Palm Beach County, Florida, where Jupiter is located, experiences an unfortunately high number of car crashes. There were 26,237 accidents in 2023 alone, causing 16,243 injuries and 181 deaths. In many cases, these accidents lead to physical, emotional, and financial consequences victims continue to face for months or even years after the accident.
While no amount of money can give you the life you had before, car accident claims exist to help victims recover as completely as possible. Read on to learn more about filing a car accident claim and how an attorney can help.
What To Know About Jupiter Car Accident Claims
Car crash victims in Jupiter, Florida, may be able to file a claim for compensation depending on several laws and regulations specific to Florida and Palm Beach County.
Insurance Requirements
All counties in Florida must follow the state’s no-fault policy, which requires every Florida-registered vehicle to be covered by Personal Injury Protection insurance. In the case of a crash, drivers turn to their own insurance by default, regardless of who caused the accident. If you were in an accident in Jupiter, you’ll need to meet certain criteria to file a claim against another driver.
Statute of Limitations
Florida’s Statute of Limitations caps the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. In the case of car accidents, victims usually have 2 years to file starting from the day of the accident.
Comparative Negligence Standards
“Modified comparative negligence is a legal rule that pertains to car accidents throughout Florida,” explains triple-board certified trial attorney Shaun M. Cummings. “You can receive compensation as long as you’re less than 51% responsible for the accident, but your percentage of fault reduces the amount of compensation you receive. For example, someone who’s 10% at fault would lose 10% of their compensation.”
What Causes Car Accidents in Jupiter?
Jupiter, the northernmost town in Palm Beach county, is home to several beautiful beaches and an overall relaxed atmosphere, but its position on the Southeast coast of Florida and nearness to several bigger cities poses traffic-related challenges.
Common Jupiter-specific car accident risks include:
- Tourist traffic: Jupiter’s beaches are a favorite among surfers and vacationers, which draws heavy traffic during the winter. Furthermore, the town’s relative closeness to major cities like Miami and Orlando brings in even more out-of-towners, causing heavy traffic and more accidents.
- Hurricane season: Sitting on the northeast coast of Florida, Jupiter is unfortunately vulnerable to hurricanes, which can cause many accident risks like heavy rain, road debris, and traffic congestion during evacuations.
- Commuter traffic: Rush hour can be brutal in Jupiter because its car-dependent residents usually have to drive to Miami or West Palm Beach for work. These high-traffic times are more prone to crashes.
- Dangerous Intersections: Certain intersections and roads are especially dangerous in Jupiter, Florida, such as the intersection of Indiantown Road and Military Trail, US 1 and Indian Creek Parkway, and US 1 and Toney Penna Drive
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing a car accident claim in Jupiter usually involves the following steps.
- Document injuries and damages at the scene of the accident if you can by taking pictures of your injuries, vehicle, and the crash scene.
- File a police report by calling the cops immediately and cooperating with their investigation.
- Notify your insurance company at once, letting them know you were involved in a crash.
- Gather evidence such as medical bills, your accident report, and witness contact information. Store them in a safe digital and physical location.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. Most reputable car accident law firms offer free and confidential consultations that can give you an idea of what to do next and whether you’d be best off working with a lawyer.
If you were involved in a serious car accident, you may benefit greatly from the guidance of an experienced car accident attorney. The award-winning lawyers at Florin|Roebig are available to help you successfully file your car accident claim. Seek legal advice now with a free case evaluation.
Jupiter, Florida Laws For Car Accident Cases
Jupiter follows Florida and Palm Beach County laws, which can affect your car accident case in many ways.
Fault Determination Rules
Negligence, the failure to take proper care while doing something like operating a vehicle, must usually be proven to show someone is at fault for a car accident in Jupiter. “At-fault drivers may be found negligent for many reasons,” says lawyer Shaun Cummings. “They may have caused the accident by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, being distracted by their phone, or by driving recklessly.”
