The 55+ community of The Villages is famous for being one of the top planned communities in the United States and the largest golfing community in the country. However, rapid population growth in the area and a heavy reliance on cars also puts the “Disney World for retirees” at risk for car accidents. In 2023, Sumter County, where The Villages is partially located, reported 2,077 crashes, which caused 1,562 injuries and 23 deaths. In Marion County, there were 6,928 crashes, leading to 5,664 injuries and 100 deaths.
For many, being in a severe car accident is the scariest thing they’ve had to endure. But often it’s what comes next that adds insult to injury. You may have steep medical bills or other expenses as a result of the accident. You may have even lost a loved one.
Whatever losses you’ve suffered, you may be able to file a car accident claim for compensation. Keep reading to learn more about how claims work in The Villages and how a car accident lawyer can help.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing most auto accident claims in The Villages involves the following steps.
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- Document injuries and damages by taking photos of the accident and any vehicle damage and keeping injury-related documents like medical bills.
- File a police report, which you can do by cooperating with the authorities after they arrive on the scene. They’ll file a report that you can access a copy of later.
- Notify your insurance company that you were involved in a crash as soon as possible to comply with your policy and get the form to file a claim.
- Gather your evidence (accident photos, the police report, medical documentation, etc.) to support your claim.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney before filing a claim. Law firms often provide free case reviews that will help you determine your next steps and whether you should hire a lawyer.
- File your claim along with any supporting evidence. If you hire a lawyer, they’ll ensure you have a solid claim and likely file on your behalf.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
While you don’t have to have a lawyer to file a car accident claim, working with car accident attorneys helps you navigate the claim-filing process.
Lawyers ensure you’re adequately considering the damages you’ve incurred, and they stand by you against the legal representatives of the negligent party who will try to downplay what you’ve been through to minimize the damages awarded.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Record-breaking verdict attorney Chad K. Florin advises, “If you’re dealing with major losses from a car accident like severe injuries or the death of a loved one, it’s absolutely in your best interest to hire a lawyer. More complicated cases, like those involving multiple parties, a business, or disputed facts are also best pursued with a car accident lawyer. Even if you think your case is simple, it’s best to reach out for a free case review and consider your legal options.”
Filing a car accident claim in The Villages begins the process of getting you compensated for your losses. The experienced car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig have won their clients an average of more than $1 million in compensation and are ready to assist you in claiming the compensation you deserve. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
The Villages follows Florida state laws, Sumter or Marion County laws, and local ordinances, which all shape the outcome of your car accident case.
Traffic Laws
Whether on the state or local level (specific to The Villages or Sumter or Marion County), traffic laws are often essential for determining the outcome of a car accident claim. If one driver violated a law such as speeding or drinking and driving, that usually proves their negligence—failure to take proper care while doing something like operating a motor vehicle. This negligence would likely make them responsible for compensating anyone injured in the accident they caused.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
Under Florida’s no-fault law, all state-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—and by extension, The Villages—follows a no-fault system that not only requires certain insurance coverage, but requires drivers who get into an accident to turn to that coverage first if they’re injured. However, in the case of serious injury or other circumstances like property damage, car accident victims can file a claim against the at-fault party or their 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
The Villages car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: These are claims filed with one’s own insurance company, which can provide quick and straightforward, but comparatively limited coverage.
- Third-party personal injury claims: These claims are filed against the at-fault party or, more commonly, their insurance company. They are usually harder to obtain and take longer, but can result in much more compensation for a broader range of damages.
- Personal injury lawsuits: Car accident victims may need to file a lawsuit with the Sumter or Marion County court if the car insurance agency won’t offer fair compensation. This will usually end with the insurance company coming to the table with a better offer, but may go to trial, where the case will be decided by a jury or judge.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes who’s legally responsible for compensation when someone is harmed in an accident.
Car accident cases in The Villages may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: If someone’s found primarily negligent in a car accident case, they’re usually liable for compensation.
- Strict liability: Sometimes a party in a car accident case is liable whether they were negligent or not. This often happens when a manufacturer’s car part (like an airbag or brake cable) doesn’t perform as intended, which contributes to the accident or makes injuries worse.
- Vicarious liability: Other times, one party may be liable because of the actions of another. In car accident cases, this often involves a business who’s liable because their on-the-job employee caused an accident that hurt someone.
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 share fault in a car accident and the percentage of fault each party is assigned lowers the total compensation they can receive. If someone is more than 50% at fault, they can’t collect compensation.
Attorney Chad Florin explains, “Under modified comparative negligence, if you were found 20% negligent for an accident you were injured in and your damages totaled $100,000, you would be awarded $80,000.”
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
A car accident in The Villages can turn an idyllic life after retirement into anything but, leading to painful injuries, disability, steep medical bills, and even the loss of a loved one.
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 The Villages 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
With a wealth of experience and a reputation for success, Florin|Roebig has earned its place as a premier law firm in Florida. Their team of dedicated board-certified attorneys is committed to providing personalized service and fighting for their clients’ rights, ensuring that they receive the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, emotional trauma, and other damages. Help support your path to recovery by reaching out for a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
In the direct aftermath of a car accident, you should always put your and your loved ones’ safety first and get medical care as soon as possible, but if you’re able to, a few best practices can potentially lead to an easier or more successful claim later on.
After a car accident in The Villages:
- Check for injuries and, if needed, seek medical attention immediately.
- Contact law enforcement to report the crash and get the police to file an accident report.
- Gather information that may be hard to obtain later, like witness contact details.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures and video.
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How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
If you or a loved one were injured or killed in a car accident, it’s time to file your car accident claim in The Villages before the statute of limitations in Florida runs out.
The experienced, dedicated, successful legal team at Florin|Roebig handles claims like yours all over the U.S. We have a track record of winning significant judgments for our clients in Florida, with a total of more than $1 billion in compensation. We’re prepared to put our years of claim and trial experience to work for you.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
With over 30 years of experience, Florin|Roebig has shown its excellence not only through its high compensation track record, but also by being recognized as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America every year since 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average car accident settlement in The Villages, Florida?
Most car accident settlements are for fairly minor incidents, so end up settling for thousands or tens of thousands, but the amount can vary widely depending on the severity of your accident injuries and many other factors. Contact a car accident attorney for a better idea of how much you can expect from your case.
What is the 14-day accident law in Florida?
The 14-day accident law states that you have 14 days to get medical care after a car accident in order to get your medical bills covered by insurance.
Can I sue if someone hits me while I’m driving a golf cart?
If you were hit while operating a golf cart and it was the other person’s fault, you may be able to file a claim against the individual or their insurance company. The specifics of how you pursue compensation depend on whether the other driver hit you with their car or another golf cart, and other circumstances.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
A Villages car accident lawyer should be well-versed in the local laws, demographics, and unique aspects of the community that may influence a case, such as golf cart accidents and age-related concerns. The Attorneys at Florin|Roebig are dedicated to providing specialized expertise and careful research to get you the best results possible.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in The Villages include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Michael L. Walker, B.C.S.
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
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 Harbor Office
Primary & Administrative Office
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, Florida 34683
Filing a car accident claim is often the best way to get help covering injury-related expenses and justice after a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
The trial attorneys at Florin|Roebig have over 30 years of experience winning car accident cases like yours. We have offices around the country and ample resources to get your case resolved with the compensation you deserve. Through these awards, you can begin rebuilding your life after the accident. Contact us to get a free case evaluation.
