Jacksonville car accidents can cause severe and devastating injuries. Under Florida Statute § 627.730, a limited amount of compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages are available through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage mandated by Florida Statute § 627.736.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, a Jacksonville car accident lawyer will review your case for free. If we believe you meet the criteria to pursue a fault-based lawsuit, we can obtain copies of your medical records and go to work building a case on your behalf.
Compensatory Damages for Car Accidents in Jacksonville
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to collect additional damages through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy. You could be eligible to recover compensation for damages through:
- A claim based on your own PIP insurance coverage
- A fault-based claim based on the at-fault driver’s auto liability policy
- A personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver
You can count on our team to provide the responsive legal care you need. We will always go the extra mile to recover the financial compensation our clients deserve. We understand the stress and frustration that can be a part of trying to pursue damages after suffering injuries in a Jacksonville car accident.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Jacksonville, 800-747-3733
How Our Car Accident Team in Jacksonville Can Help
As a part of handling your case, our personal injury lawyers will:
- Protect your legal rights by managing all communication related to your case
- Keep you up to date about what is happening in your case
- Gather evidence to prove negligence and liability
- Work with experts when necessary to prove your case
- Counter any allegations of contributory negligence
- Document your accident-related losses and expenses
We understand that Florida laws are complex, and it can be difficult to understand your rights and the strength of your case. This is where we come in. We offer a free consultation to any Jacksonville car accident victim.
We Will Explain Your Options
We can explain your options based on the facts of your case and how they fit into the state’s no-fault auto insurance statutes.
We also handle these cases on a contingency basis. You never pay any attorney fees to our team out of your pocket. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. You worry about getting better. We take care of everything else.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we can help you navigate the personal injury claims process and recover the compensation you need to cover your damages. Contact us today to discuss hiring a Jacksonville car accident lawyer and schedule your free consultation.
JacksonvilleCar Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-747-3733
Is It Worth Hiring a Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney?
Our team believes it is always worth hiring a car accident attorney to help with your Jacksonville car accident case. This advice is true, no matter the severity of your injuries. Our attorneys can file your PIP or third-party liability claim and fight for a fair payout based on your damages.
When we file a claim against the at-fault driver in a crash, they often attempt to shirk responsibility for the crash damages. One of the most common ways this happens is by denying fault and claiming you were at fault in the accident.
We will build a strong case against the liable party and provide evidence to minimize your role in being blamed for the accident and your resulting damages.
We can take action to protect you from this type of tactic commonly used by insurance companies, ensuring you retain the right to pursue compensation for your accident-related injuries, expenses, and losses. Common allegations of this type include:
- You acted negligently, causing or contributing to your injuries
- Your injuries occurred in a different incident, not the vehicle collision
- You did not get adequate medical care or did not follow the doctor’s instructions, and this limited your recovery
Florida’s Comparative Negligence Statute
In some cases, though, you may share responsibility for the accident or your damages. Under Florida’s comparative negligence statute, this does not prevent you from collecting compensation, but it does reduce the amount you can recover.
Imagine you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. While this would not have prevented the other driver from plowing into the back of your vehicle at a stop sign, it might have lessened your injuries and reduced your damages.
You might be partially at fault in this case. If your total damages were $100,000 and you were 30% at fault, you could only collect $70,000 from the other driver.
When something like this happens, our car accident lawyers can help you understand what to expect and explain how it could affect your case. We will also present evidence to mitigate the impact that comparative negligence has on your payout.
Plus, we will uncover as many accident-related damages–including non-economic losses–as possible to help you recover the money you need to pay your bills and other expenses.
Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney for a Minor Accident?
Jacksonville residents involved in minor car accidents often have difficulty deciding whether hiring a lawyer is worth it. Because Florida is a personal injury protection (PIP) insurance state, some drivers believe accident lawyers cannot help them recover compensation unless the accident is severe.
In this case, severe means substantial bodily injuries and property damage. Many think they should simply file a PIP claim and take what they can get for a fender-bender or minor collision.
PIP Insurance
Here is a refresher on PIP insurance: Florida requires drivers to carry a no-fault insurance policy, often referred to as PIP coverage. This policy pays to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, no matter who caused the crash.
