You may be entitled to a settlement if you have been in an accident caused by someone else’s action or lack of care. To collect this money, you must file a car accident claim. Working with the skilled car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig is the best way to ensure you have all the necessary resources to file a strong claim and collect a fair settlement amount covering your related expenses and losses.
Accident Statistics for Palm Beach County, Florida
The following are the 2023 car accident statistics for Palm Beach County, Florida, where Wellington is located.
- In 2023, 26,243 accidents were reported in Palm Beach County, Florida.
- From these accidents, 16,241 injuries were reported.
- Sadly, 188 people lost their lives in one of these accidents.
- 6,951 of the reported accidents were classified as hit-and-runs.
- There were 451 motorcycle accidents in Palm Beach County in 2023.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Auto accident victims in Wellington, Florida, are entitled to seek recompense if they have been injured or have had their property damaged during the car accident. In insurance and legal terms, this is known as an auto accident claim, which accident victims can file to receive damages that can be financial or non-financial.
Misconceptions surrounding car accident claims can include the following:
- Auto accident lawyers are not needed if you have insurance.
- Claims can only be filed by car accident victims with profound injuries.
- The insurance company of the at-fault party will cover everything
- You can take as long as you need to file a car accident claim
- Auto accident lawyers are too pricey to hire
- You have to take whatever settlement you are offered
- The only way to receive compensation is by filing a lawsuit
“Car accidents can be stressful for those who were involved and their families. If you are having trouble with your settlement or would like to ease some of the stress, hire a qualified accident attorney to handle your claim,” suggests Chad K. Florin, an esteemed attorney of Florin|Roebig.
When you are ready to file a car accident claim, the following are steps you can take:
- Gather evidence for your claim by recording and photographing everything you can while at the car accident scene.
- Review your insurance policy when you have a moment and ensure you understand what it will and will not cover.
- Call a Florin|Roebig accident lawyer when organizing to file your claim and request a free consultation.
- Get a copy of the police report before you contact your insurance company.
- Call your insurance representative to start the claims process so you can obtain your payment quickly.
Wellington, Florida Laws For Car Accident Cases
Wellington citizens should be aware of car accident laws. Two of these laws are the most important to understand: the statute of limitations for personal injury claims and the law surrounding fault.
The first thing motorists should know is that Florida is a no-fault state. Every documented Florida driver must have personal injury protection insurance (PIP) to cover medical costs and property damage, regardless of who caused the car accident.
The second thing residents of Wellington should know is that the statute of limitations for car accident claims in Florida is four years. The statute of limitations is the time frame in which you can bring your accident claim against the at-fault driver. File your claim by this deadline to confirm your right to file.
Fault and Liability in Car Accident Cases
Negligence, which happens when a motorist does anything that directly causes an accident, is another noteworthy legal term with which auto accident victims will become acquainted.
Factors that can determine fault in auto accidents include:
- The negligence of a driver
- A driver operating under the influence of a substance
- The condition of the roads when the car accident happened
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident
- Whether or not a car malfunction occurred
In certain circumstances, an individual can be at fault for an auto accident but not liable for it. For example, if a car malfunctions because the brakes were flawed due to a manufacturing error, causing the vehicle to brake improperly, the driver would be at fault but may not be liable for the accident.
In this example, the driver may be at fault, but the brake manufacturing company will be held strictly liable.
“When you have been in a car accident, you are likely to be more vulnerable to the bad faith tactics of insurance companies. Contact a qualified and trusted car accident attorney to help you through the entire process, from filing your claim to filing a lawsuit if necessary,” encourages attorney Chad K. Florin.
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Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
In car accident claims, negligence is any conduct or activity that directly results in injury, damage to property, or other significant consequences.
Types of negligence in car accident claims that are filed by accident victims include:
- Gross negligence occurs when a motorist disregards other drivers’ well-being and does not respect traffic laws.
- Comparative negligence occurs when each party is given a portion of the fault, and damages are granted accordingly.
- The Contributory negligence system says a claim cannot be filed to seek compensation if a person is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident.
A car accident rarely occurs due to just one driver’s negligence; therefore, in most cases, courts allocate at least some of the fault to each driver.
Essential information to know about fault in car accidents:
- You may still be able to seek compensation in no-fault states.
- Your portion of fault may lower your settlement.
- In some states, fault can prevent you from seeking damages.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Wellington
If you or a family member has been affected by an accident in Wellington, Florida, the following are necessary steps you need to take immediately.
