A car accident can be life-changing and lead to serious injuries and disabilities, which can in turn lead to significant financial losses and other consequences like chronic pain or loss of income. However, with the help of an experienced Gainesville car accident attorney from a reputable law firm like Florin|Roebig, you can file a claim to recover the compensation you need to start rebuilding your life.
The car accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig have experience working on all types of personal injury cases and with a variety of clients. Experts are available today and offering free case reviews to get you and your family started immediately.
What To Know About Gainesville Car Accident Claims
There were 5,016 car accidents in Alachua County, home to Gainesville, in 2023 – but why so many in this area?
There are several possible reasons why so many car accidents occur in and around Gainesville:
- High population and heavy traffic – As of 2023, Gainesville had a population of 143, 812 people, making it the most populated city in North Central Florida and prone to heavy traffic.
- Dangerous intersections – Gainesville has several dangerous intersections, most notably Northwest 34th Street and Northwest 39th Avenue in northern Gainesville and West University Avenue and Northwest 22nd Street near the University of Florida.
- Heavy tourism and local area attractions – In addition to being home to the University of Florida, Gainesville is also home to local attractions like the Butterfly Rainforest, Gainesville Raceway, and the Florida Museum of Natural History
In addition to the factors above, accidents in Gainesville are also caused by things like drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving.
Florin|Roebig attorney Shaun Cummings says, “With Gainesville car accident claims continuing to increase in number every year, it is more important than ever to work with a law team who understands these types of cases.”
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing a claim for a car accident in Gainesville does not have to be a complicated process, and can be especially smooth when working with the legal team at Florin|Roebig.
Steps in filing a car accident claim in Gainesville:
- Gather as much information as possible while still at the accident scene, including photos, police reports, and eyewitness testimonials
- Seek medical care for yourself and all passengers involved, and document any injuries that are a direct result of the accident
- Contact a car accident injury attorney who handles car accident cases for legal advice and a free case evaluation
- Gather evidence for your claim, including medical records and accident reports
- Submit your claim, including all paperwork and evidence, making sure you are within the statute of limitations for Florida
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party and insurance adjusters
- Move your case to court if the involved parties are unable to reach a settlement offer
Gainesville, Florida Laws For Car Accident Cases
It is important to be aware of any Florida car accident laws that may be relevant to your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Gainesville, FL laws that affect car accident cases:
- Statute of limitations – this law places a time limit on how long people have to file claims after an accident or other type of personal injury. In Florida, this period is four years.
- No-fault insurance laws – in no-fault insurance states, people are required to first file a claim with their own insurance company after a car accident, before they can file a claim against the at-fault driver.
- Minimum insurance requirements – all drivers in Florida are required to have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, as well as at least $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage
Fault In Car Accidents
Fault in car accidents generally refers to which motorist is at blame for causing the accident. There can be multiple drivers at fault or even no drivers at fault, such as in the case of a weather-related accident or collision with a wild animal. In terms of car accident law, states can either follow no-fault insurance laws or at-fault insurance laws.
Florida is considered a no-fault car insurance state, meaning that both parties recover compensation from their own insurance companies first, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Florida also uses what is called a pure comparative fault system, which ensures that you can still receive compensation for damages even if you are partly at fault for the accident. Under this rule, people are assigned a percentage of fault and may collect damages even if they are found to be 99% at fault.
Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability and fault are closely related, with liability being a person’s legal responsibility to pay for damages and costs related to an accident. Most driving accidents are considered instances of strict liability, in which the defendant personally participated in the criminal activity they are being charged with.
Attorney Shaun Cummings also warns, “Keep in mind that insurance adjusters may try to inflate a person’s level of liability to avoid paying out claims or to pay less than what is fair.”
Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
Another factor that is heavily related to both fault and liability is negligence, which is the idea that a person’s careless thoughts and actions are what resulted in the car accident. So while a driver may be found at fault for an accident, they may not necessarily be found liable if they are not also found to have been negligent.
Negligence is also used in order to assign degrees of fault to each driver involved. For example, one driver may be assigned a high level of fault for running a red light and hitting another driver, while the driver who was hit may also be assigned a degree of fault if they were not wearing their seatbelt.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
A car accident can happen in an instant and quickly change a person’s life forever. These changes can be both minor and significant.