However, PIP insurance does not cover most non-economic damages, such as mental anguish and physical pain, nor does it pay for many ancillary expenses, such as a tow truck or rental car.
After a crash, you can contact your insurance to file a claim. In fact, you must file for any bodily injuries you suffered before you can pursue the other driver or their insurance company. It should cover your damages up to the limits of your policy, but it will not provide any coverage for pain and suffering damages.
The state requires you to carry $10,000 of PIP coverage. Since many vehicle collision injuries are relatively minor, this may be enough to cover all your medical bills. But it often is not.
How We Handle Minor Accidents
We have represented many Jacksonville, FL, residents involved in minor car accidents whose damages greatly exceeded $10,000. Because we gathered evidence and put together a thorough claim, we were able to get these clients much more money than with the other driver’s insurance company.
We can help you file this type of claim and prove your losses to the insurance companies. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we never collect a fee until our clients get paid, and we offer a free consultation. So let us sit down with you, discuss your options, and let you know what to expect in the days and weeks ahead.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Jacksonville?
Because no two Jacksonville, Florida, car accidents are alike, it is difficult to estimate the value of a car accident settlement without knowing specific details about the Jacksonville crash itself.
And because settlement values vary so wildly, even coming up with an average is difficult and relatively pointless—your settlement may be much more or much less than an average one might compute.
Factors That Influence the Value of Your Settlement
A few factors that influence the value of your car accident settlement include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of damage to your vehicle
- Whether any other personal belongings were damaged in the accident
- How the accident happened
- Your attorney’s dedication
In addition, assigning fault can significantly influence each party’s settlement value. Florida is a comparative fault state, which means you can still pursue damages even if you were partly at fault for a Jacksonville car collision.
Still, your damages will be reduced by the percentage you were deemed at fault. For instance, if you had $10,000 in damages but were 20 percent at fault, you would be eligible to recover a maximum of $8,000.
It also matters how diligent your attorney is. A world of difference exists between an accident attorney who files claims and takes what the insurance policy offers and one who puts together a compelling case, takes on the insurance company and does not accept an offer that pays less than what their client deserves.
Also contributing to Florida’s expansive range of possible car accident settlement values, the state does not cap non-economic damages.
That means there is no legal maximum to what you can potentially recover for mental and physical pain, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, economic anguish, and other losses that do not involve actual financial depletion.
Regardless of the circumstances of your Jacksonville, FL, car collision, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will fight for the most in compensation. We will go after both economic and non-economic damages, taking on the insurance companies and making sure you get paid fairly.
Also, we never collect a fee until we recover money for you.
What Damages Can I Collect for a Jacksonville Car Accident?
After a vehicle collision in Jacksonville, Florida, you may be eligible to recover damages, both economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to actual financial losses, meaning things that result in quantifiable monetary loss.
Non-economic damages refer to losses that are not material in nature and cannot be quantified in dollar terms. There is no cap on how much you can recover for both types of losses in Florida.
The best way to learn the value of your Jacksonville car accident claim is to speak with a legal representative as soon as possible after your crash.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our attorneys have helped many clients in Jacksonville recover settlements and awards for their car accident damages. Our law firm can evaluate your case for free and let you know its worth.
Our law firm has helped clients recover settlement amounts in the thousands all the way up to the millions of dollars.
Types of Compensation
Depending on the type and severity of your injuries, you may have a wide variety of damages. We collect the evidence to prove your expenses and losses and fight for the maximum amount of compensation to cover:
- Medical bills
- Ambulance transportation costs
- Inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient therapy
- Lost wages due to missing work
- Income lost because you cannot return to your previous job
- Property damage to your vehicle and its contents
- Most other accident-related costs
- Pain and suffering
After you select us to represent you, we can collect documentation of your losses and determine an approximate value for your claim. Our law firm can also work with experts to help calculate potential future care needs and other expenses. We never leave any money on the table, and we will fight for the full dollar amount you deserve.
We Get Paid for Results
Our attorneys believe they should get paid for results, not their time. For that reason, we never collect a fee until we recover money for you. That means you never have to worry about being able to afford us out of pocket because you get paid at the same time we do. Therefore, you have nothing to lose and a potentially large settlement to gain.
