A motor vehicle accident that results in injuries means that crucial steps must be taken to protect the legal rights of accident victims. Once the proper medical care has been secured and law enforcement has been notified, contacting Tallahassee car accident lawyers as soon as possible can make life easier for injury victims and their loved ones.
For almost any serious injury that occurs as the result of an auto accident, medical bills quickly start piling up. While all Florida drivers are required to carry a personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy, it will only pay 80% of medical treatments that it covers. This stress can make it difficult for you to concentrate on getting better. Contacting our law firm can help you determine if filing a car accident claim in Tallahassee is a wise decision.
The skilled car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig are compassionate and experienced and have great relationships with the local community. We can provide the assistance and knowledge you need to ensure your legal rights are protected. If you have an accident in downtown Tallahassee or on the FSU campus, Florin|Roebig is here to help.
Triple-board-certified Florin|Roebig attorney Tommy Roebig says, “Seeking compensation after being injured in a car accident is a complicated process that can go more smoothly with the right board-certified attorney involved. Our legal team handles all the hassles of speaking with each insurance company, including that of the other driver, so you can focus on healing.”
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing a claim after a car accident is a complex part of the legal process, no matter what your insurance company tries to sell you on it. That same company will deny your misfiled claim and be very quick to trick you into being the reason why, which is why it’s so important to have qualified legal representation.
Between the time that you have the accident and you contact your insurance provider, you should collect a few pieces of paperwork.
Examples of evidence to use against the at-fault driver can include:
- Photographic evidence of the scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
- Video of the same
- Statements from bystanders
- A personal account of the event
- Documenting injuries and tracking symptoms
- Medical assessment charts
- Police reports
- Receipts for medical care and auto repairs
After you call us for your free consultation and we confirm that you have a case against the at-fault party, we’ll use this information to begin your claim. Our investigators can fill in any gaps, and we’ll take care of the rest, including letting you know what’s owed in filing fees and meeting courthouse deadlines.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
The question usually isn’t whether you’re capable of filing a car accident claim and receiving a settlement offer. It’s more about whether your economic and non-economic damages will be covered and how much you’ll be taken advantage of by the insurance adjusters and their company attorneys.
Have a small claim or a good knowledge of Florida laws? Then you may be just fine. However, if you’re severely injured, lost a loved one to wrongful death, or simply get turned around by the legal process, you’ll save a lot of trouble by calling us.
The legal team at Florin|Roebig will walk you through how we operate, what you can expect to pay in fees, what you can expect from a fair settlement, and how we’ll handle things if it turns into a car accident lawsuit. Our representatives are available 24 hours a day and are happy to answer any questions or direct you to the appropriate party for help.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Florida offers a minefield of legal challenges for anyone suing after a car accident. It’s a no-fault state, so you file the first insurance claims with your own company against your PIP coverage. In the meantime, knowing whether House Bill (HB) 837 applies to your case is essential. It became law on March 24, 2023, so accidents after that fall under a different set of laws than those before HB 837’s effective date.
Previous laws in the state of Florida give the claimant up to four years on the statute of limitations for injury due to the accident, even if the injury presents later. Fault determinations set what percentage of your settlement you can receive and what percentage you may have to pay if you bear partial responsibility.
This is pure comparative negligence, and the other driver can sue you for your fault percentage, even if it’s only 1%. HB 837, on the other hand, doesn’t allow the other party to sue if they’re found more than 50% at fault for the accident. This is modified comparative negligence with the 50% bar rule and a two-year statute of limitations.
Fault In Car Accident Cases
Insurance representatives, lawyers, and the court system usually determine fault in car accidents. Negligent drivers shouldn’t be the cause of your suffering, but they often are. And unfortunately, we usually have to prove their negligence to get you a fair settlement.
“The good news is that our years of experience and client testimonials speak to our skill in proving that your fault is low to non-existent while the other driver is the more at-fault party. We consider all of the evidence and put our efforts into winning the maximum compensation for you,” states attorney Tommy Roebig.
