Each year, there are nearly 400,000 motor vehicle accidents in the state of Florida, and in West Palm Beach, police respond to nearly 500 of those a week, many of them quite serious. As the population grows throughout the state, so does the number of cars on the road and the risk of a car accident. With peaks occurring when you may be on the road – at night, during long weekends, and when you’re fighting rush-hour traffic – you could experience an accident of your own. After which, you may want to contact a West Palm Beach car accident attorney.
If you are involved in a car accident in West Palm Beach, you’ll want to protect yourself and your legal rights. Following these simple steps can help.
- Safety: If you can, assess the safety of your passengers and the other party, but only if it is safe to do so. Sometimes, you may have to let law enforcement and the emergency services do that job.
- Call 911: If you are not seriously injured, call 911 and tell the operator how many people are injured- so that the operator can send the right number of ambulances.
- Limit Information Sharing: Only give out information that you are asked for by the police or the other party. Don’t admit fault or discuss what you could have done to avoid the accident.
- Exchange Relevant Information with Other Driver: This includes the following:
- Your license number
- Make and model of car
- Car registration information
- Insurance policy number and insurer
- The license plate number on your car
- Go to the Hospital: Even if you don’t think you have been seriously injured, you should see a healthcare provider. Many bones and nerve injuries present after you calm down, and if you don’t see a healthcare provider right away, the other party may claim your injuries are the result of another event. If there are obvious injuries, take photos.
- Speak to Witnesses: In most car accidents there are always a few people who may have witnessed what happened. Get the names and contact information of the witnesses including where they work. Witnesses are notorious for disappearing.
- Call Your Insurer: Speak to your insurer and provide details about the accident. Remember, though, insurance representatives record all phone conversations and anything you say can later be held against you. Your claim may be denied or your injuries may be minimized. If you are not sure what to say, just tell the insurer you will get your lawyer to speak to them.
The Danger of Car Accidents
Car accidents are known to cause a wide range of injuries which include the following:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Facial lacerations
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injury
- Bone dislocations
- Internal bleeding
- Bruises and cuts
- Rupture of internal organs
Unfortunately, the dangers of a car accident in West Palm Beach aren’t limited to your injuries. Instead, they often involve serious financial costs too. In fact, most people have no idea what to do to get back on their feet. If the injuries are severe, this can lead to absenteeism from work, lost wages, medical bills, and numerous doctor visits. And for those with no health insurance, the problems are compounded many times, because all the expenses are out of pocket. The fact of the matter is that medical bills can be astronomical for most people and most injured victims have no idea whom to turn to.
While you may decide to settle a claim directly with your insurer, it is important to know that in most cases, insurers will usually offer the least amount of compensation. The insurer is in the business of saving money for his company and their interests do not align with your well-being. If you want to get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries then working with an experienced car accident lawyer is recommended.
West Palm Beach car accident attorneys are accustomed to assisting injured victims of car accidents through no fault of their own. Not only do the staff ensure that you get the appropriate medical treatment, but the attorney will advise you on your legal options and even act as your representative should you decide to file a claim against the other party.
What are the Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Florida?
With an ever-increasing population in the Sunshine State, there has also been a corresponding increase in the number of cars on the roads; and inevitably, car accidents occur. Causes of car accidents on Florida roads include the following:
- Distracted drivers (those who text, eat, or talk on the road)
- Drunk or drugged drivers
- Drivers who disobey traffic laws
- Poor weather
- Road Construction
- Poorly maintained car
- Tailgating
Do I Need to Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer?
If the injury after a car accident is minor, there is no need to consult with a West Palm Beach car accident attorney. But if the injury is serious, retaining an attorney who specializes in car accidents is nothing short of a must. Your insurer will offer you a settlement, but the amount of compensation you will get is far less than what a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach can get for you. Insurers do not have the best interest of the victims in mind; their job is to save money by giving out the least amount of money to victims.
Why is working with a dedicated car accident attorney so important? Instead of tackling the process on your own, your West Palm Beach car accident attorney will
- Determine Liability: With many car accidents, the fault or liability is not clear and both drivers may blame each other. Plus, Florida follows the law of comparative negligence; meaning that if you are at 20% fault, then the award is decreased by that amount. The lawyer will try to minimize your liability by evaluating the accident scene, speaking to witnesses, reading the police report, and looking at the physical evidence includes photos and video footage.
- File the Claim: The legal system can be confusing because there are all types of forms to fill and the claim has to be filed in the appropriate court. Your personal injury lawyer can help file the claim without missing the deadline.
- Calculate Your Damages: When the insurer calculates your damages, the total number may be less than what you deserve because they may not have included all the injuries. For example, you may require future treatments or another surgery, and this has to be included in the demand package, otherwise, you will have to pay out of pocket. An experienced Florida car injury lawyer can work with a specialist and determine the total cost of your damages including any future health bills.
- Negotiate: In general, insurers usually offer victims less than they deserve and it is here that a car accident lawyer can be very helpful. Lawyers excel at the art of negotiations and will only settle for compensation that is determined to be adequate.
- Go to Court: If for whatever reason, the insurer doesn’t want to settle the claims, then the car accident lawyer may take the case to court.
Let Clayton Trial Lawyers Help You File Your Lawsuit
If you have a serious injury following a car accident, the best way to get the maximum compensation is to consult with one of our West Palm Beach Personal Injury attorneys. We know what it takes to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Learn more when you contact us today.