To learn more, and to speak with a member of our staff today in a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Car Accident In Jacksonville, FL?
After a major vehicle collision that requires emergency transport to the hospital, hospitalization, surgery, and inpatient rehabilitation, you will likely owe much more than your PIP policy will cover.
Drivers in Jacksonville, Florida, are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 of PIP insurance. It pays 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages. That insurance covers not only you but also children and other members of your household, as well as passengers who do not carry PIP insurance because they do not have a vehicle.
Meeting the “Serious Injury Threshold”
If you meet certain criteria, you can file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. This strict requirement is sometimes called the “serious injury threshold,” because Florida state laws refer to qualifying injuries as “serious.”
If you need additional compensation above and beyond the payout from your no-fault insurance coverage, we can help you determine if you meet this threshold and help you navigate the claims process.
Some of the injuries that could qualify include:
- Injuries that cause significant impairment to an important bodily function
- Permanent injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement in significant areas or causing permanent impairments
- Injuries that will lead to death.
If you do meet this threshold, we can file an insurance claim based on the at-fault driver’s auto liability policy. Often, insurance companies see the wealth of evidence against the driver they insure, and we are able to negotiate a fair settlement.
However, if this is not possible, we can file a lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve.
You Can Still File a Personal Injury Claim if You Were Partially At Fault
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still sue to recover damages if your injuries are severe enough to qualify you for compensation. Florida has what is called a comparative negligence statute–also sometimes referred to as a comparative fault law–which allows you to recover damages, even if you were partially responsible.
For example, if the damages from an accident added up to $50,000, and you were found 50 percent at fault, you would only be able to collect $25,000. This is a simplified example, but it still demonstrates how the court subtracts your percentage of liability from the awarded compensation.
Our law firm can also help you collect the compensation your family is entitled to if their loved one passed away in a car crash. A Jacksonville, FL, car accident fatality meets the Florida threshold, meaning we can file a liability insurance claim and hold the at-fault driver accountable for the damages they caused.
Will My Lawyer Deal With the Insurance Companies for Me?
Yes, a lawyer can handle your insurance claim from start to finish. A lawyer can also help you navigate the intricacies of no-fault insurance laws to recover damages for vehicle repair costs and serious injuries beyond what is covered by your PIP benefits.
Everyone in Florida is required to have PIP insurance and carry a minimum of $10,000 in coverage. This means that if you have less than $10,000 in costs associated with your injuries, your PIP benefits will cover the expenses. Your coverage will pay 80 percent of your medical costs and 60 percent of lost wages as a result of the work that you missed because of your accident.
You must seek treatment within 14 days of the accident to get these benefits. Also, if your physician finds you did not have an emergency medical condition, your auto insurance will only pay up to $2,500 in benefits.
Collision insurance, optional coverage in your insurance policy, will pay for the repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
Recovering Damages Through The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
If your damages go beyond the state’s minimum insurance requirements, you may be able to recover additional compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
You may also be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. To qualify under no-fault laws, you must prove that your injuries from the accident were severe and resulted in:
- Physical scarring
- Physical disfigurement
- Permanent bodily injury
- Death
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If your family member lost their life, you automatically meet the criteria for a wrongful death lawsuit and can pursue damages related to your case.
Even when you have injuries that meet the criteria set by the no-fault insurance laws, the driver’s insurance may still argue that you do not have sufficient proof to show that the accident caused the injuries.
You would need to gather evidence to build a valid insurance claim. Some of the evidence you may need includes:
- Statements from doctors about your prognosis and your future medical care needs
- Statements from friends and family members about how your injuries have altered your life
- Traffic camera video showing that the other party caused the accident
A car accident attorney will deal with the insurance companies and manage this entire process, including demonstrating that the driver breached his duty to drive carefully, that the breach of duty caused an accident, and that his negligent actions resulted in serious bodily injuries.
How Long do Car Accident Claims Take to Settle?
Unfortunately, there is not a simple answer to this question because all cases are different. Jacksonville accident claims generally follow the traditional legal process. However, some factors could lead to a quick settlement or drag out the process longer than expected.
