Car accidents happen frequently in Boynton Beach, Florida. In Palm Beach County, where the city is located, there were 26,237 crashes in 2023, which caused 16,243 injuries and 181 deaths. These crashes can result in lasting injuries, financial strain, and other hardships.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Boynton Beach, you have rights that can help you recover. Filing a car accident personal injury claim or lawsuit may provide compensation that will help you cover your medical bills, manage disabilities, and heal from other harm that resulted from the motor vehicle accident.
Read on to learn more about how to file a car accident claim in Boynton Beach, what to look out for, and how the award-winning car accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig can help.
What To Know About Boynton Beach Car Accident Claims
If you were harmed in a car accident in Boynton Beach, you may be entitled to compensation. But filing a claim usually isn’t straightforward thanks to several laws and regulations specific to car accidents in this area.
Insurance Requirements
Boynton Beach is subject to the laws of Florida, which is a no-fault state. This means that everyone who registers a vehicle in the state must have insurance. In the case of an accident, each driver turns to their own insurance company to take care of medical bills and car repairs regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
In Boynton Beach, you can only file a car accident claim against the other driver’s insurance company if your injuries meet certain requirements.
Statute of Limitations
The Statute of Limitations is the time you have to file a car accident personal injury lawsuit in court. Throughout Florida, drivers typically have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damages related to a car accident.
Comparative Negligence Standards
Florida courts recognize a term known as modified comparative negligence. This means that both drivers involved in a crash can be partially responsible for the accident. For example, if you were driving with one headlight out, you might be deemed 25% responsible for the collision and your resulting injuries.
Under comparative negligence standards, all of your damages are added up and then the percentage you’re found liable is taken from the total. So if you were awarded $100,000 in damages but found 25% negligent, you would get $75,000.
If you’re found to be more than 50% liable for a crash, you cannot collect any damages.
What Causes Car Accidents in Boynton Beach?
Not even half an hour’s drive from West Palm Beach and Delray Beach, Boynton Beach is known for its own stunning beaches and comparatively laid-back vibe among the cities of Palm Beach County. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its fair share of car accidents.
Common Boynton Beach-specific car accident risks include:
- Traffic congestion during peak tourist season: Thousands of tourists flock to Boynton Beach and nearby areas to soak up the sun at destinations like Ocean Inlet Park, especially during the winter and early spring. This causes a sudden surge in traffic, which leads to more accidents.
- Hurricane season: Located on the southeast tip of Florida, Boynton Beach is especially at risk of suffering devastating hurricane and tropical storm damage. Car accident risks may also increase, with the storms causing high winds, low visibility, road debris, and high traffic as people attempt to leave the area. This risk peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Dangerous Intersections: Dangerous road conditions and heavily trafficked intersections in Boynton Beach, Florida can also add to driver woes. Boynton Beach experiences moderate congestion during peak hours on major roadways like Interstate 95 (I-95) and Federal Highway (US-1).
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Whether you’re filing a claim with your own insurance company or with another driver’s insurer, you’ll likely follow a few basic steps in Boynton Beach, Florida.
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- Document injuries and damages: After an accident, get to safety and have your injuries treated, but also, if you’re able, take photos of your injuries, your damaged vehicle, and the accident scene. Keep hold of any medical records as well; Florida insurance companies require you to see a medical professional within 14 days to receive compensation for your injuries.
- File a police report: Make sure you notify the police. The cops will file a police report, which you’re entitled to get a free copy of as someone involved in the accident.
- Notify insurance companies: Make sure your car insurance company knows as soon as possible that you were involved in a crash. This is usually required in your policy. Your insurance may also cover some of your crash-related expenses.
- Gather evidence: Collect any evidence you were able to get at the scene of the crash along with additional evidence like medical documents and the crash report. Keep everything in one place.
- Seek legal advice: If you’re uncertain about some aspect of your accident or how to proceed, contacting an attorney for a free case review can only help. An experienced lawyer can guide you on what to do next.
“Contacting an attorney early in the claim-filing process can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows about how much compensation you can expect and how to draft a powerful demand letter that gets insurance companies to take you seriously.”
Triple board-certified trial attorney, Tommy D. Roebig
Boynton Beach Laws For Car Accident Cases
Boynton Beach follows the laws of the state of Florida and Palm Beach County, both of which can factor into your car accident case.
