Top-Rated Auto Accident Injury Attorneys in Weston, FL at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. Seek Pursue Maximum Compensation for Car Crash Victims in Broward County and Throughout Florida
Weston, Florida, is one of the best places to live in the country, but it shares some of the most dangerous roads with the rest of the state. If you’ve been in a car accident in Broward County or the surrounding areas, reach out to our Weston car accident lawyers promptly to help protect your rights.
Broward County experienced 35,393 crashes in 2022, with 20,885 of those resulting in injuries and 237 ending in fatalities. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale region has the third-highest traffic accident rates in the state and some of the highest fatality rates in the country.
Living in a state that has such high car accident rates, it’s important to know what to do and who can help after an accident. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. we’re here to help you recover compensation after an accident through the claims and court processes so that you can cover your treatment and other financial needs.
What You Should Know After a Car Accident in Weston and Throughout Florida
Florida is one of twelve states in the country with no-fault insurance laws. Every motorist in the state is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which pays for medical treatment in case of an accident no matter who was at fault.
You’re also required to carry Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance, which pays for any property damage you may cause while driving.
However, in serious accidents that result in serious injury or death, you can file a third-party claim against the person responsible for your accident and their insurer. According to Florida’s statute of limitations, you can file a lawsuit no later than four years from the date of the accident.
Florida’s Comparative Negligence Rules
Florida also follows pure comparative negligence rules. That means if more than one party caused your accident, you can recover damages from each of them depending on their share of fault.
For example, if a vehicle manufacturer is found 25% responsible for an accident due to faulty brakes and you’re awarded $150,000, they have to pay you $37,500, while the rest will come from the other parties named in the lawsuit.
Comparative negligence also means that if you were partially at fault, you will receive a reduced share of the award. For example, if you’re found to have been 15% at fault after filing a $150,000 lawsuit, you will receive $127,500 (85%) of the total amount awarded.
Insurance Claims Process in Weston and Florida
No matter who was at fault for your accident, you should always notify your insurer first and not later than 10 days after the accident. Your insurer will pay for your treatment up to your policy limits while you pursue additional compensation.
If your injuries exceed your PIP coverage, you can file a third-party claim against the other driver if you can prove they caused your accident. Proving fault is difficult because you need to show evidence of negligence, such as driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to obey traffic laws, or driving while texting.
That’s why it’s vital to collect as much evidence as you can at the scene of the accident and after the accident. Examples of important evidence includes:
- Photos and video footage of the accident scene
- Witness statements from people who were present at the scene
- The police report from the officer who responded to the accident
- Medical records
- Invoices, pay slips, income statements, pay stubs, and any other document related to the accident
It also helps to maintain a diary showing your recovery process and the challenges you face daily as a result of the accident.
Reasons to File a Car Accident Claim With Gonzalez & Cartwright’s Weston Car Accident Lawyers
If your injuries meet the “serious injury threshold,” you can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Serious injuries include loss of limbs, disabilities, significant scarring or disfigurement, loss of bodily function, or death.
Other reasons to file a lawsuit include:
- The insurance company is acting in bad faith
- The at-fault party was underinsured or not insured at all
- The other driver fled the scene after the accident
- Gross negligence, which can even attract punitive damages
Our knowledgeable auto accident injury lawyers in Weston, FL can assist you in determining the appropriate steps to take, as there are numerous factors that may necessitate filing a car accident claim.
How Our Weston Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Secure Compensation After an Auto Accident
After your accident, notifying your insurer online or through a phone call is usually enough to start the claims process. However, filing a third-party claim is more difficult.
Third-party insurance claims require you to prepare a demand package with all the evidence you have collected proving that the other driver was at fault for your accident. The company will conduct independent investigations to find out what happened.
If the evidence is correct, a negotiation process follows in which the company makes you an offer that you can accept or deny. Keep in mind that the first offer is almost always a lowball figure, and you shouldn’t accept it or sign anything unless your lawyer advises you to do so.
It is crucial to consult our Weston car accident lawyers prior to commencing the claims process, as they can provide comprehensive guidance throughout the entire procedure. Our auto accident injury attorneys in Weston, FL at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. leverage their extensive experience and expertise to effectively negotiate the maximum compensation on your behalf.
If your claim is denied, you can appeal through internal or external channels. External insurance claim dispute resolution is regulated by the government and can be an effective way to deal with uncooperative insurance companies.
What Damages Can You Claim After a Car Crash in Weston?
Filing a third-party insurance claim or lawsuit allows you to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Loss of income, including present and future earnings due to a temporary or permanent disability or reduced earning capacity
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, including the purchase of medical devices and prosthetics
- Cost of lost services, such as inability to mow the lawn, run errands, etc
- Property damage, including the full cost of replacing your car in case of totaling
- Compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement
Calculating all these damages requires experience and knowledge. You must be able to support each of the claimed damages, and that’s where our skilled Weston car accident lawyers can help.
How Our Auto Accident Injury Attorneys in Weston, FL Can Help
When facing car insurance corporations armed with formidable legal teams and decades of experience, as an individual, your chances of prevailing in a claim or lawsuit are minimal. However, obtaining legal assistance and representation can help level the playing field.
Our skilled car accident lawyers in Weston are equipped to safeguard your rights and assist you in securing significantly better compensation. Additionally, despite factoring in legal fees, most individuals who seek legal counsel end up receiving higher compensation than those who attempt to negotiate on their own. Contact us today!
Experienced in taking cases to trial and adept at dealing with insurance companies, Gonzalez & Cartwright’s veteran car accident lawyers are among the best in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Weston, FL
The best car accident attorneys are experienced and have a reputation for success. More than that, they take a personalized approach to every case and are transparent and honest in their communications. In other words, they treat you as a person rather than just another number on a file.
The fees charged by car accident lawyers in Florida can vary and are typically determined based on various factors such as the complexity of the case, the attorney’s experience and reputation, and the fee arrangement agreed upon between the lawyer and the client. Common fee structures used by car accident lawyers in Florida may include:
1. Contingency Fee: This is a common fee arrangement where the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the compensation obtained for the client. If the client does not receive any compensation, the lawyer does not charge a fee. The percentage for contingency fees can vary but is typically around 33% of the total recovery.
2. Hourly Fee: Some car accident lawyers may charge an hourly fee for their services, where the client pays an agreed-upon hourly rate for the time spent on the case. This may be more common for cases that are less straightforward or involve complex legal issues.
3. Flat Fee: In certain situations, a car accident lawyer may charge a flat fee for handling a specific part of the case, such as drafting legal documents or providing legal advice. This fee is typically agreed upon in advance and does not depend on the outcome of the case.
It’s important to discuss the fee structure and any additional costs with your car accident lawyer in Florida during the initial consultation to ensure clarity and avoid any surprises. It’s also recommended to review and sign a written agreement outlining the fee arrangement before engaging a lawyer’s services.