When litigation is necessary, the legal steps that are generally followed from start to finish are:
- The complaint is filed, and the lawsuit officially begins.
- The defendant is served a copy of the complaint.
- The defendant is given a specific amount of time to file an answer to the complaint.
- Discovery is the exchange of critical information from both sides that could be used as potential evidence during a trial.
- A trial takes place.
- There is potential for an appeal that could drag out the timeline if one side or the other does not like how the trial concluded.
Other litigation steps can be taken to shorten or lengthen the timeline. Each case is different, and it depends on whether the plaintiff or defendant has substantial evidence that proves they are on the winning side of the dispute.
If this applies to your situation, either side may file a motion for summary judgment, and a judge will make the decision before the case has a chance to go to trial.
Personal Injury Settlement
In most cases, the settlement will happen before going to the trial phase. For example, an agreement may be reached when information is presented during the discovery phase that shifts favor to either side.
However, if liability is particularly hard to prove because of a lack of evidence, witnesses, or professional opinion of the losses, the case can be dragged out indefinitely.
Florida law gives you four years to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage, including qualifying car accident cases. For this reason, you should call us as soon as your injuries stabilize to speak with our legal team.
Our law firm may need as much time as possible to prepare and file the insurance claims in your case.
Be aware that some cases have an even shorter statute of limitations. For example, if an employee of a government agency driving the agency’s vehicle struck your car, you may have much less time to notify them of the incident and your intent to file a claim.
Do You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, there is a chance that you might have to go to court for a car accident. However, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can represent you through the entire course of your lawsuit, including through litigation.
Florida is one of many states that follows a no-fault insurance system. Under normal circumstances, you must file claims based on your personal injury protection policy (PIP) with your insurance provider to cover economic losses such as medical bills and lost wages.
No-Fault Insurance in a Jacksonville Car Accident Case
Generally, no-fault insurance rules limit the amount of legal action you can take following a car accident. However, if your damages meet a certain legal threshold, you may be able to file suit in civil court against the at-fault driver. This threshold would add non-economic losses that will likely make your case more valuable.
Fortunately, in many cases, car accident settlements are achieved without going to court. But many factors could result in a trial being a necessary part of the litigation process. Those factors include:
Determining Liability in a Jacksonville Car Accident
When a party cannot agree on who is liable for the vehicle collision, the case may proceed to a trial where a jury will make decisions on the issues based on presented evidence.
Liability is a significant factor when determining if a personal injury case is likely to go to trial. In some cases, when substantial evidence and information would prove liability in court, the liable party would most likely offer a settlement during the discovery phase of litigation.
Other times, the evidence may be significant enough to request a motion for summary judgment, where a judge would make a final decision before a trial occurs.
Disagreement on Losses from the Accident
There could be a disagreement about whether the plaintiff was actually injured during the accident, the extent of their injuries, and how much compensation they should receive for those losses.
The plaintiff carries the burden of proof when pursuing losses. It may be critical that a medical professional, such as the treating physician, is a witness that provides a professional opinion regarding the extent of the injury harm.
If your personal injury case has a considerably high value, the defendant will most likely give due diligence to the claim to reduce or deny any compensation. If the parties involved in a claim or lawsuit cannot agree on a fair settlement, the case may go to trial.
What Happens if the At-Fault Party doesn’t Have Auto Insurance?
If getting into an accident is not awful enough, learning that the driver who caused the accident does not have auto insurance or is underinsured can be highly frustrating.
Fortunately, in Jacksonville, Florida, you have options for financial recovery after sustaining an injury in a collision with an uninsured driver. All drivers are legally required to have a minimum coverage policy, including:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in the amount of $10,000
- Bodily Injury Liability in the amount of $20,000
- Property Damage Liability in the amount of $10,000
In most cases, your PIP insurance would kick in to cover a percentage of medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits. Usually, this amount is enough to relieve the financial difficulties of needed medical attention for minor injuries suffered in a collision.
PIP Funeral Benefits
PIP can also cover up to $5,000 in funeral benefits. That being said, if a family member has passed away as the result of a car accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for wrongful death.
