When a car accident causes life-changing or serious injuries, it can leave you and your loved ones devastated. Luckily, you can recover damages for your losses if someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
The Spring Hill car accident lawyers at Florida Lawyers 360 have been protecting vehicle accident victims’ rights in Florida for a long time.
Our competent attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve for your Spring Hill car accident. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys can help you recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
To speak to a Florida Lawyers 360 representative, call 954-448-7355 today.
How Much Does a Spring Hill Auto Accident Lawyer Cost?
A Spring Hill accident attorney operates under a contingency payment structure like all other personal injury attorneys. Your lawyer will not charge you at an hourly rate, nor will they demand any upfront fees.
You will be required to pay them a percentage of your settlement if they manage to recover compensation for you. If your lawyer fails to recover compensation, you will not owe them anything.
What Should I Do After a Spring Hill, FL, Car Accident?
After a car accident, there are some steps you can take to protect your legal rights. Following a motor vehicle accident in Spring Hill, Florida, you should:
Call 911
You should contact the police immediately after a car accident, whether it is a major one or a minor fender-bender. The officers will prepare an accident report. Florida laws require you to call 911 if the crash caused serious injuries or significant property damage.
Check on Others, But Do Not Leave!
Once you have called the police, proceed to check on the other involved parties. Check if they are ok or if anyone needs urgent medical attention. Do not leave the scene because you still need to gather vital information.
Exchange Information
As you wait for law enforcement to arrive, exchange information with the other drivers, passengers, and eyewitnesses at the scene. The information you swap with the other involved parties should include their official names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, the makes and models of their cars, and above all, their insurance information.
Record the Scene
Document the entire accident scene by taking as much photographic and video evidence as you can. Make sure you capture close-up pictures of the injuries and damages to make your evidence more compelling.
Never Admit Fault
Do not take the blame for the crash. You should let the investigators and lawyers do their job of determining fault. Also, avoid sharing any details of your accident until your case is done.
Seek Medical Attention
See a physician immediately for treatment. Even if you feel ok, make sure you get checked for internal injuries and head injuries. Remember to ask for your medical report because you might need it for your lawsuit.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance carrier to report the motor vehicle crash. Be careful what you say in your report because even your own insurer can use your statements against you to minimize your compensation.
Call a Car Accident Attorney!
Lastly, call a car accident lawyer. If you are a Spring Hill resident, call a motor vehicle accident attorney from Florida Lawyers 360. You will get advice on how you will handle communications with all parties.
When Should I Get a Lawyer For My Auto Accident?
It would be best if you got a lawyer right after your auto accident because the lawyers and adjusters from the insurance company will also begin evaluating your injury claim immediately.
A lawyer has the knowledge and experience needed to tackle a car accident claim and will help level the playing field when you come up against the legal team from the insurance companies.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Our lawyers can help your car accident claim through their experience with:
Case Preparation and Filing a Lawsuit
A credible accident lawyer can help with your case preparations by organizing investigations to determine the at-fault party. The investigations will involve analysts and experts from various fields. With the help of these experts, your attorney will:
- Evaluate police reports
- Analyze video and photographic evidence.
- Assess your medical report
- Reconstruct the scene of the crash
- Consult medical and traffic experts
- Review the driving records of both parties
Once your attorney believes they have collected enough compelling evidence, he/she will proceed to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Settlement Negotiation
After determining liability for the crash, an automobile accident attorney will begin settlement negotiations with the insurance carrier.
An attorney will counteract any under-hand tactics that insurance companies may try to use and protect you from exploitative settlements.
Trial Preparation and Representation
After unsuccessful negotiations, the next stage is going to trial. An experienced and dedicated auto accident lawyer can guide you through the litigation process by filing the necessary paperwork to begin a court case. Lawyers from Florida Lawyers 360 can help you prepare for trial.
