Car Accident Attorney
You’re driving down the road on a busy Friday afternoon, and suddenly, someone in oncoming traffic turns left right in front of you. They hit the front of your car and cause all of the brake fluid to drain out. You sideswipe another vehicle and plow over an apartment building sign while desperately smashing your now-useless brake pedal.
In this scenario, you have many problems to deal with at once. Your car could be totaled, leaving you with no other transportation to get to work. You may be physically injured and require ongoing medical care. The car you hit may sue you to get their damages repaired, while the property owner responsible for the sign may also seek out payment for their damages.
Car accidents can be devastating and complex. That’s exactly why you need a personal injury attorney to help you navigate claims effectively. At Accident Attorney Group, P.A., we’re here to help you fight for justice.
What Causes Car Accidents?
In 2020, there were 23,268 car accidents in Florida. Over 18,000 people were injured and almost 200 of those people died.
Car accidents often cause injuries that victims are not fully aware of until the adrenaline wears off. The common causes of car accidents are varied and can include:
- Alcohol impairment
- Drug impairment
- Reckless driving
- Ignoring stop signs or stop lights
- Failing to notice road signs
- Texting or talking on the phone
- Using an electronic device
- Distraction from a passenger
- Failing to use turn signals
Even when someone has auto insurance, car accidents can trigger court cases. A car accident lawsuit is a civil matter that often requires a personal injury expert or car accident attorney, like the legal professionals at Accident Attorney Group, P.A.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
At Accident Attorney Group, P.A., our skilled personal injury lawyers specialize in making sure victims like you get the compensation they deserve.
In the example above, one vehicle caused damages to two other vehicles and to personal property (the sign). The initial vehicle caused the remaining damages to happen, even though the driver only hit one vehicle directly.
The third car and the property owner whose sign was ruined may file insurance claims against the initial victim. Victims should not be required to pay for the damages caused by another party.
In addition to property damages, car accident victims may need to go to the hospital to get checked for injuries. Some injuries do not become evident right away. The adrenaline and shock of the accident serve to mask pain.
While each driver may seek out compensation through their insurance, when damages exceed the value of your policy, you may be left with no other option but to file a lawsuit for damages.
Insurance companies are interested in helping their own bottom line — that means they often undervalue the damages for claims that are filed. A personal injury attorney can help you to negotiate effectively to get a settlement that accurately reflects the harm done to you.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Accident Attorney Group, P.A., know how to navigate these difficult situations. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and stop their tactics to delay or deny your claims.
We know how to gather proper evidence before it disappears. We can seek out police records, gather security camera footage, if it exists, help you take photos of the area, and talk to witnesses. We can also collect your related medical bills and details about any ongoing treatments you’re likely to need because of the accident.
With these items in hand, our experienced lawyers can then advise you on the best course of action for collecting damages. Keep in mind that in Florida, you can only collect compensation for personal damages for up to four years after the accident. With this statute of limitations in mind, it’s imperative to contact our team right away.
What Are Personal Injury Damages?
Personal injury damages are condensed into two broad categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to any harm caused by the accident that has a bill attached to it. If you had to go to the emergency room and were transported by ambulance, you have many bills for those services, such as:
- Ambulance transport fees
- EMT service fees
- Emergency room service fees
- Medications used for treatment
- Scans and tests run in the ER
- ER doctor fees
- Paperwork or administrative fees
After the accident, you may face other direct costs. Depending upon the severity of your injuries, there may be expenses for:
- Hospital stays
- Specialist care
- Surgeries
- Chiropractic treatments
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost time from work
As you can imagine, the bills for those services can add up quickly, particularly if you have multiple injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Car accidents cause a number of intangible damages, too. These are referred to as non-economic damages. Examples of these include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional strife
- Anxiety and fear
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Changes in your social life
- Changes in family life
All of these things and more can be caused by car accidents. If a person used to enjoy taking road trips on the weekend but is afraid to drive after the accident, that is a major change and a personal loss.
Likewise, a car accident can cause a spinal injury or whiplash, creating lifelong back or neck pain.
Sometimes, car accidents result in death. When that happens, the victim’s family may be faced with medical and funeral expenses on top of the extreme emotional grief.
When this happens, a personal injury attorney can help the family to collect economic and non-economic damages as outlined above, in addition to funeral and burial expenses through a wrongful death settlement.
Skilled Legal Representation for Car Accident Victims in Florida
You don’t have to face any of these events alone. If you’ve been in an accident, call the experienced car accident attorneys at Accident Attorney Group, P.A., and protect your rights.
Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Best of all, when you work with Accident Attorney Group, P.A., you won’t pay any fees unless we win or settle your case.
