Car Accident Lawyer Port St. Lucie

There are over 250,000 car accidents in Florida every year, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries to victims like you. Most of these car accidents are entirely preventable. If only drivers paid attention to the traffic around them and were prepared for weather conditions, we could greatly reduce the number of accidents in Port St Lucie.

If you have been injured in a car accident, seek compensation. You shouldn’t be responsible for paying for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. However, it can be hard to be awarded the damages you’re rightfully owed.

Call our car accident lawyers in Port St. Lucie today. We will explain the process of filing for damages, represent you every step of the way, and ensure you get the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Free Case Evaluation

How We Can Help

To collect compensation after a car accident, you may need to file a claim for damages. Our expert Florida car accident lawyers in Port St. Lucie can help you today.

Maximum Compensation for Your Car Accident Injuries

Whether your losses are physical or emotional, our skilled attorneys will provide you with security and hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligence.

Most car accident claims require fighting insurance companies for rightful compensation. The companies are so focused on their bottom line that they neglect their duty to pay out for fair settlements. Even if they do offer you a settlement, they will not take into account ongoing mental concerns or future medical issues as a result of the accident.

We will take the insurance company of the at-fault driver to court to prove your right to damages, help you determine the amounts you’re owed, and ensure that you get paid.

The Difference Between a Settlement and a Verdict

There would be no need for car accident cases if all insurance companies fairly compensated victims of car accidents. Since that’s not reality, you need to work with an experienced car accident attorney who understands the complicated systems involved in filing a car accident claim.

Insurance companies offer settlements as a means of avoiding court. Sometimes, a lawyer can get an appropriate settlement for their client without needing to go to trial. However, a car accident claim might need to be tried in front of a jury and judge to get a fair ruling.

Our attorneys know that trial-tested lawyers who get results can change their clients’ lives. We strive to change all of our clients’ lives for the better by getting them maximum compensation and prepare all of our cases for trial.

It may be more work, but it offers a greater benefit to our clients.

Gathering Expert Witnesses and Evidence

Evidence is critical to any claim. A Port St. Lucie car accident lawyer will gather evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence and how it caused your injury and/or property damages. They will use this proof to show that the negligence resulted in losses that now should be fairly compensated.

Our lawyers are tireless when collecting evidence. They will gather witness statements, medical bills, pictures of damage, paystubs, receipts, and more to build the strongest case possible.

If your car accident claim requires expert testimony to prove negligence, our car accident lawyers will find the best experts in their field to protect your rights to compensation.

Call a Port St Lucie Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, you need to speak with a local car accident lawyer today. The sooner you hire a car accident lawyer, the sooner they can begin gathering fresh evidence and building a strong case for damages.

Our Port St. Lucie attorneys have helped countless victims get their lives back after being injured by someone else’s negligence. Offering our clients the best chance at gaining maximum compensation is our goal.

To work with us, call (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.

Our Recent Settlements

$35,000,000

A Broward County jury awarded Denise and David Brown $35 million in a case against North Broward Hospital District, doing business at Broward General Hospital.

$11,250,000

A catastrophic injury case resolved in less than 10 months for more than the insurance company’s policy limits.

$11,000,000

A product liability and wrongful death case involving a defect in a tire causing a catastrophic car accident.

1. Call 911

Without a police report, it’s like the accident didn’t happen. Having a police report will help you prove damage visible at the scene of the accident so you can collect compensation from your lawsuit.

2. Exchange Policy Information

Once you have called the police, exchange information with the other driver. You will need their insurance provider and policy number so your insurance companies can talk to each other.

3. Collect Evidence

Take pictures of all damage (both to property and people), road conditions, weather, vehicle license plates, and anything else that seems pertinent to your case. Keep a log on your phone where you can record information, witness names, a timeline, and any information that you deem relevant to your case. You can never have too much evidence.

4. Seek Medical Attention

You should always seek medical attention immediately after a car accident, even if you don’t feel any injuries. A car accident can send you into a state of shock where you won’t feel serious injuries until it’s too late.

Get examined by a medical professional and follow all of their advice. Get any necessary treatments and prescriptions. Never agree to release your medical records to the at-fault party’s insurance without first speaking to your car accident lawyer.

4. Call Your Insurance Provider

Provide your insurance company with the policy information of the other driver(s). Fill out a claim form, if required.

