Even when you are being as careful as possible, you can be involved in a car accident. If the accident results in injuries, you may find yourself with a mountain of medical bills you can’t afford to pay, along with chronic pain, disability, and other serious consequences.
Although no amount of money can fully compensate you for the impact an auto accident has on your life, filing a claim against the responsible party can give you the resources you need to move forward.
The laws pertaining to car accident claims in Florida can be complicated. If you are thinking about filing a claim, you may need to seek assistance from a qualified attorney. At Florin|Roebig, we have extensive experience with car accident claims, and we are here to help you get the compensation you need to move on with your life.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Port Charlotte
Every car accident is unique. However, common factors contribute to car accidents in Port Charlotte. While some car accidents may have one clear cause, others may have more than one contributing factor.
Some of the most common contributing factors include:
- distracted driving — All too often, drivers operate their vehicles while attempting to engage in other activities, such as texting or talking on the phone. If these distracting activities contribute to an accident, the victims can sue the responsible driver for damages.
- drinking and driving — When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, their reaction times are slower and accidents are more likely to occur. The same is true if the driver is under the influence of other drugs. In such cases, people who are injured are entitled to compensation.
- ignoring traffic laws — Drivers who ignore traffic laws, such as stop signs or posted speed limits, are more likely to cause accidents than drivers who operate their vehicles safely. When an accident occurs because of a disregarded traffic law, the driver responsible is liable for all losses.
In some cases, car accidents may also occur because of malfunctioning vehicles or poor road conditions. In these cases, the party responsible may still be required to pay for damages. If you aren’t sure whether your car accident qualifies you to file a claim, talk to one of our attorneys for guidance.
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
Perhaps the most common reason for filing a car accident claim is financial in nature. It is no secret that car accidents are expensive, especially if you are injured. Depending on the circumstances, you may be forced to pay medical expenses, both immediately after the accident and in the future. You may also lose wages if your injuries prevent you from going to work. In addition, car accidents can result in other tangible and intangible losses. Filing a car accident claim gives you a chance to recover your losses.
In addition to recovering financial losses, you may also choose to file a car accident claim in order to hold the negligent party responsible for the damage they caused. When you file a claim, this individual is forced to acknowledge the way their actions have affected your life. Likewise, filing a car accident claim may serve to reduce the risk of future accidents by drawing attention to the dangers of negligence on the road.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
When you file a car accident claim, many different factors can affect the outcome.
Some of the factors you should consider as you prepare to file include:
- how the accident has changed your life — Considering the impact the accident has had on your life not only helps you to decide whether you should file a claim, but it can also help you prepare stronger arguments if you choose to move forward. Remember to consider both the financial and personal impact of the accident.
- negligence — You cannot win money in a car accident case unless you can show that negligence was a factor in your car accident. However, the state of Florida will not prevent you from collecting even if you share fault for the accident. Talk to your attorney to learn more.
- statute of limitations — The state of Florida requires all car accident claims to be properly filed within a specific amount of time after the accident occurs. For this reason, it is important to act quickly.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
Several different factors will impact the amount of compensation you can collect when you file a car accident claim. For example, claimants who have more severe injuries that cause lasting disability will collect more than claimants who are expected to make a full recovery.
Likewise, if you can show that the car accident had a substantial impact on your financial health and personal life, your settlement amount will likely be higher. For a more accurate assessment of how much money you could collect, contact an attorney.
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Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
If you win your car accident case, you may receive several different types of damages as part of your financial settlement.
Some of the damages that may be included in your settlement are as follows:
- damages for medical expenses — This may include payments for past medical bills related to the crash, as well as additional benefits to cover the medical expenses you are expected to incur in the future.
- compensation for lost wages — You could receive compensation for the wages you have already lost because of your injuries, as well as additional wages you will lose in the future if you are not expected to recover immediately.
- compensation for intangible losses — In addition to specific financial losses, your car accident may result in other types of losses, such as pain and suffering or emotional trauma.
- punitive damages — If the party that caused your car accident acted out of maliciousness, you may also be awarded punitive damages in your settlement.
Auto Accident Rates In Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte is part of Charlotte County.
In this county:
- Nearly 3,000 auto accidents occurred in 2017. The number increased slightly from the previous year.
- 27 people lost their lives in auto accidents during 2017.
- Nearly 1,600 injuries were recorded in auto accidents that occurred during 2017.
List Of Car Accident Lawyers Serving Port Charlotte
Filing a car accident claim in Port Charlotte can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially when you are already dealing with the aftermath of the car accident. Hiring the right attorney to help you with your case can make all the difference by providing you with the resources you need to succeed in court.
At Florin|Roebig, we employ a team of attorneys who serve clients throughout the state of Florida.
Here is a list of some of our esteemed legal team who serve Port Charlotte and the surrounding area:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Luca G Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Jordan A. Kolinski
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
If you have been injured in a car accident in the Port Charlotte area, the best thing you can do is file a car accident claim. With a strong claim, you will be able to recover the damages you are owed and begin rebuilding your life. To maximize your chances of winning in court, please contact the experienced attorneys at Florin|Roebig for assistance.