1. Seek Medical Care
If you have been in a car accident, you need to contact 911 immediately. As soon as you do, a dispatcher will send an ambulance and medical team to the scene fo the accident, as well as the police. The police will investigate the scene of the accident, and the medical team will check out everyone involved to ensure their safety.
2. Collect Contact Information
Information you need to gather includes:
- The names of everyone who was involved in the accident
- Phone numbers for everyone involved in the accident
- The driver’s license numbers for the drivers involved
- Insurance policy and provider information for all drivers
- The license plate numbers for the cars involved
3. Call The Police
In Florida, if you or someone you know has been in an accident that has resulted in injury or damage to your property, you are mandated by law to document it to the police. The police will generate a report that is significant to your insurance provider and car accident attorney.
4. Get Photos Or Videos
You should start taking pictures and videos of the accident scene when you can. The following are important things to document:
- Traffic flow
- Injuries
- Vehicle damage
- Weather conditions
- Record witness statements
5. Report The Accident To Your Insurance Company
You need to make sure to call your insurance provider to inform them of the car accident when you are safely able to do so. The sooner you begin the car accident claim process, the sooner your claim can be processed, and your settlement check can be sent to you.
6. Contact A Florin|Roebig Car Accident Lawyer
It is not unusual for accident victims to run into problems when trying to get a payment from their insurance provider. Insurance companies are notorious for doing whatever they can to save money, including denying rightful claims. Employing a Florin|Roebig accident attorney can help ensure your claim is treated fairly.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
For anyone who has been in an auto accident, the impacts can be far-reaching and touch many parts of their lives.
Different ways an accident can affect your life include:
- Losing your employment
- Losing your capacity to make money
- The price of your pain and suffering
- The loss of your autonomy
- Losing your spouse or partner
- Having to modify your house to accommodate your injuries/disability
- Losing your transportation
- The development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
After an auto accident, deciding which car accident attorney to represent you and your claim is a significant decision that should be made with consideration. The car accident attorneys of Florin|Roebig have won over $1 billion for clients and have been representing them with compassion for forty years.
Advantages that you can gain by hiring a Florin|Roebig car accident lawyer include:
Car Accident Case Experience
The car accident attorneys of Florin|Roebig have been representing car accident victims both in and out of court for four decades. Our attorneys have seen everything insurance companies are ready to do to protect their money, so they are prepared to champion your claim.
A Strong Personal Injury Claim
With a lengthy history of successfully representing many car accident victims, including winning over $1 billion for our clients, the Florin|Roebig team of lawyers knows what it takes to build a strong, prevailing claim. From the collected evidence to how you fill out your paperwork, our lawyers know how to make a concrete car accident claim.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
In most cases, auto accident settlements can be addressed quickly and efficiently outside the court system. However, your Florin|Roebig attorney is prepared to present your claim to a judge when your insurance does not cooperate, or you cannot get the at-fault driver to pay your damages.
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Practical Advice for After a Car Accident
Anyone who has been in a car crash may be shocked and uncertain of what to do next. The following are helpful steps to take in the aftermath of a car accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately by contacting 911 to ensure a medical team checks everyone out.
- Collect evidence immediately by photo and video recording.
- Contact your insurance company so they can start your claim immediately.
- Protect your legal rights by hiring a Florin|Roebig lawyer to ensure you bypass costly mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Florida?
In Florida, car accident attorneys typically charge between 25% and 40% of the settlement you win. Florin|Roebig attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis, so our clients do not have to pay anything upfront.
Should I hire an attorney after a car accident in Florida?
There are many reasons why hiring an auto accident attorney can benefit your accident claim, such as knowing when important deadlines are, what kind of evidence you need, and what tactics an insurance company may use against you.
How long does it take to settle a car accident case in Florida?
Most car accident cases in Florida can be settled in four to six weeks, but several different factors can increase the time needed to process or investigate a claim.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
If you or someone close to you has been in an accident in Wellington, Florida, and you are now ready to hire the best car accident lawyers in Florida, the following are the best ways to contact our offices.
- Call our phone number 24/7
- Our website, florinroebig.com.
- Questions can be emailed to [email protected]
Hiring a qualified, experienced attorney is the best way to ensure you have the help to win your auto accident lawsuit. If you are considering filing a car accident claim in Wellington to collect compensation, please contact the team at Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help with your car accident case.