5. Request a Copy of the Police Report

Police reports are pivotal pieces of evidence in car accident cases. Require a few copies of the report to give you your insurance company, lawyer, and any other professional that may require one.

5. Meet with a Port St Lucie Car Accident Lawyer

Once you have completed steps 1-6, contact a Port St Lucie car accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation. They will help you prepare for the next steps in your claim, if you have one. Ensure you hire a lawyer who will protect your rights and that has time for your caseload, so you don’t get pawned off on younger associates.

When should I get a lawyer for my car accident?

Once you have ensured your physical wellbeing by seeking medical attention, call a car accident lawyer near you.

By hiring a lawyer early, you improve your chances of winning your claim. Your lawyer will be able to collect fresh evidence, speak with witnesses, and use best practices to defend your rights. You won’t have to worry about the stress of interacting with the other party’s insurance company because your lawyer can handle that for you.

Don’t wait to hire a car accident lawyer after your accident.

What types of damages can I recover from my car accident?

After a car accident, you will experience many losses. Most people concern themselves with the financial losses but forget to factor in the devastating emotional costs they pay after a tragedy.

If you were not at fault for the car accident, you should not have to pay for these losses. Hire a Port St. Lucie car accident lawyer to have the best chance at recovering damages for your injuries and property damage.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses suffered as a result of an accident. Anything with a receipt or a paper trail counts as economic damage.

These are the easiest damages to prove, and many insurance companies will include these costs in their settlement offers because you can plainly see the cost incurred.

This is why it is vital to maintain all bills or receipts associated with the car accident. Keep these documents in a file that you can easily access.

Economic damages include:

Ambulance fees
Emergency Room fees
Medicine costs
Follow-up treatments
Rehabilitation
Counseling services
Diagnostic tests
Travel costs to hospitals
X-rays
Household care services
Car repair or replacement
Cost of rental vehicles
Any lost or damaged items during the accident
Lost wages due to your injury
Loss of earning capacity, where you can no longer work as you once did due to injuries sustained in the car accident
Loss of future earning capacity, if you are unable to earn a living in your previous career path going forward

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to prove than economic damages as they are not accompanied by a receipt. In fact, most non-economic damages are mental or emotional losses that cannot be physically seen.

These vary widely from client to client but are no less significant than economic damages. Non-economic damages include:

Pain and suffering
Permanent disfigurement or scarring
Emotional anguish
Embarrassment
Reputation damage
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of quality of life
Loss of consortium or affection, if your loved one dies or cannot be with you due to your injury
Anxiety or PTSD

Punitive Damages

Economic and non-economic damages cover the effects of the driver’s negligence in causing the accident. Punitive damages are a fine to punish the driver for gross or malicious negligence.

In Florida, punitive damages are awarded in civil cases, such as car accident claims, where the court decides that the defendant needs a form of punishment to deter them from repeating their negligent actions. These are rarely awarded in Florida. When they are awarded, there is a cap of three times the amount of the damages being awarded for economic and non-economic damages, or the sum of $500,000 (whichever is highest).

How much can I expect to recover from my car accident?

No two car accidents are the same, so there is no average amount of damages awarded for car accidents. However, you can calculate how much your claim will be worth by adding up your economic and non-economic damages.

Compile all of the bills and receipts for things that you had to spend your money on as a result of the accident, such as hospital bills or lost wages. Once you total this amount, you will have an estimate for your economic damages.

Non-economic damages are more difficult to determine. Contact an expert car accident lawyer to discuss what non-economic damages apply in your case and how much you can recover.

What is the comparative fault in Florida?

If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, you have a legal right to pursue financial compensation for your injuries. This applies even if you are partially responsible for the car accident. However, the percentage of the damages awarded may be diminished by the amount of fault that is attributed to you.

Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, where fault may be attributed to both drivers involved in a car accident. They can only collect damages proportionate to their percentage of fault. For example, if you were 40% responsible for an accident, you can only sue to recover 60% of your damages.

