Known as the “Golf Capital of the World,” Naples, Florida is known for its white-sand beaches and exclusive golf communities, but car accidents are also an unfortunate reality of the area. In 2023, Collier County residents suffered from 6,556 crashes, which caused 3,986 injuries and 42 deaths.
When a car accident happens, it can cause serious injuries. Even if these injuries don’t appear to be serious at first, they can result in an inability to work, mounting medical expenses, and other costs that can leave an accident victim reeling. Filing a car accident claim in Naples can help individuals obtain compensation for their losses.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing most auto accident claims in Naples involves the following steps.
- Document injuries and damages by taking pictures of your car, your injuries, and the accident scene.
- File a police report by calling the authorities to the scene and cooperating with their investigations.
- Notify your insurance company immediately, letting them know you were in a crash.
- Gather evidence like pictures, medical bills, and your accident report, keeping digital copies and storing physical evidence in a secure location.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. You can reach out to most law firms via a free case review to better understand the circumstances of your case and what to do next.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Naples auto accident lawyer can not only lead to far more compensation from your claim, but it can take a load of stress off your shoulders, knowing a seasoned professional is navigating the complexities of the car crash claims process on your behalf.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Attorney Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M. advises,“If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, reach out to a car accident attorney as soon as possible. You might be leaving vital sources of compensation for your expenses and losses on the table without even knowing it or getting a far lower offer from an insurance company than you deserve.”
The car accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig can provide the assistance and expertise the injured party needs in order to be successful in their claim. They have been recognized as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by US News and World Report and Best Lawyers in America every year since the inception of the honor in 2010. Schedule a case evaluation today to explore your legal options with experienced Naples car accident attorneys.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Naples follows Florida and Collier County laws, which can affect your car accident case in many ways.
Fault Determination Rules
Fault describes any parties who contributed to a car accident. In Florida, more than one person can share responsibility for a crash. This is usually determined based on negligence, or careless actions that lead to harm, such as distracted driving, reckless driving, or driving under the influence.
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
Collier County courts follow Florida’s no-fault system, which has several parts to it. First, all state-registered vehicles are required to be covered by certain types of insurance. Second, if an accident occurs, the parties involved turn to their own insurance companies (a first-party claim) first to cover injury-related expenses.
However, in cases where someone was at fault for the accident, victims may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurer (a third-party claim) for compensation for property damage or severe injuries.
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
Naples car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: File this claim within 14 days to get fairly quick and straightforward coverage for immediate medical expenses.
- Third-party personal injury claims: Third-party claims are filed against an at-fault party’s insurance company to get additional compensation for serious injuries and property damage.
- Car accident injury lawsuits: Insurance companies may refuse to pay adequate compensation until you file a lawsuit, which threatens the risk of a costly and unpredictable trial through the Collier County court, where the case will be determined by a judge or jury.
Fault In Car Accidents
In Naples, fault for car accidents is usually determined by negligence. An insurer or court will look at factors like whether a driver committed a traffic violation, was distracted, or was otherwise driving recklessly to determine negligence and, by extension, degree of fault.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
When someone is legally responsible for compensating someone for the harm they’ve suffered in an accident, they’re described as liable.
Car accident cases in Naples may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: If someone was acting negligently when a crash occurred, they’ll usually be held at least partially liable.
- Strict liability: Sometimes an accident is caused or made worse because part of a vehicle malfunctioned, such as the brakes or airbag. In these cases, an entity like the manufacturer may be liable for injuries even if they weren’t negligent.
- Vicarious liability: If one party, like a business, is responsible for compensating someone because of the actions of someone else, like an on-the-job employee, they’re considered vicariously liable.
Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule as of March 24, 2023.
Under the rule:
- More than one person can be at fault in a crash.
- Your degree of fault decreases your total compensation.
- If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t get compensation from the other party.
Florin|Roebig attorney Chad Florin explains, “For example, let’s say you weren’t signaling when the crash occurred and you’re found to be 15% at fault. If you got $100,000 in compensation for your injuries, that amount would be reduced to $85,000.”
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
While many car accidents are minor, others can leave a tremendous impact on the life of the victim and their loved ones, causing physical pain, time out of work, disability, and emotional and financial hardship.
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 Naples 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 injury attorneys
Never forget that car accident attorneys are a resource, with most offering an evaluation of your case at no cost to help you figure out what to do after an accident. Florin|Roebig has earned over $1 billion in compensation for their clients to help them get back on their feet. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a legal expert today with a free case review.
What To Do After A Car Accident
Your and your loved one’s safety should always come first in the aftermath of a car accident, but if you’re able to, certain actions can make your claim-filing process easier down the road.
After a car accident in Naples:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention: Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. This will also create a record of your injuries.
- Contact law enforcement: The police will create an accident report, which you can get a copy of to use in your claim.
- Gather information: While at the scene of the crash, reach out to any witnesses for their contact details.
- Document the accident scene: Take pictures of the accident to use as evidence in your claim.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
For every year since it began in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
For over 30 years, Florin|Roebig has been fighting to earn car accident victims the compensation they deserve. Their dedication has resulted in over $1 billion in total compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Naples?
Most car accident lawyers charge 25-40% of your compensation for their services. If you don’t get compensation, they won’t charge you anything.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Naples?
Settlements in Florida can vary tremendously, but generally, settlements out of court are in the tens of thousands while jury verdict awards are higher. Contact a legal expert about your specific case to get a better idea of how much you might get from your settlement.
Can you sue in Florida for a car accident?
Yes. Most of the time, you’ll file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company, but it may make sense to sue the driver personally in some cases.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Naples
The experienced and dedicated legal team at Florin|Roebig has been providing assistance with personal injury claims in the state of Florida since 1985. We service areas throughout the United States as well.
A few of our available car accident attorneys serving Naples who can provide a free case evaluation include the following:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Luca G Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find A Naples Car Accident Lawyer Near You
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.
Fort Myers Office
9160 Forum Corporate Parkway
Suite 310
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Filing a car accident claim in Naples can be challenging, but it can also bring tremendous relief to auto accident victims and their loved ones by covering accident-related expenses and providing a sense of closure and justice.
The attorneys at the law offices of Florin|Roebig have extensive experience in handling car accident claims, and we are aware of the intricacies within the legal system that apply to these cases. If you have been injured in an auto accident, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation today.