Insurance Coverage Requirements
All Florida-registered vehicles must 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
All cities in Florida must follow the state’s no-fault system, including Jupiter. This means people involved in minor car accidents usually turn to their own insurance coverage to pay medical bills regardless of who was at fault. However, individuals who were badly injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault may be able to file a third-party claim against the other driver’s insurance company.
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
Jupiter car accident victims can seek compensation in a handful of ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: Claims filed with your own insurance policy. They are usually quick and easy to get, but the amount is limited and doesn’t cover much beyond injury-related expenses like medical bills.
- Third-party personal injury claims: Claims filed against an at-fault party’s insurance company for compensation for serious injuries and other losses.
- Personal injury lawsuits: A case filed in Palm Beach County court that can lead to a settlement out of court or, rarely, a trial where a jury or judge determines if and how much compensation you get.
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Fault In Car Accidents
The driver at fault in a case is the one ruled responsible for causing the crash. Insurers or courts will determine fault by seeing if either party committed negligence via traffic violations, careless driving, etc.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes someone’s legal responsibility to financially compensate an injured person.
Car accident cases in Jupiter may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: Someone found to be negligent (careless) during an accident is generally liable for compensating the injured party in a car accident case.
- Strict liability: Sometimes accidents are caused or made worse by defective car parts like tires or seatbelts. In this case, the manufacturer may be strictly liable for the accident—legally responsible even if they didn’t intend to cause harm and weren’t careless.
- Vicarious liability: This type of liability happens when one party is responsible for paying for the harm caused by someone else, such as when an employee causes an accident while on the job but their employer must pay.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Car accidents can affect your life in countless ways that extend far past physical pain and disability.
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
Car accident resources in Jupiter 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
No amount of money can make up for the pain and suffering you experience during and after a car accident. However, collecting money in the form of a car accident settlement from the party responsible for the crash can help you bring them to justice and begin rebuilding your life. The attorneys at Florin|Roebig are here to help with a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Jupiter
It’s not easy to act purposefully in the immediate aftermath of a car accident, but by following some general best practices, your journey toward healing and seeking compensation can be a lot simpler down the road.
After a car accident in Jupiter:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention as soon as possible to get the best outcome for your recovery and compensation.
- Contact law enforcement to report the crash and have an accident report filed.
- Gather information like witness contact information while still at the crash site if you can.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Financial compensation can help you recover from your losses, including the loss of employment, medical bills, and more. To maximize your chances of winning a fair settlement, however, you need the right attorney on your side. At Florin|Roebig, we have decades of experience with these types of accident cases, and we can help you pursue legal action to get the justice you deserve.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
With over $1 Billion won for car crash victims in the past 30 years, Florin|Roebig’s attorneys are seasoned car accident experts who know how to advocate for their clients to win them a strong compensation package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 14-day accident law in Florida?
This law is part of Florida’s no-fault system. It requires crash victims to get medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to get coverage under PIP.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Florida?
There is no limit to the amount someone can win in a settlement or verdict in Florida. Florin-Roebig averages over $1 Million for their clients, but lower amounts are typical. You should contact an attorney to get a range for your likely compensation.
How long after a car accident can you sue in Florida?
Two years from the day of the accident, though rare exceptions may apply. Contact an attorney for a definite filing deadline.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers Serving Jupiter
The law in Florida does not require you to have legal representation to file a car accident claim. However, if you want to give yourself the best chance of success in court and a fair outcome, you need guidance and representation from someone who understands personal injury lawsuit cases.
The team at Florin|Roebig has a long record of success representing clients involved in car accident claims.
Some of the personal injury attorneys on our team who represent clients in the Jupiter, Florida, area include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G Esposito
- John J. Hart
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
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
When filing a car accident claim, it is in your best interest to secure representation from a qualified attorney who knows Florida personal injury law. If you have been injured in a car accident and you are interested in filing a car accident claim in Jupiter, the attorneys at Florin|Roebig are here to help. Call us today to schedule a confidential and free consultation or to learn more about our services.