Fault Determination Rules
Negligence (the failure to take proper care) is usually central to determining fault in Boynton Beach car accident cases. The at-fault driver may have been distracted, impaired, or may have ignored a local ordinance like the speed limit or other traffic rules.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
If you have a vehicle registered in Florida, you’re required to have the following 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 another driver’s vehicle or property damage in an accident if you’re at fault.
The No-fault System
Florida is a no-fault state. No-fault means that by default, each party in a car accident has to turn to their own insurance company for compensation. This is called a first-party insurance claim. In order to seek compensation from another driver’s insurance company (a third-party insurance claim), your injuries have to meet certain thresholds.
Third-party car accident claims require injuries that cause at least one of the following:
- Severe and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
Boynton Beach car accident victims have a few options for seeking compensation to help pay for medical bills, recover lost finances, and get justice for their pain and suffering.
- First-party personal injury claims: This is your first stop for compensation for medical bills and other common injury-related expenses, but first-party car accident claims cover a limited amount of money and types of losses.
- Third-party personal injury claims: If you were severely harmed in an accident that someone else caused, you’ll likely need to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, filing a third-party claim.
- Personal injury lawsuits: If you can’t agree on a reasonable settlement (an amount you’re compensated for out of court), you will need to file a lawsuit with the Palm Beach County court. If you still can’t agree on a settlement, your case will go to trial and a judge or jury will decide the case, awarding you damages (monetary compensation for your losses) if they rule in your favor.
Negotiations for any type of car accident personal injury claim can be complicated and intimidating, but hiring a good lawyer like the experienced attorneys at Florin|Roebig can help you get a much larger settlement.
Fault In Car Accidents
In Boynton Beach, the “at-fault” driver is the one held responsible for causing the accident.
Insurers and courts may use the following to determine fault:
- Negligence: Did the driver in question fail to exercise reasonable care or caution?
- Traffic violations: Did the driver break any traffic laws, such as by speeding, running a red light, or driving in the wrong lane?
- Reckless driving: Did the driver seemingly intentionally commit traffic violations, drive aggressively, or do other things that demonstrated a willful disregard for the safety of others or their property?
Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability refers to the legal responsibility of the at-fault party to compensate whoever they harmed for their injuries.
Car accident cases in Boynton Beach may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: If one party is at least 51% responsible for a car crash and was determined to be negligent, they’re usually liable for compensating the other person.
- Strict liability: Sometimes an entity like a manufacturer is considered responsible for harm regardless of their intent or negligence. In a car accident, strict liability may come into play if, say, a vehicle’s malfunction caused the accident or if a victim’s seatbelt or airbag didn’t work as intended, making their injuries worse.
- Vicarious liability: Vicarious liability refers to cases where one party is responsible for the actions of another. For example, an employer may be vicariously liable for an employee who caused a car accident while working.
“It’s important to know who’s liable if you get in a Boynton Beach car accident. The right individual or entity needs to be notified when you’re filing a personal injury claim. It could also have massive implications for compensation. An individual probably won’t be able to cover your damages as well as a business or insurance company, but a lot of people won’t realize these entities are ultimately responsible for compensating them.”
Consideration Of Negligence and Degree Of Fault
In Boynton Beach, more than one party can be considered at fault. That means that if you’re determined to be 20% at fault for an accident, you can only collect 80% of your total damages in a settlement or verdict.
As of March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which means that if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault in a crash, you can’t recover damages from the other party at all.
The best Boynton Beach car accident lawyers will do their utmost to prove the other driver is liable for your injuries by demonstrating how they were negligent, how that negligence led to the accident and caused your injuries, and by proving you were harmed to the extent you claim.
An experienced attorney will back everything up with evidence such as police reports, witness statements, accident scene photographs, medical records, and expert opinions as needed.
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Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Car accidents can cause enormous harm—not just physically and financially, but also emotionally, potentially forcing victims to deal with lasting pain and trauma and adjust to a new way of living and relating with loved ones.
Some common struggles after a car accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
Recovering after a car accident can be a challenge, but thankfully, Boynton Beach offers both public and private resources and support for accident victims in the area.
