash where someone is injured or killed or where there’s over $500 in property damage. The cops will file a police report, which can serve as vital evidence if you file a third-party claim or lawsuit later.
- Gather information: Get the contact information of anyone else involved in the crash as well as any witnesses.
- Document the scene: Take pictures of your injuries, damage to your car, and the scene of the accident if you can.
The more of these best practices you can follow, the stronger your personal injury case may be down the line.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Florin|Roebig Bonita Springs car accident lawyers are here to help victims of auto accidents get the compensation they deserve.
They offer several legal services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
Florin|Roebig attorneys have been setting records across Florida for the verdicts and settlements won for their clients, with over $1 Billion in results. If you’ve been injured in a Bonita Springs car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation.
Practical Advice for After a Car Accident
Living in the aftermath of a car accident can be one of the most difficult things you’ve ever done.
Here are a few practical tips and advice for individuals navigating the aftermath of a car accident in Bonita Springs:
- Dealing with insurance companies:
Tommy D. Roebig says, “Insurance companies have an interest in paying as little as possible when accidents happen.They may try to offer you far less than your injuries warrant or deny your claim altogether. Reach out to a lawyer to get a better idea of how much you should expect from your car accident claim and for help getting the insurance company to come to the table.”
- Protecting legal rights: Do not admit fault or apologize after a car accident. The other party may try to use this to deny your claim or even blame you for the accident. Speak to a lawyer as soon as you can to get a better idea of whether you’re at fault for an accident.
- Managing medical expenses: Don’t hesitate to get the medical care you need as soon as possible. It may prevent far worse injuries. In Florida, PIP insurance can often be accessed fairly quickly to cover some expenses. Additional medical bills can be postponed while you heal and seek further compensation.
- Preserving evidence: Take photos at the scene of the accident if you can and try to keep everything that might be relevant to your case in one place for easy reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up an accident report in Lee County, Florida?
You can request a crash report at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office website (https://www.sheriffleefl.org/records/). You can also visit Central Records at Lee County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters. If you were involved in the crash, they’ll print you a free copy of the report.
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Bonita Springs?
Most accident attorneys like those at Florin|Roebig charge on a contingency basis, taking around 33% of your settlement or trial winnings. They won’t charge if you don’t get any compensation.
Should I hire an attorney after a car accident in Bonita Springs?
It’s always worth reaching out to an attorney after a car accident. Law firms like Florin|Roebig offer free case evaluations so you can learn how to move forward with your case and whether it makes sense to hire an attorney.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Bonita Springs
Having representation and guidance from an attorney for your car accident case will increase your chances of getting fair compensation in or out of court.
At Florin|Roebig, we have a long record of success in representing auto accident victims across the state of Florida.
For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America.”
Some of our car accident lawyers who serve Bonita Springs include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G Esposito
If you are interested in seeking advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
- Or you can reach us at one of the offices near you below:
Palm Harbor Office
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Palm Beach Office
777 S. Flagler Drive
Suite 800
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Get Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
To maximize your chances of filing a successful claim, you need representation from an experienced car accident attorney. With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
If you or a loved one are thinking about filing a car accident claim in Bonita Springs, please reach out to the experts at the law offices of Florin|Roebig for the legal counsel and representation you need. Contact our personal injury law firm for a confidential free consultation today.