Most importantly, a lawyer will offer representation before a judge and jury. Since they have been helping others with their accident claims, a lawyer has the experience, skills, and knowledge needed to champion your legal rights.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
After a car crash in Spring Hill, Florida, you can recover the following types of damages:
Economic Damages
Economic compensatory damages cover the accident-related financial costs you have incurred since the day of the accident.
They cover medical expenses like ambulance rides, ER visits, surgeries, extended hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, therapy, and other future medical expenses.
They also cover lost wages, future lost wages, and property damage.
Non-economic Damages
Compensatory non-economic damages seek to compensate car accident victims for the emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
These damages also compensate victims for any trauma caused by their disability or disfigurement.
Punitive Action
A Spring Hill, Florida judge can award you punitive damages to punish the at-fault driver for negligence or wrongful actions.
They are also meant to discourage the at-fault motorist from participating in the same dangerous actions.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive For My Damages?
The amount of damages you should expect to receive for your car accident claim is based on:
- How your life has been affected by the crash
- The at-fault party
- The nature of the crash
- The types and extent of injuries you suffered
- The amount of property damage
- And many others…
Your car accident lawyer can help you estimate your claim’s value after considering all of the above factors.
How is Fault Determined in Florida?
The following specific rules determine fault in Florida:
Florida’s No-Fault Law
Before anything else, you should remember that Florida uses the no-fault policy and personal injury protection insurance to cover car crash victims.
PIP insurance means that you will have to turn to your own insurance carrier for compensation no matter who was liable for the accident. There are notable exceptions in Florida’s no-fault policy.
For instance, if you suffered permanent disfigurement or injury, you can recover compensation from the other motorist’s insurance provider.
Comparative Fault in Florida
Florida’s comparative fault rule allows a judge to rule that both parties were accountable for the crash, effectively affecting any recoverable compensation. The amount to be reduced in your compensation is determined by your degree of shared fault.
For example, if a judge rules that you should receive compensation totaling $100,000 and you were 30% liable, your damages will be minimized by 30% or $30,000. So, your total compensation would be $100,000 less $30,000, which would be $70,000.
Strict Time Limits Exist For Filing a Claim in Florida?
Car accident claims in Florida have a statute of limitations of four years. In other words, Spring Hill car accident victims have four years from the day the accident happened to file a car accident claim.
After four years, your right to pursue compensation expires, and your claim will be denied if you don’t adhere to this statute of limitations. Florida Lawyers 360 will advise you on all the crucial timeframes you should adhere to.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
An attorney will help you submit a claim form to your insurance carrier, including documentation of all your incurred bills.
- Claim investigation: Your lawyer will then collaborate with an adjuster to determine your recoverable damages and the at-fault parties.
- Policy review: Once investigations are concluded, your lawyer and the adjuster will evaluate your policy carefully to determine what is covered under your policy and what is not. You will also be informed of any deductibles that may apply to your case.
- Damage evaluation: Your adjuster may hire experts from various fields to assess the degree of the damage accurately.
- Payment: Finally, you will be contacted by your insurance adjuster regarding your settlement.
What if the Other Driver Is Under-Insured or Does Not Have Insurance?
If you get into a car crash with a motorist with no car insurance, you will have to turn to your own insurer for compensation.
You can purchase an uninsured motorist coverage policy from your insurance carrier to protect you when you get into a motor vehicle accident with an uninsured motorist found to be liable for the accident.
An auto accident attorney can also advise you on pursuing an injury lawsuit to recover compensation from the reckless or at-fault driver.
File Your Claim with Our Spring Hill Car Accident Lawyers
Following a car crash in Spring Hill that injured you or someone you know, you will need the legal services of a Florida car accident attorney. Florida Lawyers 360 have a good track record in recovering damages for car crash victims throughout Florida.
If you need help in pursuing compensation for your damages, our lawyers have enough experience and resources to help you. Don’t delay. Call Florida Lawyers 360 on 954-448-7355 to arrange a free case evaluation.
