How to Determine Liability in Florida Car Accidents
The quick and shocking impact of a car accident would leave anyone stunned. Cars and other types of vehicles can come at you in many different ways, resulting in a serious car accident that can leave you seriously hurt. In this blog post, we will discuss liability in Florida car accidents and Florida’s no-fault laws. Florida is one of many states that have a no-fault policy when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. In Florida, we follow the pure comparative negligence system. Under the Pure Comparative Negligence system, damages are apportioned between parties based on their percentage of fault. So, technically, a victim can recover damages even if he is 99% at fault for an accident. He can still get that 1% of damages. Under Florida law, residents must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. This is a form of liability insurance that covers for medical expenses for any injuries resulting from a car accident irrespective of fault. In Florida, failure to purchase PIP insurance coverage can result in the suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
PIP insurance coverage usually covers the named insured, passengers, and relatives residing in the insured’s home. If you are in a car accident, it is important to understand that you must comply with a strict timeline in order to receive your PIP benefits under your policy. After a car accident, an insured must file their PIP claim with in two weeks or 14 days of the date of the accident. Sadly, PIP insurance coverage maxes out at $10,000 which means it will only pay $10,000 for your medical expenses. This means that in many instances, PIP insurance coverage simply does little to compensate victims for the full extent of their medical treatment and expenses.
However, if you suffered a permanent injury, disfigurement, or significant or permanent scarring. In this case, if you were not at fault for the accident, you can file a case against the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company to obtain additional compensation. Proving fault for a car accident requires showing that theat-fault party failed to act as a reasonable person would have. In Florida, all drivers have a duty to respect all traffic regulations and laws and protect the safety of others on the road. When a driver fails to uphold this standard of care, the injured party must show that the driver’s failure to uphold the standard of care is negligence. If successful, the negligent party will be held responsible for any resulting injury and the costs associated with said injury.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Florida’s no-fault law can be a bit complicated for lay persons and commands the skills of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. Though Florida law lets car accident victims to recover damages, each personal injury claim is distinct. When you retain a personal injury lawyer from our firm to manage your personal injury claim, you can be sure that we will have your backand will represent you vigorously and make sure you obtain the compensation you deserve. Auto insurance companies are in famous for under paying legitimate injury claims and habitually ignore victims who are not represented by legal counsel. The car accident lawyers at Suarez & Montero have more than 19 years of experience representing auto accident victims including drivers, passengers and pedestrians. At Suarez & Montero, our goal is to protect our clients’ rights, obtain the maximum compensation available for our clients, and collect unpaid wages, medical bills and out-of pocket expenses as fast as possible. You can rest assured that customer service is our number one priority! Don’t settle for what PIP coverage pays. If you suffered a serious injury in a car accident, your need for ongoing medical care can get very costly. While Florida’s no-fault law may cover some of your expenses, it will not cover them all, especially in cases involving serious injuries. Seeking the advice of a Miami personal injury lawyer is one way to determine your next steps. No matter what type of accident you experienced, consulting with an attorney can help you understand the legal process.
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident involving with another driver, contact the accident injury attorneys at Suarez & Montero and ask about receiving a free consultation so that we can see how we can help you with your personal injury claim. Our skilled injury lawyers have the experience necessary to handle all aspects of your personal injury claim and can help you secure the compensation that you deserve. Our attorneys routinely leverage their considerable experience in to obtaining significant settlements from insurance companies who are known for being reluctant to payout on claims. Additionally, our firm genuinely cares about our clients. When you come to us for assistance with any legal matter, we provide the utmost personal attention to make sure that we achieve the best possible outcome.
