Sometimes in our lives we are suddenly thrust into being a victim of an unfortunate auto accident. It is inconvenient, time-consuming and often overwhelming. Decisions have to me made that can affect you, your family and your finances. One of the most important decisions you will make is whether you need a attorney. If you were not injured in the accident and just have property damage, you probably do not need an attorney and can handle the matter on your own. Most attorneys will not take a property only damage claim. If you are the non-fault party, the other driver’s insurance should cover your property damage claim. If the other driver does not have insurance you can turn it into your insurance carrier if you have collision coverage. If your car is not totaled, take it to where you want it to get it fixed (a dealer or reputable car repair business), and let them deal directly with the insurance company to properly fix your car. If your car is totaled, then get online and try to get a good estimate of the actual cash value or fair market value of the car. Use this amount in your negotiations with the insurance company as it is a good reference point.
If you were injured in an auto accident, it is always wise to consult with an attorney to better understand all your options. In Florida you have to navigate through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverages as well as whether you can file a lawsuit for non-economic damages. In Florida there is a threshold that must be met before a lawsuit can be filed against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, mental anguish and inconvenience. You must meet one of the following criteria:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury with a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
It is important to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney about these threshold requirements and if you meet them. Also they can advise you as to what PIP covers. There are also certain accidents that don’t require you to meet the threshold requirement such as if you were operating a motorcycle, in a taxi or on a scooter. Personal injury law can be quite a maze to try to navigate your way through, and this is why an attorney can be so valuable to protect your interests. If a lawsuit is filed, you should always have an attorney. Florida Civil Procedure has certain requirements which if not met can risk your suit being dismissed. A good attorney will take the pressure off of you and allow you to recover, while he or she handles the legal side of the claim. Insurance companies may try to dissuade you from retaining an attorney and try to throw a few dollars at in you exchange for a release of the claim. Be careful as once you sign the release in almost all cases, the claim is gone and cannot be resurrected.
An experienced personal injury attorney will have a good idea as to the value of the case and what would be a fair settlement. Also if the case is litigated, depositions and other discovery is conducted and you want a good attorney handling these matters. It is almost impossible to try to do this on your own. Also if the case is tried in front of a jury, you want a personal injury attorney with trial experience that can tell your story in front of a jury in a compelling and passionate way. There also might be issues of bad faith that may need to be explored depending on the insurance company’s actions.
Florida does have minimum low limits of liability of $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. An experienced lawyer will help you find all available forms of insurance and assets so you can be fully compensated. He or she can also advise you if it is worth retaining an attorney if there is only minimum limits of insurance available.
A personal injury attorney should always act in your best interests to help you obtain fair compensation. The fee is contingent so you are not required to come up with a retainer or pay an hour rate. This helps to alleviate any financial burden for the accident as the attorney only gets paid if he settles your case or gets a verdict for you.
It is always wise to have a personal injury represent your interests if you were injured in an accident. He or she should communicate with you about your case and keep you fully informed as to the progress of your case. You should feel comfortable working together with your attorney as a team and trust that he or she is acting in your best interests. Your attorney should give you a roadmap as to what to expect as the case moves forward and should keep the case moving toward resolution. The court system can be slow, but the attorney should not cause any unnecessary delays due to his or her actions.
Florida personal injury law can be tricky and has many traps for those who do not understand the process. Insurance companies may act like they are your best friend, but they want to settle the case as cheap and quickly as they can. They usually do not have your best interests in mind even though they run many television commercials claiming they do. An experience personal injury lawyer will help you navigate the traps and will represent your interests not the insurance company’s interests. In order to obtain justice in your case, it is always prudent to get an attorney to fight this battle for you. If you have been injured in a trucking, auto or motorcycle crash, call or email Rowe Law Offices for a free consultation as to your rights and remedies. It may be the most important call you can make.