Car accident resources in Boynton Beach may include:
- Emergency services
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident personal injury attorneys
Car accident personal injury compensation exists expressly to help you recover as fully as you can after such a devastating life event. Do not hesitate to explore your legal options and seek compensation you may be entitled to. The attorneys at Florin|Roebig are standing by to answer your questions with a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Boynton Beach
After a car accident in Boynton Beach, you may be scared, shaken, and confused, but following a few best practices may make all the difference in your recovery and your car accident case.
After a car accident in Boynton Beach:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention: Before anything else, make sure you’re out of harm’s way. Move your car or yourself out of traffic if you can and seek medical attention if you’re hurt.
- Contact law enforcement: In Boynton Beach, you’re required to report a car accident if someone is hurt or there’s serious property damage. The cops will file a police report, which can serve as vital evidence in your accident case.
- Gather information: If you’re able, gather information at the scene of the crash like the contact information of any witnesses and the locations of any cameras you notice that might have recorded what happened.
- Document the scene: Take pictures of the crash scene and any injuries if you’re able to.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
The attorneys at Florin|Roebig have been fighting on behalf of car accident victims in Boynton Beach and across Florida for over 30 years and are proud to boast over $1 Billion in compensation for their clients.
Florin|Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
Hiring an experienced car accident attorney will take a load off your shoulders and help you get a strong settlement. Florin|Roebig’s personal injury lawyers have a reputable case award history that speaks for itself, with an average compensation amount of over $1 Million per case.
Our personal injury lawyers are happy to discuss your case during a free case review and guide you toward your best options for seeking compensation after an accident.
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, but you can take action to make the process of recovering and seeking compensation a little easier.
Here are a few practical tips for navigating the aftermath of a car accident:
- Dealing with insurance companies: Insurance companies may try to offer you far less than your injuries warrant or even try to deny your claim. A lawyer can give you an idea of how much to expect in your car accident settlement and help get the insurance company to negotiate fairly.
- Protecting your legal rights: Don’t admit fault or apologize after a car accident because this can be used against you to lower your compensation, deny your claim, or even blame you for the accident. If you’re not sure if you’re at fault, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
- Managing medical expenses: Seek medical care promptly to get the best recovery outcome. You may be able to use your PIP insurance to cover some medical expenses and lost wages, then cover further expenses with a third-party claim settlement. An experienced attorney can often negotiate down medical costs on your behalf after a settlement or verdict.
- Preserving evidence: If it’s possible and safe to do so, try to take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident at the scene. Keep all evidence related to the accident in one place so you don’t lose anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you have to get a lawyer after a car accident in Boynton Beach?
2 years. That is when the Florida statute of limitations on a car accident personal injury case expires.
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident case in Boynton Beach?
Most attorneys charge a contingency fee—around 33% of the total amount of compensation you receive after you win a settlement or trial damages. If you don’t receive compensation, you shouldn’t be charged.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Boynton Beach?
The state of Florida has no damage caps for personal injury cases, which means you can receive any amount of compensation appropriate for your losses. Every case is different, so contact an attorney to get an idea of how much compensation your case may be worth.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Boynton Beach
The first step to filing a strong car accident claim is to speak with an experienced and dedicated lawyer. The attorneys at Florin|Roebig can provide you with legal advice and guide you through the process of building a strong case so you can get the compensation you deserve.
At Florin|Roebig, we offer you access to a team of capable, experienced personal injury attorneys in the Boynton Beach area and all of Florida, including:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- John J. Hart
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
If you are interested in seeking legal 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 an office near you below.
Palm Beach Office
777 S. Flagler Drive
Suite 800
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Schedule a case evaluation today and explore your legal options with experienced Boynton Beach car accident attorneys.
For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, the Florin|Roebig law offices have been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America.”
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
Your life can change drastically after being in a car accident. The number of hurdles you go through to try and get your life back to normal may not be enough.
Filing a car accident claim can help cushion the impact of your injuries, whether they are physical, emotional, or financial, and hiring the right attorney can determine the outcome of a claim.
With over 30 years of experience, our personal injury law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation. One of our proudest settlements includes a pedestrian injury case that settled for $1.5 million for our client.
The legal team at Florin|Roebig wants to hear your case and help you get through this difficult time. If you think you need legal advice, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free case evaluation to see if our top-rated Boynton Beach car accident attorneys are the right fit to represent you.
