Unfortunately, car accidents are increasingly common across the country, and this does not exclude Delray Beach in South Florida. Accidents can be stressful and upsetting no matter the circumstances, but especially so when they’re the result of negligence.
Car accident victims are often entitled to compensation for the damages they’ve incurred as a result of their crash. To receive compensation, however, victims must file a car accident claim, which can be a bit confusing to handle on your own. This is why many choose to hire a qualified auto injury attorney like the ones at Florin|Roebig.
What To Know About Delray Beach Car Accident Claims
There’s a lot to cover when it comes to Delray Beach car accidents. Having an understanding of local laws, insurance requirements, common legal terms, and your legal options can be a great framework for navigating your case.
Though doing your own research and becoming familiar with general concepts is always encouraged, the best thing to do when filing an auto accident claim is to hire Florin|Roebig for legal advice. We offer free case evaluations to discuss your case and how to pursue compensation.
How to File a Delray Beach Motor Vehicle Crash Claim Step-by-Step
Knowing where to start when filing your auto crash claim can be an immense help. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide for the process below.
1. Collect and preserve evidence
Gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This can include videos, pictures, witness reports, or police reports. This will help strengthen your case and prove negligence.
2. Document injuries
Make sure to save any medical records or bills you incur due to injuries from your crash. Don’t be afraid to take pictures of your injuries as well.
3. Call Florin|Roebig
Set up a free case evaluation with Florin|Roebig to discuss your case with a triple-board-certified lawyer.
4. Call your insurance company
Have your evidence on hand and call your insurance company to file a claim.
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Delray Beach Laws For Auto Accident Cases
There are several laws in the state of Florida that can be relevant to your car accident claim. It’s a good idea to be familiar with them before filing your claim to ensure the best possible outcome.
Relevant laws include:
- Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that no matter who is considered liable, insurance companies are required to cover medical expenses
- Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for automobile crashes
- Florida observes comparative negligence
- Motor vehicle accidents must be reported to the police if they cause at least $500 of damage or cause injury or death
- Motorists are required to have $10,000 of both personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability coverage
If you’re unsure how these laws may affect your claim, give Florin|Roebig a call today to review your case with a lawyer well-versed in personal injury cases.
Fault in Delray Beach Car Accidents
One of the most important terms to understand in a car accident case is fault. Fault refers to who is considered responsible for your accident. It’s common for both drivers to be found at fault by different percentages when it comes to auto accidents.
Identifying the at-fault party(ies) in a car accident claim can help determine the outcome of a lawsuit and is typically done by insurance adjusters.
One contingency to this, however, is medical bills. Florida is a no-fault state, which means insurance companies must cover medical expenses, whether or not you were the at-fault party.
To discuss how fault pertains to your unique case, give your Florin|Roebig attorney a call.
Negligence and Comparative Negligence in Delray Beach Auto Accidents
You may have noticed mentions of negligence throughout this article. This is another common term in car accident claims and describes actions that result in a driver failing to operate their vehicle with caution. Drunk driving, driving high, driving distracted, disobeying traffic laws, or driving recklessly can all be considered negligent.
To prove negligence, theories of negligence, including duty of care, breach of duty of care, causation, and damages, must all be considered.
Along with negligence comes comparative negligence. This is a standard observed by Florida, which means even if you are deemed partially at fault for your car crash, you are still eligible to file a personal injury claim. This usually decreases the maximum compensation for your case.
Liability in Delray Beach Vehicle Crash Lawsuits
Liability is another term you may hear during your vehicle accident case. It describes legal responsibility. In other words, the liable party is also the at-fault driver.
Two kinds of liability may come up in your case: strict liability and vicarious liability.
- Strict liability: Motorists are responsible for damages regardless of their intentions or negligence
- Vicarious liability: Motorists are responsible for damages their vehicle caused, whether or not they were the one driving it
Ways Your Accident May Affect Your Life
Understanding the specific ways an accident has altered your life is important when filing your claim. It can be hard to wrap your head around all of the ways your life has been affected, so here are some common consequences associated with car crashes:
- Mild to serious injuries
- Disfigurement
- Property damage
- Financial strain
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of a loved one
- Loss of independence
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Lost income
- Wrongful death
Your Florin|Roebig attorney can also help review your case to determine how you have been affected by the accident.
