After you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Jupiter, Florida, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and property damages. Florida’s personal injury tort allows you to recover compensation from the responsible party if you prove the negligence of the defendant.
Proving the negligence of the at-fault party in an auto accident is a complicated process, and Florida has a myriad of rules and regulations regarding car accident cases. Victims need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer in Jupiter.
At Steinberg Law, our personal injury lawyers have the necessary knowledge, expertise, and negotiation skills to represent you and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and damages. We will negotiate with the insurance company and fight for you in court if needed.
Our team knows how to relentlessly pursue the financial restitution you rightly deserve! We never charge you any fees unless we are successful in proving your case and winning your claim. Call Steinberg Law today at 877-783-4611 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Jupiter, FL!
Car Accident Statistics in Florida
As per FLHSMV’s (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) Crash Dashboard, there had been a total of 341,399 car accidents in 2019, 401,170 car accidents in 2021, and 194,632 car accidents up to July 7, 2022.
More than 40% of car accidents in Florida usually result in injuries. In fact, out of the 194,632 car accidents recorded so far in 2022, there were 80,025 injuries. On the other hand, the number of fatal car accidents has been on the rise for several years. There were 2,917 fatal car accidents and 3,135 fatalities statewide in 2018.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer in Jupiter Cost?
The Jupiter car accident lawyers at Steinberg Law won’t charge you anything unless they win your claim. You don’t have to pay a dime unless the lawyer handling your case gets you the compensation you rightly deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis where you pay a percentage of the compensation awarded to you by the judge or jury.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Accidents are stressful, can elevate your adrenaline levels, and cause you to panic and forget what you should actually do soon after the incident. There are many important steps to take soon after an auto accident.
Here are the most important steps to take after a car accident in Jupiter, FL.
Contact Police
A police officer should be called to the accident scene in case there is evident physical injury, death, or property damage. Put on the hazard lights of the vehicle to alter other drivers and help them steer clear of the accident scene. If the vehicle is movable, try to move it directly off the main road so that you don’t block the road.
The police report is important for filing and proving your claim. It will also help in insurance investigations.
Seek Medical Help
This is another important step to take soon after an accident. Most victims won’t seek immediate medical help if their injuries are minor. If you don’t seek medical help, the insurance company can argue that your injuries were pre-existing and are not related to this specific accident.
Do Not Leave the Scene
In Florida, leaving the accident scene is illegal, and you may face criminal charges if you leave the accident scene soon after an accident. Make sure you remain at the scene and stay calm. That way you will be able to assess the damage quickly and take appropriate action to help others involved in the accident.
Exchange Information
You should collect information from all parties involved in the accident. Get their driver’s license numbers, insurance policy details, license plate numbers, and contact information. You should give your details to them as well.
If a driver refuses to give his/her information, take a photo of the individual and the car’s license plate number in order to prove that he or she was involved in the accident.
Record the Scene
Taking photos or videoing the scene is another important step. Writing down the details of the accident will help you remember what exactly happened at the scene when you decide to file a personal injury claim against the defendant.
Take photos and videos showing the damage to vehicles, any visible injuries, the accident scene, and any details like skid marks.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer at Steinberg Law can help evaluate your case and recommend the best course of action to protect your legal rights. Our lawyers have the necessary expertise and skills to negotiate with the insurance company and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
The average number in Florida law resources for car accident settlements is between $10,000 to $60,000. As you can imagine, settlement amounts can vary depending on many factors. Your lawyer is the best person to evaluate your case and let you know whether you have a valid claim against the responsible party.
When Should I Get a Car Accident Attorney for My Car Accident Case?
Hiring an attorney immediately after the accident is the best thing to do. Filing your claim at the earliest date possible is important to avoid missing the deadline set by the statute of limitations in Florida.
An experienced lawyer needs time to collect evidence, interview eyewitnesses, and file a strong case on your behalf to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
Why Should You Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer in Jupiter?
There are many ways a car accident lawyer could help with your personal injury claim.
Case Preparation & Filing a Claim
Our lawyers will first value your case and let you know if you have a valid claim against the defendant. We will then collect evidence, interview eyewitnesses & expert witnesses, and file a strong claim on your behalf.