A car accident can impact your life by:
- Causing injuries that result in permanent disfigurement or disability, such as a traumatic brain injury, or that require extensive occupational and physical therapy
- Resulting in both short-term and long-term emotional trauma, including the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Causing property damage that can take time to repair
- Resulting in the need for continued medical treatments and thus growing medical bills
- Preventing you from working and earning an income for a long period of time
- Resulting in the loss of a loved one
Anyone experiencing trauma after a car accident may want to consider joining a support group, speaking with their primary care physician, or finding other types of mental health support.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Gainesville
A car accident can certainly be overwhelming and hectic in the moment, and you may not always be able to take certain actions. This is especially true if there are serious injuries. Do your best to stay calm, and take in as much information as you can, as this may help your car accident case later on.
Actions you can take immediately and shortly following a car accident in Gainesville include:
- Seek medical attention, even if it does not seem necessary, as you may have injuries that you cannot see or feel yet
- Document the scene of the accident, including by taking notes and photos of all vehicles involved and any surrounding traffic signs or lights that are important
- Call the proper authorities and wait at the scene until law enforcement arrives, keeping in mind that any accidents that involve a death, drunk driving, or a hit and run are required by law to be reported
- Consult with a lawyer as soon as you can, and try not to say or do too much involving your case until you have spoken with them
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
People who work with Florin|Roebig often report positive outcomes and a sense of confidence that they would not have felt representing themselves.
Florin|Roebig can help with your car accident claim by:
- Offering you a free consultation to determine your eligibility and get your case started
- Helping you to gather and submit important evidence for your case
- Providing expert and experienced attorneys who can perform important negotiations on your behalf
- Having knowledge and expertise in all Florida personal injury laws
- Having a solid track record for successful settlements and verdicts
- Helping you to meet all important deadlines of your case
- Earning you a higher award amount and ensuring your claim is processed in a timely manner
- Allowing you to relax and recover from your accident with peace of mind
- Never charging you any upfront costs or fees and only getting paid when your case is won
Practical Advice For After a Car Accident
Recovering from a car accident is not always easy, especially if you have severe injuries or you lost a loved one in the accident.
Tips and advice for families and individuals after a car accident:
- Seek professional help for your mental health if you are having trouble coping with the trauma of a car accident
- Lean on your support system, such as family members and friends, during particularly troubling times
- Remember to take care of yourself by eating healthy, exercising, and practicing self-care
- Take your time in returning to work and your regular responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are questions that are frequently asked about automobile accident lawyers in Gainesville.
Is it required to work with a car accident lawyer in Gainesville after an accident?
You are never required to work with a car accident attorney when filing a personal injury lawsuit in Gainesville, however, it is likely to make the process of your claim much smoother. By working with an attorney from Florin|Roebig, you are guaranteed to feel confident throughout the legal process, and may even expect a bigger settlement award and faster outcome.
What damages can I claim after a car accident in Gainesville?
There are several types of damages that people can claim when filing a car accident claim in Gainesville. These include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
- Non-economic damages
Your Florin|Roebig attorney can ensure that all possible damages are claimed for you so that maximum compensation is awarded.
How much does it cost to work with a car accident attorney in Gainesville?
Most car accident lawyers, including those in Gainesville, work on a contingency fee basis. In this sense, there are never any upfront costs or fees for getting your case underway. In these cases, you would only owe your lawyer compensation after your case is won, at which point you would owe them a percentage of your settlement or verdict award.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
If you are looking for legal assistance in the Gainesville area and a free consultation to determine your eligibility, contact Florin|Roebig here or on our helpline for 24/7 assistance that is always confidential and private. With nearly 40 years of experience in helping accident victims seek justice after a car crash and multiple law offices located throughout the United States, Florin|Roebig is always here and available to help your family get the compensation it deserves.
Ready to talk to a Florin|Roebig attorney? Feel free to use any of the contact methods listed below to set up a case review.
- Call us anytime
- Fill out a contact form at florinroebig.com
- Email at [email protected]
- Contact one of our Florida law offices
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
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 the members of our esteemed legal team include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- John J. Hart
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
Our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation. Contact us today to discuss your legal options after a motor vehicle accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, and find out more about how we can help with your auto injury claim.
