Florida Car Accident Settlement Process, Jupiter
Serving Personal Injury Clients in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Jupiter and its Surrounding Areas
Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents fall under the broad category of personal injury law. When negligence, wrongful conduct, or reckless behavior causes physical disabilities or mental impairment, or results in financial harm, you may file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. In Florida, damages for injuries resulting from car accidents generally fall under Florida's no-fault insurance law. So, how does being a no fault state affect the litigation process in Florida?
These are the kinds of questions that are best answered by qualified, experienced car accident lawyers. As a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer, a significant amount of my practice is dedicated to auto accident cases. No-fault law can greatly impact litigation, because it makes it more difficult for victims of serious accidents and their families to sue a reckless or negligent driver for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering both now and in the future. Because of the complexities of this insurance system, you need a personal injury lawyer to ensure that you get the best possible settlement.
Because it is a no-fault state, all Florida drivers are required to insure their cars with $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits and $10,000 for property damage. The minimum state requirement for PIP protection is $10,000, and is intended to pay 80 percent of your medical expenses and 60 percent of your lost wages after a car accident.
In general, the driver that caused the car accident is responsible for paying the remaining 20 percent of your medical bills and the remaining 40 percent of your lost wages. However, Florida law does not require drivers to purchase insurance to cover these unpaid amounts. In some cases, drivers purchase Uninsured Motorist insurance to cover potential additional compensation costs.
Florida's 'Permanent Injury Rule'
Florida law dictates that in order to get a recovery for pain and suffering the victim must be able to prove a permanent injury as a result of the car accident. Settlement negotiations often center around this question. Typical injuries that qualify under Florida law as permanent injuries are permanent paralysis, a head injury, permanent scarring, or broken bone(s). In other cases, the insurance companies will deny your claim against the at-fault driver and argue against a settlement because your injuries are not "permanent." Insurance companies have the benefits of having lawyers on their staff. Don't try to fight an insurance company on your own.
Our Palm Beach County and West Palm Beach car accident law firm offers a free initial consultation to evaluate your case. We handle car accident injury cases in West Palm Beach on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not owe a fee unless we recover damages for you.
For legal help and guidance concerning your injury accident, call Michael J. Overbeck at 1-866-720-6679.