What to Do and How Much Compensation Can You Win?
You may be in shock following your Delray Beach vehicle accident. Here’s a list of steps to keep in mind and stay calm.
- Move your vehicle. If functional, move your vehicle out of the way of danger to prevent secondary crashes and injuries.
- Check for injuries. Identify injuries in yourself and your passengers and seek medical care if needed.
- Communicate. Exchange contact information with the other driver(s) as well as any witnesses.
- Report your accident. Call the police and report your accident if required by law.
- Collect evidence. Take pictures, videos, and witness accounts at the scene of the accident to preserve them for your case.
- Call Florin|Roebig. Call Florin|Roebig and discuss your case with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.
Call your insurance provider. Start filing your claim by reviewing your insurance policies and calling your insurance provider.
The degree of injury and the amount of damage to vehicles and equipment can influence the amount of compensation awarded in a car accident claim. Car accident attorneys are experienced in determining compensation that takes into account all the factors that could influence your life and future following a car accident.
You could receive more or less compensation after an accident because of the following factors, as well as other factors:
- injuries and their degree of severity, including fatalities
- the need for rehabilitation, chiropractic care, or long-term medical care
- lost income and wages
- pain, suffering, and emotional stress
- psychological needs, including counseling and medication
The more serious injuries and property damage that have occurred, the greater the potential for higher compensation for your personal injury case. Compensation in the auto accident claims process is intended to help you and your loved ones recover and rebuild your lives.
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Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
Car accident lawyers are experienced in determining damages that have occurred as a result of an automobile accident. The claims process uses damages to determine how much money (compensation) can be awarded.
Car accident damages can include:
- vehicle repair or replacement
- medical bills, hospitalization, and prescriptions
- rehabilitation costs
- psychiatric care, counseling, and medication
- lost salary, wages, or self-employment earnings
- emotional pain and suffering
At times, some car accident claim awards can include “punitive damages.” Punitive damages are intended to punish people involved in an accident who have been negligent. Although punitive damages aren’t a common occurrence, they can be awarded after a car accident in Delray Beach where significant negligence was involved.
Practical Advice for Car Accidents
The law offices of Florin|Roebig want to make sure you’re educated when it comes to the legal side of your claim, but we also want to make sure you have some practical tips, too.
- Seek medical attention ASAP. Even if you don’t notice injuries, try to get a medical evaluation as soon as you can, as some injuries don’t show up right away. Additionally, it’s best to get documentation of injuries as early as possible.
- Organize your expenses. The expenses related to vehicle accidents are often immense. Keeping your expenses organized can help you stay on top of things and provide hard evidence for your claim.
- Be prepared when talking to your insurance company. Ensure that you are organized and have your evidence close by when filing your claim. This can help make sure your case is detailed and strong.
- Don’t sweat the small things. There can be a lot to worry about following your accident. Hiring an attorney from Florin|Roebig can help take a lot of the stress off your plate and increase your chances of compensation exponentially.
Auto Accident Rates In Delray Beach
Located in Palm Beach County, Delray Beach unfortunately sees a high rate of accidents each year.
In 2023, Palm Beach County recorded:
- 26,237 car accidents
- 16,243 injuries
- 181 fatalities due to the accidents
- 6,951 hit-and-runs
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Delray Beach
If you’ve been in a car accident in Delray Beach in South Florida, it’s understandable that you’ll feel a lot of worry and stress, and you may not know where to turn next. You can find out how best to proceed and learn your rights by talking to experienced and compassionate car accident attorneys by scheduling your initial consultation.
Florin|Roebig’s esteemed and highly experienced attorneys can help you, including:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
You may be facing an onslaught of law firms in your search for legal representation. Not to worry, here are some reasons why Florin|Roebig is the right choice.
- Experience and track record: Providing legal guidance for victims across the country, Florin|Roebig has more than four decades of experience with personal injury law. We also have some of the highest jury verdicts in the state.
- Strengthening your claim: Putting together a vehicle accident claim is no easy feat. With the help of a Florin|Roebig attorney, your claim will be all the much stronger. We know the ins and outs of a car accident case.
- Win fair compensation: The legal team of Florin|Roebig is dedicated to advocating and fighting for you to ensure you win the compensation you deserve. Our number one priority is a great attorney-client relationship.