Because Florida is a no-fault state, there is not usually an option for filing a lawsuit against the other driver in civil court. However, if your injuries meet the threshold for serious injury as defined by laws in Florida, you may be able to file suit for pain and suffering against the uninsured driver who hit you in Jacksonville.
Florida’s motor vehicle no-fault law describes the thresholds of bodily injury and loss to include:
- Permanent injury
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
UMBI Coverage in Florida
Insurance companies must offer uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage in Florida. If you opted to add this coverage to your policy, you can file for compensation if you discover the driver who hit you is uninsured or underinsured.
You can also benefit from UMBI if you were the victim of a hit-and-run accident. In Florida, uninsured motorist coverage for property damage is not available as an option with your insurance policy.
Penalties for the Responsible Party
Besides being personally responsible for your losses, the uninsured or underinsured driver could most likely face penalties, including but not limited to license suspension, fees, confiscation of the vehicle license plate, and criminal charges.
How Can I Reach a Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney About My Personal Injury Case?
At the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine, we understand how stressful it can be to worry about your family’s financial health while also recovering from your injuries.
We can fight for the compensation you need to pay medical expenses, cover lost wages, and take care of your family.
Duval County Car Accident Lawyers
The car accident lawyers in Duval County, FL, from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, can help you go after compensation for your damages from an accident in Duval County, FL. We can evaluate your case, gather the evidence to prove your damages, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
To get one free consultation, contact us right away. Our law firm does not charge upfront legal fees because we handle car accident cases on a contingent fee basis, which means that our legal fees come out of the settlement or award.
First Steps After a Car Accident in Duval County, Florida
The actions that you take after a collision can affect how much compensation you can collect. All personal injury cases are different, and you should do what makes sense in your situation. Here are some suggestions of things to do after a crash:
Get Medical Attention
You should get medical treatment right away after an accident. If you have visible signs of injury, a delay in treatment can lead to complications. If you do not have apparent wounds but you were in a significant crash, a professional medical exam can uncover harm like internal bleeding, or a neck or back injury, which do not always have immediate symptoms.
Also, if you wait to get medical treatment, the careless driver’s auto insurance representatives will likely argue that the vehicle crash did not cause your injuries.
It can be harder to prove that the accident led to the harm you suffered if you do not seek medical care right away. We will use your medical records to link your injuries to the collision.
Jacksonville, Florida, Car Accident Statistics
Jacksonville is located in Duval County. According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) statistics for 2020, there were:
- 21,211 total car accidents
- 12,024 total car accident injuries
- 187 fatal car accident injuries
- 12,677 damaged vehicles
Our law firm will use your medical records to prove your injuries. We will also obtain copies of your physical, occupational, and other therapy records, along with the records for any rehabilitation your injuries require.
Types of Car Accidents
We will also request a copy of your car accident report to prove the type of accident that caused your injuries. Types of car accident cases that lead to personal injury insurance claims and lawsuits include:
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Rear-end accidents collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Wrong way accidents
Car accidents change lives in an instant. When you or someone you love is injured in an accident, our team is committed to helping you recover damages from the at-fault party.
Commonly Reported Accident Injuries
Our law firm will use your medical records to prove the cause and severity of your accident-related injuries. Mayo Clinic research cites rear-end collisions as a leading cause of whiplash injuries. Additional injuries commonly reported in car accidents include:
- Cuts, scrapes, and contusions that range from minor to severe
- Sprained, fractured, or broken limbs, limb paralysis, or limb loss
- Back and spine injuries ranging from chronic pain to full or partial paralysis
- Soft-tissue and internal injuries, including bruises, sprains, muscle contusions, and internal bleeding
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which can range from a concussion to a permanently debilitating injury
In addition to your medical records, we also obtain a copy of your written prognosis and any future care your injuries will require. Our goal is to document the degree of injuries you sustained and the physical, emotional, and financial toll they take on your life play an important role in assigning an appropriate value to your case.
Consider Working With a Car Accident Lawyer from Our Firm
Although Florida law does not force you to get a lawyer to represent you in the claims process, it can be beneficial to talk with an attorney as soon as possible. The auto insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate and handle your injury case.
Claims adjusters are professionals whose job is to pay people as little as possible for their damages. Having a professional on your side can level the playing field.