However, in Florida, the person can sue if they are 0-99% responsible for the accident. This means that the party who is more at fault can sue the victim for damages as well, although they will only collect a small percentage of the compensation.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can result in serious, even fatal injuries. Our expert lawyers have represented victims who have experienced many common car accident injuries, such as:

Whiplash
Contusions
Lacerations
Fractures
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Concussions
Seat Belt Injuries
Internal Damage
Soft Tissue Damage
Neck & Back Injuries

Common Types of Car Accidents

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end collisions occur when one car hits another from behind. The car that hit from behind is typically at fault, but not in every case. These most frequently occur at intersections where the front driver is stopped.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents or “side-impact collisions” can occur in several traffic situations. The most common location for a T-bone accident is at an intersection when one driver illegally enters the intersection while the other is driving through legally. They impact the side of the car, where there is the least amount of safety mechanisms, potentially causing significant damage.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are the most deadly type of car accident. They occur with double the force when two vehicles collide while going in opposite directions. That increases the chances of injury for both drivers. Head-on collisions typically occur when one driver swerves into another lane due to driving under the influence or while tired.

Vehicle Rollover

Cars roll over for a number of reasons: driver error, slick roads, turns that are too tight, or a side impact from another vehicle. Whatever the reason, vehicle rollovers are extremely dangerous. If you have been injured in a vehicle rollover, contact our Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers today to discuss your options.

Sideswipe Collision

Sideswipe collisions occur when one car bumps into the side of another. This commonly occurs when a car is changing lanes without looking or is swerving between lanes. The vehicles are both traveling in the same direction. The damage can be as simple as some scraped paint or as serious as driving a car off the road.

Multiple Vehicle Collisions

Multiple vehicle collisions involve more than two cars. They are common on crowded streets and on highways, where many cars are driving at high speeds. There are many causes of these collisions, such as weather conditions, distracted drivers, and tailgating.

These can be the most confusing types of car accident claims to file. Work with a lawyer to ensure you have great representation on your side.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

If a car hits yours and drives away from the scene, you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident. It can be difficult to locate the guilty party in this case. However, you can still seek damages with the help of a car accident lawyer.

Single-Car Accidents

If you run into a tree, hit an animal, or swerve off the road when no other car is involved, you have been involved in a single-car accident.

Car Accident Questions and Answers

Why should I hire a car accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie?

A car accident lawyer will protect your rights, explain your options, help you navigate the complex system, and make sure the person who hurt you is held accountable for their actions.

The right car accident attorney also knows how much money you need to recover financially and emotionally from your trauma. They will hold the negligent party accountable by filing for damages and not accepting low settlements.

What should I tell insurance after a car accident?

You will need to file a claim with your insurance after a car accident, even if you were not at fault. In Florida, you need to claim personal injury settlements from your personal injury protection coverage under your car insurance before you can file a lawsuit against the other individual.

Provide your insurance company with only the facts. Never agree to be recorded or to give an official statement without your lawyer’s approval.

What should I tell the police on the scene of a car accident?

Tell the police what happened without exaggeration or embellishment. Always admit it if you don’t remember something. If you guess to fill in the blank and it’s incorrect, you could put yourself under suspicion of guilt.

Once you have given your official statement, step back to allow the police to do their job. You should comply if they have additional questions; however, if they start to repeat questions, ask to speak with your lawyer.

Never admit fault or state that you have no injuries.

I don’t feel injured. Should I still seek medical attention?

If you have been involved in a car accident, you need to seek medical attention immediately. You may not feel injured due to the shock of the traumatic event. Even minor pains could be a sign of a severe injury that you haven’t noticed yet.

Prevent life-long complications by seeking medical attention from a licensed physician as soon as possible following the accident. You may need to call your insurance company to check which hospitals are covered under your policy.

The other driver’s insurance company has contacted me. What should I say?

The other driver’s insurance company does not have your best interests at heart. They are working to save their money, which means denying your legitimate claim. If they are calling you, it is because they are working to undermine your lawsuit however that can.

You should never provide them with information. Always tell them that your lawyer will contact them on your behalf.

If you don’t have a lawyer yet, you can still say this. Then immediately go online and find the best car accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie and tell them what has happened. A reputable lawyer will be willing to help you work with the other party’s insurance company. They will protect your right to damages and not fall for the insurance company’s tricks.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Florida’s statute of limitations governs how long you have to file your car accident claim.

For personal injury and property damage claims, you have up to four years from the date of the accident to file your claim and receive compensation. If you are filing for wrongful death, then you must file within two years.

If you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, it is very unlikely that your case will be heard before the court. In fact, you could lose your right to damages and allow the defendant to walk away without punishment.

Contact Us To Schedule Your Free Consultation Now

We look forward to helping you with your case and moving forward to get the compensation that you are entitled to. Get in touch with our team today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

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