Florida Car Accident Lawyers

Being involved in an auto accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. From dealing with injuries and medical bills to navigating insurance claims and lost wages, the aftermath is overwhelming. At Williams Law, P.A., our experienced Florida auto accident attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve. With a deep understanding of Florida’s unique laws and a commitment to our clients, we’re ready to guide you through every step of the process.

Challenges with Florida Car Accident Insurance Claims

Florida’s no-fault insurance system is designed to simplify the claims process, but more often leads to confusion and complications. Some of the most common challenges in car accident insurance claims include:

• PIP Coverage Limits: Florida requires drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage, but this may not be enough to cover serious injuries, especially in catastrophic accidents.
• Disputed Fault: Insurance companies may argue that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident, reducing the amount they are willing to pay.
• Low Settlement Offers: Insurance adjusters often offer settlements far below what is needed to cover medical expenses, lost income, and property damage.
• Delayed Payments: Insurers may delay paying your claim in hopes that you will accept a lower offer or drop your case altogether.

How Does Comparative Negligence Law Work?

Florida’s modified comparative negligence law follows the “50 Percent Bar Rule.” According to this rule, you can recover damages if your fault does not exceed 50 percent. If the courts determine that you are 50 percent or more to blame for the crash, you cannot recover any damages. However, your recovery will be proportionately reduced if your fault is less than 50%. Additionally, due to the statute of limitations, personal injury claims must be filed within four years of the accident date. If this deadline is not met, you may lose the right to seek compensation for your injuries.

Another aspect to consider under Florida’s legal framework is that personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date due to the statute of limitations. If this deadline is not met, you may lose the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Therefore, prompt action is crucial when dealing with any car accident case involving injuries or wrongful death.

Williams Law, P.A. will handle the entire legal process for car accidents. We aim to ensure you receive the most compensation to make you whole again after a car accident.

Handling Complex Insurance Issues

Car accidents often involve multiple insurance policies, from your own PIP coverage to liability claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance. We are experienced in handling the complexities of Florida’s car accident insurance laws, including:

• PIP (Personal Injury Protection) claims: Ensuring you receive the full benefits under your PIP policy, including medical expenses and lost wages.
• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) claims: Pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance for serious injuries that exceed your PIP limits.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, we’ll help you file a claim with your own UM/UIM policy.

We’ll handle all aspects of your insurance claims, ensuring you receive every penny you are entitled to under Florida law.

Common Types of Car Accidents

• Rear-end collisions: Perhaps the most common car accident and, fortunately, the least likely to cause serious injuries. Other drivers often become distracted on the road by using a cell phone, fiddling with the radio, or otherwise being preoccupied with something different than the safe operation of their vehicle. Other times, a negligent driver may follow too closely, causing a collision when you stop at a stop light or slow down for traffic.
• Sideswipe Collisions: As with rear-end collisions, a driver may be distracted when they enter your traffic lane, and the cars brush against one another, causing damage and loss of control of your vehicle. This can result in spinouts or forcing you into a ditch or lane divider. These types of car accidents are more often on the highways or interstates of Florida and often at very high speeds so that injuries can be severe.
• “T-Bone” Collisions: These often occur at stoplights, where a driver may enter the intersection to “beat” a red light, causing a front-to-side collision where the vehicles are perpendicular to one another (hence the “T” shape of the two cars). These collisions can be severe, as most vehicles are less reinforced on the sides, with mere inches of plastic between you and another vehicle striking your door.
• Head-on Collisions: This is the most terrifying and frequently damaging car accident, despite the many technological advances we’ve enjoyed, such as airbags, collapsing front fenders, and seatbelts. The speeds of each vehicle involved in a head-on collision are effectively doubled, causing massive damage to cars, SUVs, and their drivers and passengers.

Typical Injuries That Occur After Car Accidents

Many common injuries can occur after a car accident, including:

• Neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Bone fractures, including wrist, arm, and leg fractures.
• Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussion
• Spinal cord injuries
• Psychological trauma and anxiety

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Accident in Florida?

Williams Law, P.A. will investigate the facts surrounding your car accident and determine the extent of the damage. As experts in understanding Florida’s statutory caps, our accident lawyers can assess your losses and estimate what settlement amount should be paid for your injuries. We will work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation under Florida law.

Economic Damages

These are known as unique or tangible losses and refer to the measurable financial losses that a person incurs due to a car accident. These damages are generally objective and have a clear monetary value.

• Medical expenses: This includes reimbursement for past and future medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy.
• Lost wages: If the accident caused you to miss work or resulted in decreased earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
• Property damage: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing your vehicle or other damaged property.

Non-Economic Damages

These are known as general or intangible losses, encompassing the more subjective and non-monetary losses a person may experience due to the accident. These damages are often challenging to quantify precisely.

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced because of the accident.
• Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances resulting from the accident.

In many car accident settlements, economic and non-economic damages are considered to provide a comprehensive compensation package for the injured party. The goal is to fairly compensate the individual for the tangible financial losses incurred and the intangible human costs associated with the accident.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need legal assistance in Tampa or anywhere else in Florida, contact Williams Law, P.A. today to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our team is here to provide you with the support and guidance you need during this challenging time. Call us at 1-800-451-6786 or fill out our online contact form.