Settlement Negotiations
Negotiating with insurance companies is a tough job and is best left to an experienced car accident lawyer in Jupiter, FL. Insurance companies will try to pay out the minimum amount of compensation or completely deny your claim.
Even the slightest mistake on your part can cost you a lot of money when negotiating with insurance companies. A good lawyer knows how to negotiate with an insurance company in order to get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Trial preparation is an important part of filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. If the insurance company reduces your payout or completely denies it for whatever reason, a good personal injury lawyer will take your case to trial in order to get you the maximum amount of compensation you rightly deserve.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
The amount of compensation depends on your involvement in the accident and the severity of your injuries. The lawyers at Steinberg Law will evaluate your claim before letting you know how much you can expect to receive for your damages.
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state which means that you should first seek compensation from your own insurance company through your PIP insurance plan. However, once your damages exceed the maximum compensation amount allowed, you can then seek additional compensation from the at-fault party.
All motorists are required to carry a $10,000 minimum in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover?
The types of damages you can recover in a Florida car accident claim are classified into three categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are meant to reimburse victims of car accidents for losses that are financial in nature. For example, you can claim medical bills, doctor fees, physical therapy fees, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate personal injury victims for losses that can’t be assigned a monetary value. These include emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of limb function, and so on.
Punitive Damages
On the other hand, the court may decide to award punitive damages to the victim depending on how reckless the defendant was in causing the accident. But punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim but rather to punish the defendant.
Florida limits on punitive damages to three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.
How Is Fault Determined in a Florida Car Accident?
There are four important law elements that need to be proved by your lawyer to claim maximum damages from the at-fault party.
- The responsible party had a duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive in a safe manner.
- He or she breached this duty, such as by running a red light.
- The accident was caused as a result of this breach.
- You have been injured as a result of the accident.
Some of the key types of evidence that are used to determine fault in an accident include:
- Expert witness reports
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Photo and video evidence from the accident scene.
You should also note that Florida follows the pure comparative negligence doctrine. Unlike in other states, you can recover damages even if you are more than 50% at fault.
The amount of compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. If your total damages are $100,000 and you were 25% at fault for the accident, you stand to get 75% of the total damages ($75,000).
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Florida?
As per Florida’s statute of limitations, victims of car accidents must file a personal injury lawsuit within four years of the accident. In the event of a fatal accident, the family has two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
It is crucial that you contact a car accident lawyer in Jupiter as soon as possible to ensure the best outcome in your case. Remember, collecting evidence and building a strong case often takes a very long time.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
Your lawyer will send a demand letter to the defendant’s insurance company with all information and evidence about your injuries. If the insurance company denies the claim, your attorney will help you file a complaint directed at the insurance company.
Once your lawyer gathers information regarding your injuries, you must go through a deposition. Both the defense and the plaintiff side will present sworn evidence during the deposition.
Your attorney and the other parties can arrange a compensation amount to avoid going to trial. If the parties involved in the accident fail to reach an agreement, the case will go to trial.
What Can I Do If the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
An experienced car accident lawyer can review the reasons for the denial cited by the insurance company and respond with relevant information, evidence, or other arguments refuting the insurance company’s grounds for denying your injury claim.
Do I Have a Case?
A car accident lawyer in Jupiter, FL is the best person to evaluate your case and let you know if you have a valid claim against the defendant.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Florida law does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. If you are able to prove that the other driver was at fault, your uninsured motorist policy should pay your claim against the other driver.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?
Traffic crash reports may take up to 10 days to become available in the state of Florida. You can request the crash report by mail or in person from the FLHSMV.
Call Our Jupiter, FL Car Accident Lawyers Today!
When you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Jupiter, FL, you are entitled to claim damages from the defendant. Florida personal injury law is complicated. You should always rely on an experienced car accident lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company and argue your case in court if needed.
Steinberg Law is your trusted partner in Jupiter, Florida for all personal injury claims including car accident lawsuits. Call us today at 877-783-4611 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights & options!
Our team knows how to relentlessly pursue the financial restitution you rightly deserve! We never charge you any fees unless we are successful in recovering compensation for you.
