Top-Rated Auto Accident Injury Attorneys in Wellington, FL at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. Assist Motor Vehicle Accident Victims With Their Legal Claims in Palm Beach County and Throughout Florida
Wellington’s suburban environment makes it pretty safe compared to the rest of Palm Beach County. However, serious accidents still happen regularly and when they do, it helps to have Wellington car accident lawyers to represent you and help you deal with insurance companies.
In fact, Palm Beach County experienced fewer car crashes in 2022 compared to nearby Broward and Miami-Dade counties. It recorded 24,831 crashes and 15,179 injuries with 221 fatalities.
When an auto accident happens to you, what matters most is to get medical treatment and get insurance to pay for it so that you can get back to your life. If you’ve had a serious accident or even suffered the death of a loved one, Wellington car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation to help you get back on your feet.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Palm Beach County and Throughout Florida
As a no-fault insurance state, Florida makes it easy to get treatment after a car accident. Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers treatment costs no matter who was responsible for causing the accident. Similarly, your Property Damage Liability (PDP) coverage should pay for car repair costs.
After your accident, getting treatment should be your priority. Even if paramedics don’t find any apparent injuries, you should still get yourself to a doctor as soon as possible. Florida’s 14-day PIP rule requires that you get a full medical exam within 14 days of a car accident with impact.
However, you should also do what you can to collect evidence at the scene of the accident that can help with your claim, which includes:
- Photos and videos documenting the damage on the cars, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and anything else that could help prove who was at fault
- Witness statements and contact information
- The contact information of the police officers who responded to the scene and wrote the accident report
- Traffic camera and dash cam footage if available
As you recover, preserve any medical documents showing what injuries you suffered, as well as all receipts and bills related to the accident. Even your pay stubs and income statements can help you prove lost income in a claim.
Factors That Can Affect Your Car Accident Claim Acoording To Wellington Car Accident Lawyers
The most important factor in your car accident claim or lawsuit is to determine who was at fault. However, there are also other factors to consider in your claim:
- Statute of limitations, which is four years in Florida from the date of the accident
- Comparative negligence rule, which says that all parties involved in the accident will be held liable according to their share of fault; it also means you can collect compensation even if you were partly at fault
- The extent of the injury and how it has impacted your life
- Your conduct during and after the accident; for example, your statement or social media posts can be used against you by insurance adjusters
One of the best things you can do to improve your chances of winning your claim is to follow the guidance of seasoned car accident lawyers. They will help by handling all the investigations, communication, and negotiations involved in the claims process and get you a fair deal.
Get Compensation for a Car Accident in Palm Beach County and Throughout Florida
Your PIP insurance is the first recourse for victims of a Wellington car accident. It pays for 80% of medical treatment up to the policy limit and even compensates you for 60% of lost income.
Once the policy maxes out, your next option is to file a third-party claim. The party responsible for the accident due to negligence can be held liable through their insurer. Once you file your claim, the insurance company will investigate and will likely offer you a settlement if they find the claim is merited.
However, filing a third-party claim is not as simple as that. First, you’ll need to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement, which is the point in your recovery where it’s not possible to get any better. That allows you to claim the full value of your medical costs.
Secondly, you’ll need to collect and compile a demand package containing all the evidence and documentation supporting your claim. This evidence should show that the other driver was clearly at fault and support your claims by showing the economic losses you suffered as a result of the accident.
Given the complexity of filing a successful claim and pushing it all the way to settlement, it’s wise to consult auto accident injury attorneys in Wellington, FL to represent you and handle all the hard work.
File a Lawsuit Against the Responsible Party With Our Wellington Car Accident Lawyers
If your claim is rejected, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and their insurer. A lawsuit takes your claim through the legal system where there’s potential to win a bigger award than what the insurance company would normally offer.
Serious injury after a car accident is also a reason to file a lawsuit. Injuries that meet the serious injury threshold include:
- Broken or distorted limbs
- Paralysis
- Skull, chest, and abdominal injuries
- Injuries that result in major disfigurement or scarring
- Amputations
If you lost a loved one in a Wellington car accident, you can file a personal injury (wrongful death) lawsuit. Such a case allows you to recover damages for financial losses, emotional trauma, funeral expenses, lost income, and more.
Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Palm Beach County and Throughout Florida?
After a serious car accident, hiring auto accident injury attorneys in Wellington, FL, is one of the best ways to improve your chances of winning a good settlement. Seasoned attorneys help protect your rights and ensure that insurance companies compensate you fairly without bullying or intimidation.
Established law firms such as Gonzalez & Cartwright have the resources and experience necessary to go against large insurance companies and negotiate successfully.
Ideally, you should involve your car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Consulting Wellington Car Accident Lawyers will help you understand if you have grounds for a bigger third-party claim or lawsuit to cover extensive medical treatment after a serious injury. Contact us today to also give them a chance to collect the necessary evidence while it’s still fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Wellington, FL
Find a car accident lawyer who’s experienced in handling car accidents in your local area. Ideally, they should have a track record of taking similar cases to trial, because some lawyers rush to settle to make a quick buck, which doesn’t always mean a fair settlement for you. Above all, look for a firm with positive reviews, which will mean former clients have had a good experience with the firm.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, we take car accident cases on a contingency basis. That means we charge a percentage of the settlement, which is capped by Florida law at 33% for cases that are settled before trial. If your case goes to trial, that percentage can reach 40%, but you can talk to us about a lower fee depending on your circumstances.
If you’ve had a serious car accident in the Village of Wellington, contact Gonzalez & Cartwright today. We’ll evaluate your case for free and help you win the compensation you deserve so that you can heal from the accident with peace of mind.
