Protecting your interests after an automobile accident causes injuries is vital if another party decides to file a car accident claim in Florida City. You or your loved ones may have medical bills, and it’s surprising how fast they add up. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, you may want to contact car accident attorneys sooner rather than later.
“My clients often think they remember exactly what happened in an accident, but there are so many details they can lose in the aftermath and a number of things they don’t know,” explains attorney Chad K. Florin. “I do my utmost to protect client rights because I’m on your side.”
Florin|Roebig’s legal team is knowledgeable, compassionate, and devoted to protecting injured people’s rights. Our significant experience in personal injury cases positions Florin|Roebig to offer the skill level, expertise, and assistance you need to obtain the compensation you deserve.
What To Know About Florida City Claims For Car Accident Injuries
Each year, Florida City is the site of thousands of car accidents. For people who have been injured in a car accident in Florida City, the medical expenses can become overwhelming. This can be compounded by calls from insurance companies demanding settlement acceptance and medical clinics demanding payment.
Crushing debt is the number one reason many seek legal advice from car accident lawyers in Florida City. Other motivations may include setting up for future medical and personal care, holding the at-fault party responsible, or removing negligent drivers from the road.
Car Accident Rates In Florida City
Florida City, located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is the southernmost city in the extensive South Florida metropolitan region. Serving primarily as a suburb of Miami, Florida City also plays a significant role in the region’s agricultural industry.
With a population of 12,735, car accidents are very frequent as in other areas of Miami-Dade County:
- 63,839 car accidents over the year 2023.
- Over 29,500 people in 2023 were injured as a result of a car accident in Miami-Dade County.
- 346 fatal crashes occurred in 2023 in Miami-Dade County, including wrongful deaths that may impact Florida City residents.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
The process of filing a car accident claim begins at the moment of impact. As soon as another vehicle strikes yours, it’s highly likely that you or your car will require a little help to recover. In Florida, the first claims are filed against your personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance plans.
Once you have tapped those funds, you can file claims against the insurance coverage of other parties in the accident. Remember that insurance companies can reduce or refuse payouts by getting you to admit responsibility for an accident or convincing you to accept a lower settlement. Speaking with a qualified personal injury attorney before filing any insurance claims can prevent you from making these mistakes.
Take these steps on the car accident scene (or as you’re able):
- Collect evidence in the form of pictures, video, and witness statements.
- Write down your personal statement.
- Seek medical care for all injuries, even if they seem minor.
- Contact a car accident law office, like Florin|Roebig.
Allowing a paramedic on-scene or a doctor within 14 days of the accident to check you out meets the requirements for your PIP policy. It also ensures that if an injury presents at a later time, you’re able to show proof that it wasn’t there before. You will also need proof that it directly results from the accident.
Saying “I’m sorry” at any point on the accident scene or in conversations with insurance companies, law enforcement, and other parties regarding the accident can be seen as accepting fault for the accident, and it can be used against you in negotiations.
When you pay for accident damage or medical treatment, keep receipts and place them with medical records. Also, write down and follow any instructions your doctor gives you regarding care for injuries. Failure to follow your assigned treatment plan can hurt your case.
Obtain a copy of the police report and examine it for inaccuracies. An auto accident lawyer can help you dispute the report if necessary.
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Accident Laws, Fault, Liability, and Negligence in Florida City, Florida
Florida traffic laws can vary by city, but most remain within state-issued guidelines. Many cities have passed additional laws about sharing the road with pedestrians and bicyclists to curb incidents at pedestrian crossings.
For example, bicycles are often classified as motor vehicles in Florida cities and expected to follow traffic signs and yield to pedestrians regardless of whether they’re traveling on a roadway, sidewalk, or other path.
Fault In Car Crashes
No-fault states like Florida utilize PIP for more immediate assistance to car accident parties while law enforcement, insurance companies, and attorneys decide who is most at fault for an accident. They examine damage to the vehicles and interview involved persons for their accounts, which is why it’s so important to avoid stating any responsibility.
“It may seem appropriate to apologize to the other driver, not because you think you’re at fault but because you feel bad that the accident occurred. But doing so can haunt you later, so you need to avoid these types of statements.”
-Florida car accident lawyer Chad K. Florin
Liability In Car Accident Cases
Causing an accident can make a person liable for it, but there are a few exceptions to the rule, including vicarious and strict liabilities, which can shift the narrative of liability.
