The seat of Bay County, Panama City provides excellent waterfront restaurants and some of the best beaches in the state. However, being the largest city between Pensacola and Tallahassee comes with a higher risk of car accidents. There were 4,105 reported crashes in Bay County in 2023, leading to 2,340 injuries and 23 deaths.
Car accidents in Panama City can happen at any time, anywhere, and the effects on each person involved can differ greatly. Whether you’ve experienced property damage or physical injuries, a car accident claim in Panama City can provide much-needed compensation. However, claims can be difficult to file because there are so many variables to account for. People seek the help of attorneys because they want the best chance of filing a successful claim.
Follow this guide to learn more about the laws and best practices involved in filing a car accident claim in Panama City.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
To file a car accident claim in Panama City:
- Document injuries and damages by taking pictures at the scene of any injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident as a whole.
- File a police report while at the scene if possible by calling and cooperating with the authorities. They will file an incident report, which you’ll need for your claim.
- Notify your insurance company within 24 hours that you were involved in a crash.
- Gather evidence to submit with your claim, like accident photos, your police report, and medical bills.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney to help you determine your next steps and whether you should hire a lawyer to help with the claim filing process.
Award-winning trial attorney Shaun M. Cummings advises, “Before you file your claim, make sure your evidence and demand letter are solid, and that you didn’t overlook any vital source of evidence or holes in the details of the accident. Doing so puts you in a strong position to negotiate for higher compensation.”
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
A Panama City car accident lawyer can play a pivotal role in helping you file a more successful claim with less stress.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Car insurance agencies aren’t incentivized to offer you maximum compensation out the gate, especially since car accident victims rarely know how much is reasonable for their case and are often too overwhelmed to engage in a back-and-forth with insurers. Hiring an attorney who knows the intricacies of car accident law and how to negotiate on your behalf can result in much higher compensation.
When you work with Florin|Roebig car accident lawyers, they not only empathize with your situation, but they also give you valuable advice that leads to a successful claim. They’ll do the hard work of collecting evidence, speaking to relevant parties, and presenting your case in court if necessary. Find out more about how Florin|Roebig can help with your car accident claim with a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Panama City follows Florida and Bay County laws, as well as local ordinances, all of which heavily impact the result of your car accident claim.
Traffic Laws
State and local traffic laws are at the heart of car accident claim investigations and results because they help determine if anyone’s carelessness or intentional wrongdoing caused an accident—and, therefore, who should be responsible for paying for someone else’s losses.
Insurers or juries may look at evidence from witnesses, cameras, and more to see if a driver broke traffic laws like texting and driving, running a red light, etc. when the crash occurred.
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
Florida’s no-fault system extends to Panama City car accidents by requiring state-registered vehicles to not only have basic PIP and PDL insurance but to turn to their own insurance (a first-party insurance claim) in the case of an accident, no matter who was at fault.
To file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company (a third-party claim), victims must be badly injured or have other losses like car damage not covered by their own insurance.
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
Panama City car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: If you need fast coverage for medical bills, these claims can be invaluable. However, first-party claims are often limited in terms of what they cover and how much insurers will pay out.
- Third-party personal injury claims: For more serious accidents, these claims may be necessary to cover high medical bills and extended time away from work, as well as to get justice for pain and suffering and other losses.
- Personal injury lawsuits: If you can’t agree on compensation with an insurer, you may need to file a lawsuit with the Bay County court. This puts pressure on the insurance company to reach an agreement and avoid an unpredictable trial. If the case does go to trial, your compensation will be decided by a judge or jury.
Attorney Shaun Cummings says, “The sooner you seek treatment after a car accident, the better—even if you think you’re fine. Injuries aren’t always apparent right away, and you may lose out on some insurance coverage if you wait.”
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Fault In Car Accidents
In Florida, there can be more than one at-fault party—that, is more than one person may be partially responsible for causing the car accident.
Liability In Car Accident Cases
The liable party is whoever is responsible for compensating someone else harmed in a car accident.
Car accident cases in Panama City may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: Negligence usually determines who’s liable for compensation.
- Strict liability: An entity like a manufacturer can contribute to an auto accident if there was a defective part like an engine or a seatbelt that caused the crash or made someone’s injuries worse. In such cases, the manufacturer may be liable for compensation, even if they weren’t negligent.
- Vicarious liability: This describes liability for someone else’s actions. For example, a business may be vicariously liable for compensating a car accident victim who was hit by an on-the-job employee.
Understanding Consideration Of Negligence And Degree Of Fault
Since March 24, 2023, Florida has followed a modified comparative negligence standard, which means more than one party can be at fault for a car accident and the degree of fault decreases how much compensation someone receives. If someone is 51% at fault or higher, they cannot receive compensation at all.
For example, if you were found 15% at fault for failing to signal before a turn and you were awarded $100,000 in compensation, you could only collect $85,000.
Insurers may try to find ways to put some of the fault for an accident on you in order to pay less compensation, but an experienced attorney knows how to present the strongest evidence and arguments to get you the compensation you deserve.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Car accidents can introduce a host of challenges to your life in an instant—pain, disability, an inability to work, financial hardship, and much more.
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 Panama City 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 attorneys
Florin|Roebig’s experienced attorneys strive to be a key resource for car accident victims during a difficult time. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your legal experts any time of day for a confidential and free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
Immediately following a car accident, it’s important to put your and your loved ones’ safety first by moving out of oncoming traffic if you can and getting medical attention if you’re injured. However, there are actions you can take at the scene to make the car accident claims process easier and potentially more successful later on.
After a car accident in Panama City:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention immediately if you need it to improve your recovery outcome and leave a medical record.
- Contact law enforcement to report the accident so officials can file a police report.
- Gather information like witness contact details.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures from multiple angles.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been chosen 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
Florin|Roebig has been helping car accident victims for over 30 years and has won over $1 billion in compensation for their clients through a dedication to quality representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Panama City?
Most car accident attorneys charge a contingency fee of 25-40% of your compensation. If you don’t win compensation, they won’t charge you.
Should I call a lawyer after a car accident in Panama City?
Yes. Most law firms offer free case reviews that can give you guidance on what to do after your accident and help you decide if you need a lawyer.
Who pays for car damage in Florida no-fault?
Under Florida’s no-fault law, insurance coverage for car damage is only mandatory for someone else’s vehicle, not yours. If you have coverage for your own car, your insurance will pay for repairs. If your policy doesn’t cover all the damage, however, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Panama City
Whether you’re struggling with a wrongful death claim or a property damage claim, car accident lawyers serving Panama City can help you decide which legal path to pursue. Florin|Roebig is here to provide you with a professional you can count on.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in Panama City include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G Esposito
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.
Jacksonville Office
1506 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
A car accident claim in Panama City may be the only way to recoup some of what you’ve lost from the accident. While nothing can ever right the wrong that occurred, financial compensation can give you the support you need to get through this critical time.
When you reach out to Florin|Roebig, you can discuss all of your concerns during the consultation. This can help you sort out your claim and make it easier to decide if you want to take the next step. Learn more about how to file a car accident claim in Panama City and how much compensation you may be eligible to win by setting up a free consultation today.
