According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, over 400,000 car accidents happen in Florida yearly. More than one-fourth of those accidents involve personal injuries. Car accidents can lead to devastating physical and financial challenges.
If you or a loved one suffered personal injuries in a car accident in Florida, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case evaluation and to get help understanding your legal rights.
Car Accident Law in Florida
Specific laws apply in Florida that directly affect your legal rights if you were involved in a car accident. A Pine Hills car accident lawyer can help you understand these personal injury laws and how they may affect your legal case.
No-Fault State
A no-fault state is one that has adopted a policy whereby a victim of a personal injury must seek compensation first from their own insurance policy coverage. In the case of car accidents, in the state of Florida, drivers must maintain a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, along with $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL).
While you may need to initially file a claim with your own car insurance to obtain compensation for your personal injury, many situations will allow you to also bring a claim against the driver who was at-fault in the car accident. A Pine Fills car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and work with you regarding submitting any necessary claims.
Comparative Negligence Law
Under a “pure comparative fault” state, both drivers may share a portion of the blame for a car accident. Under Florida Statutes section 768.81, Florida law allows you to pursue compensation for any harm caused by a car accident, even if you were in part to blame for the accident. For example, if you were 10% at fault for the car accident, Florida law would allow you to still receive 90% of your allowable compensation for your personal injuries. Never let the fact that Florida follows a comparative negligence standard deter you from pursuing legal compensation owed to you for a personal injury due to the negligence of another.
These are complex legal issues, and the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you navigate them, calculate your just compensation, and understand your legal rights.
Florida Statute of Limitations
Each state has a different set of deadlines regarding when you must file a personal injury claim. The state of Florida under Florida Statutes section 95.11(3)(a) determined that the “statute of limitations,” or deadline to file your personal injury lawsuit, is within four years of the car accident.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Car accidents can leave you unsettled at best, and physically hurt at worst. These are the steps you should take for your health, safety, and legal rights in Florida:
Contact the Police
Florida Statutes Section 316.065 makes it a legal requirement that anyone involved in a car accident in Florida resulting in an injury, death, or damage to property estimated to be over $500 must report the accident to the appropriate police department.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health and safety are of paramount importance. Prompt medical evaluation by a medical professional can prove significant to your legal case.
Document Everything
Although the police officer will make an official police report, you should also document as much of the car accident as possible. This documentation will prove useful to your attorney when it comes time to file a lawsuit regarding your car accident.
Contact a Pine Hills Car Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries due to a car accident in Florida, contact a Pine Hills car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Statutes of limitations in Florida law governing car accidents are strict, and it is important to ensure that you do not lose your ability to file a lawsuit because of a missed deadline. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will help you understand your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for your free consultation.