A parent, employer, or other type of car owner can be liable for an accident without being in the vehicle if it’s registered to them. Handing car keys to your child, an employee, or in-laws can place you firmly in the vicarious liability category and set you up for a personal injury lawsuit.
You can be found strictly liable if you caused the accident even when you didn’t mean to or were unaware you were responsible for it. For example, you can be lost in thought and not realize you’ve exceeded the speed limit.
When it comes down to it, you were still speeding. Or you may be driving in an unfamiliar state and not know that taking a particular action is illegal. Because it was still against the law and regardless of your knowledge of it, an argument can be made that you’re still liable.
Negligence In Car Accident Cases
Simply being in an accident doesn’t mean it’s someone’s fault. Unfortunate coincidences can lead to an impact that’s unavoidable in the moment. When that happens, you can use your PIP, PDL, and other insurance policy types to offset your out-of-pocket expenses and move on as best you can.
Other times, a person directly caused an accident. Maybe they were in a hurry, so they raced a yellow light or made an illegal turn, striking a pedestrian or another vehicle. This is considered negligence. The reason why a driver made a decision matters less than the fact that their decision caused harm to others.
Drivers can be negligent in making these decisions, not necessarily meaning to harm another, but knowing that their actions are illegal. They can also make these decisions knowingly to cause harm. That level of intent can lead to punitive damages awards, which are strictly intended to punish the party at fault.
Pure Comparative Negligence
Pure comparative negligence is a system some states use that determines fault, assigns it to relevant parties, and allows them to sue one another for any percentage of fault that is not theirs. It also reduces each injured party’s claim by their fault percentage. This applies under the previous Florida laws, as explained below.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Modified comparative negligence in the state of Florida applies the 50% bar rule within its system. Fault is still decided and given to each party, and each party’s rewards are still reduced by their responsibility for the accident. However, they can only file against one another if they’re found to be less than 50% at fault in a collision. Find out more about when modified comparative negligence is used below.
Statute Of Limitations In Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents
Under current Florida laws, the statute of limitations is two years to file a claim against the responsible party unless your injury isn’t discovered until later. With delayed injuries, you have two years to file, but you still have to prove that the car accident caused your health issues. Modified comparative negligence determines how settlements are dispersed in these cases.
Prior to March 24, 2023, Florida laws required that pure comparative negligence be used in car accident cases. Under these rules, the statute of limitations for all injuries caused by a car accident is four years from the incident or from injury discovery.
FAQs About Florida City, Florida Car Accident Attorneys
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident in Florida?
It depends on the severity of your injuries and damage and your level of fault. Serious injuries, like damage to your spinal cord, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can indicate that future medical and care expenses will be high. Winning a personal injury lawsuit can give you the resources for your future well-being.
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Florida?
Florida car accident attorneys usually charge 15-40% of your settlement, but they are not paid unless they win your case.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Florida?
It depends on the totals of your economic damages, like medical bills and car repairs, and noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering.
How much money do you get from a car accident settlement in Florida?
The amount varies based on the evidence your attorney presents in court or during settlement negotiations. Proving you have high bills, heavy mental stress, and significant life alterations improves your settlement amount.
Our Featured Case Results
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Florida City
Florin|Roebig provides legal services for people who have been injured in accidents across the United States, including Florida City. Our skilled legal team combines an extensive knowledge of the complex personal injury laws, compassion for our clients, and the experience that comes from success.
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.”
At Florin|Roebig, we are proud to offer the legal services of some of the region’s brightest car accident lawyers, including:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- John J. Hart
With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Other practice areas the law offices of Florin|Roebig specialize in which are available to the Florida City area include:
Free Consultation With Florida Car Accident Lawyers At Florin|Roebig
Florin|Roebig provides free case evaluations for victims of car accidents in Florida City and throughout the state, including Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa. Contact our offices today to discuss your car accident claim, no matter where it happened in the state.
Our Palm Beach office is located at:
777 Flagler Drive
Suite 800 – West Tower
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
You can also use one of our online options 24/7:
- Fill out the online contact form
- Chat with a representative
Florin|Roebig provides legal services for people with personal injury claims across the United States, including Florida City. Our skilled legal team combines an extensive knowledge of the complex personal injury laws, compassion for our clients, and the experience that comes from success.
With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
Other practice areas the law offices of Florin|Roebig specialize in which are available to the Florida City area include:
