Automobile Accident Attorney In Gainesville, FL
No one expects to be involved in a life-altering car accident. Aside from enduring any lingering post-traumatic stress and resulting injuries, those fortunate enough to survive a motorized collision must often bear the responsibility of paying for costly car repairs and medical bills and struggle due to lost paychecks. While most drivers expect their insurance policy to cover the majority of these expenses, this seldom is the case. Insurance companies are known for minimizing liability to provide policyholders with the minimum amount of compensation. Without the help of an experienced accident attorney, car crash victims are likely to receive lousy settlement offers from their insurance companies.
If you’re involved in a car accident, you need legal counsel you can trust. Contact a personal injury attorney in Gainesville, FL, with Stout Defense, P.A., to defend your rights and recover the compensation you deserve for any resulting injuries, medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages.
Your Rights Under Florida Law
Florida is one of the few remaining states with no-fault regulations for motorized collisions, making insurance filing all the more complicated. To summarize, every registered driver in the State of Florida is required to hold a car insurance policy with personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. In the event of a car accident, regardless of the party deemed responsible for the collision, each person involved in the accident must file for compensation through their PIP insurance policy — hence the “no-fault” moniker. Unfortunately, PIP will typically only cover:
- 80 percent of the medical bills incurred from the collision
- 60 percent of any lost wages resulting from the accident
- Up to $10,000 total
This compensation is not always enough to help car crash victims. Insufficient compensation, coupled with high insurance deductibles, leaves policyholders unable to recover their financial stability following a car accident.
Do I Need A Lawyer If The Car Accident Wasn't My Fault?
Yes! Florida law contains a set of exceptions to the no-fault regulations that allow motorists to file legal actions against other drivers responsible for the accident. A driver can bring a lawsuit against another motorist for severe injuries not covered by insurance. Similarly, if the car accident occurred due to someone else’s negligence, Florida law still allows drivers to seek compensation through court.
How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
A Gainesville personal injury lawyer can help you dispute denied or inadequate settlement offers from your insurance company. We help gather evidence, build a strong case, negotiate on your behalf, represent you in court, and, in general, get the most compensation for your case.
Review & Dispute Settlement Offers
An auto insurance lawyer can review any settlement offers from your insurance company before you accept them to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, once policyholders accept a settlement offer, they lose their rights to pursue any additional compensation. Policyholders should enlist experienced legal representation promptly following the car accident.
Determine & Sue For Negligence
An accident lawyer can also help you determine whether negligence played a part in your accident. If so, you can seek compensation from the negligent party for economic and non-economic damages, including lost income, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other types of losses. Some examples of negligence that can lead to a car accident and that policyholders can sue for include the following.
- Drunk Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Drowsy Or Fatigued Driving
- Speeding
- Failing To Stop Or Yield
- Defective Vehicle
- Texting While Driving
Seek Compensation For Serious Injuries
Some accidents leave drivers with injuries beyond just cuts or scrapes. Rather than a tiny fend bender, large-scale crashes can leave victims to deal with the consequences. Car crash victims with serious, debilitating injuries can also seek compensation from the at-fault driver — don’t hassle with sky-high medical bills. Some common injuries considered severe under Florida state law include the following.
- Back & Spinal Cord Injuries
- Head & Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Fractured Bones
- Whiplash & Other Neck Injuries
- Internal Organ Damage
- Disfigurement & Scarring
Get The Help You Need Right Away
When it’s time to file for compensation, enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer with enough experience to successfully handle car accident cases. With years of experience helping car crash victims recover, Adam Stout knows how to explore all options to obtain the most compensation for his clients, including negotiating settlements and taking cases to trial. Stout Defense, P.A. provides car crash victims with personalized legal services at every step of the way, making sure to address any new developments in the case. Don’t wait to get your life back on solid financial ground. Contact Stout Defense, P.A. today, and get a free car accident consultation.