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Car Accident Rates In Tallahassee
As the state capital of Florida, Tallahassee is rich in history. One historic destination is The Capitol Complex, which contains the historic capital and a museum on political history. The population is 196,169, but Tallahassee had over two million visitors in the last year alone, driving up unsafe traffic behaviors.
Leon County driving conditions were as follows in 2023:
- 6,161 total accidents
- 3,876 people reported injuries
- 35 accidents resulted in fatalities, with 38 total fatalities
- Five accidents involved alcohol and/or drug consumption
Liability In Car Accident Cases
Strict liability affects cases in which the driver who caused the accident is held responsible even if they are not considered negligent in doing so. Because negligence addresses intent, most cases have to prove that the driver knew they were neglecting their duty of care (or what a reasonable person would do in the situation) and did so anyway.
For example, say a driver fails to make a complete stop at an intersection and runs it, striking the vehicle with the right of way. That driver was negligent. Strict liability argues that the driver is liable whether they knew the laws or not.
When vicarious liability comes into play, claims are made against a vehicle’s owner rather than the driver. This most often happens when someone loans out their car, has company vehicles for employee use, or has a teenage driver. The reason you would file a claim against the owner in these cases is if the driver lacks the ability to pay the damages they caused.
Contact us at Florin|Roebig if you need help figuring out which of these legal arguments apply to your case. We’ll explain what the other driver is liable for, whether someone else is liable, and what damages you can expect.
Understanding Consideration Of Negligence And Degree Of Fault
For your claims against another driver to be valid, you or your car accident attorney must establish and prove that the other driver caused the accident through negligent behavior. Under Florida laws new and old, any settlement you’re granted can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the accident.
Forms of negligence in car accident claims that are filed by accident victims include:
- Gross negligence occurs when a driver seriously disregards other drivers’ safety and does not respect traffic laws.
- Comparative negligence states that every driver is given a portion of the fault and granted damages accordingly.
- Contributory negligence states that a claim cannot be filed to seek payment if a person is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident.
A car accident seldom happens due to the negligence of only one driver; therefore, courts will usually allocate at least some share of fault for each driver.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Everyday life gets derailed by most major life events. Car accidents happen in an instant, but the recovery process can take a lifetime. All aspects of your life can be affected when you’re in an accident.
You may take a hit financially and medically. Your relationships may be compromised or severed. Your sense of stability can be shattered when you’re unable to perform tasks central to your job or daily life, leaving you to find new ways of working and living.
At Florin|Roebig, our role and our goal is to support your needs and advocate for your rights. We’ll work with you to reduce the strain of impact and ensure you have the best quality of life after a car accident.
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FAQs About Tallahassee Car Accident Lawyers
Who is at fault for a car accident in Florida?
The at-fault driver in a car accident is the one who behaved negligently, meaning they took an action that was careless or reckless without regard for how it might affect others. In Florida, fault may be split between multiple drivers.
Who pays for car damage in Florida no-fault?
Initially, you file a claim with your insurance company. If you’re not at fault for the car accident, you may be able to file claims against the other driver’s insurance and the driver personally. If vicarious liability applies in your case, you may be able to file against the owner of the vehicle as well.
What is the 14-day accident law in Florida?
Following an accident in Florida, you have 14 days to see a medical professional about any injury or lack thereof from your accident. Some injuries do not show up immediately after an accident and may not present for years. In Florida, you must establish a baseline visit where you’re examined, even if you feel fine. For any injury, your legal representation has to prove that it was caused directly by the accident.
How To Get Help From Florin|Roebig Attorneys
Our attorneys at Florin|Roebig are standing by to assist car accident victims and your loved ones. With over 1 billion dollars in verdicts secured for our clients, you can rest assured we will help you get the most out of your claim.
Speaking with one of our car accident attorneys for a free case evaluation can help you get started in seeking compensation for your losses and covering the property damage and medical expenses from the accident.
Learn more by contacting one of our skilled car accident attorneys in Tallahassee at Florin|Roebig for a free consultation today.
Our Jacksonville office is ready to get you started on a claim for your car or truck accident at:
1506 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
You can also reach out to us online via chat or fillable form. Prefer to speak over the phone? You can find our phone numbers listed on the Contact Us page of our website.