Florida’s statute of limitations only gives you a short amount of time to file a lawsuit seeking damages for your losses. Generally, Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) only allows you four years to take legal action. You should talk with an accident attorney right away so that you do not miss this deadline. Once the time limit passes, you cannot go after compensation for your damages.
Client Reviews and Testimonials
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for every injured client we represent. When previous clients recommend our law firm, they leave reviews and testimonials like the following:
- Jessica D.: “Words cannot express how grateful we are to Andijar & Levine for everything they have done for us…My husband and I were in a terrible car accident in November 2015 and didn’t know what to do…We definitely recommend Anidjar & Levine and will refer anyone who is looking for an attorney!!”
- Erika C.: “I hired Anidjar and Levine for a car accident case, in the course of the case Anidjar & Levine protected my character, my future…went far and beyond what initially were hired for…These guys are amazing attorneys, they are the BEST…Highly recommend this office. They got it done, thank you!!!!!!”
Our client reviews page is packed with testimonials like these that talk about the outstanding client service experience you get from every member of our team.
Finish Your Medical Treatment After a Car Accident
We know that it can be inconvenient to make repeated trips to your doctor’s office or physical therapy, but it is vital that you complete the treatment that your doctor prescribed.
If you do not follow the doctor’s orders, the insurance company might say that any residual problems you have are because you did not complete the treatment.
How We Establish Liability in Car Accidents
A lawyer in Duval County, FL, must prove all three of these elements to hold the at-fault person responsible for your losses:
Duty of Care
The person whose carelessness caused your damages must have owed you a legal duty of care. If another driver caused the wreck, it will be a simple matter of establishing the legal duty of care.
Everyone who operates a motor vehicle on the roads has a legal obligation to drive carefully and within the law.
Breach of Duty of Care
When someone fails to live up to the standards of a legal duty of care, it is negligence. For example, let’s say that the at-fault driver struck your vehicle because she did not notice the light had changed at the intersection.
She was groggy because of prescription medication and should not have been driving in that condition. Driving while under the influence of a controlled substance is negligence.
Causation
The negligence must be the thing that caused the accident and your losses.
The at-fault driver’s carelessness caused the crash that harmed you, which satisfies all three elements of liability in motor vehicle accidents.
How Much Your Duval County, Florida, Car Accident Is Worth
We cannot state a dollar amount for the compensation you will receive without talking with you and investigating your crash. All personal injury cases are different because the facts are unique for each person.
Here are some types of damages in vehicle accident claims:
- Lost wages: You can get compensation for the income you missed out on because of the accident and your recuperation time, including wages, salary, self-employment, and other income.
- Diminished earning potential: This is the reduction in future income if your injury caused you to be incapable of making as much money as you could before the wreck.
- Disability: The total loss of income you experience if you cannot maintain gainful employment to support yourself because of your injuries.
- Medical expenses: This includes fees for the ambulance, emergency room, hospital, surgery, doctors, x-rays, blood work, physical therapy, and prescription drugs. In other words, all the reasonable fees you paid for the treatment you needed to heal.
- Long-term care: The costs you incur if you need daily assistance with medical treatment and personal care because of your physical state.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress you experienced.
- Other intangible losses: This can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, and a spousal claim for loss of consortium.
Avoid Talking to the Responsible Party After a Car Accident
Soon after the crash, a claims adjuster from the insurance carrier might contact you and ask you to give a recorded statement. If you have a lawyer on board, you can tell the adjuster to talk to your lawyer. Your accident attorney can provide the insurance adjuster with the information he needs.
You should not give a recorded statement without running it by your lawyer first. Insurance companies can twist your words into something you did not mean to say. They do this to devalue your claim.
Another tactic that insurance companies use is to offer you a quick, low-ball settlement. They do not explain that all your medical expenses must come out of this check, so it is not “free money.”
How a Lawyer Can Help With Your Duval County, FL, Car Accident Case
Our personal injury law firm can stand between you and the insurance company to protect you from their strategies. Our firm deals directly with the insurance companies on behalf of our clients so that they can focus on their health.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation with one of our auto accident lawyers in Duval County, FL, today. There is no obligation.