At Eltringham Law Group, our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys fight aggressively to protect the rights and interests of injured victims and their closest loved ones. We are proud to be among the highest-rated auto accident injury law firms in all of Florida.
If you or your family member was hurt in a crash in Palm Beach County, our legal team is here to help. To arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a skilled Florida auto accident attorney, please contact us today.
What to Know About Florida’s Car Accident Laws
Following a serious crash, all parties should know their rights under Florida law. To recover the full and fair personal injury compensation that you deserve, you must build a well-supported, compelling legal claim. An experienced West Palm Beach car accident attorney will help you understand the details of Florida’s car accident laws.
1. There Are Strict Legal Deadlines
There are two important deadlines to be aware of. First, Florida has a four-year statute of limitations for negligence claims. All negligence lawsuits must be filed within four years of the date of the collision. Though, you should not wait to initiate the claims process. All collisions should be investigated immediately.
The other deadline is far more strict: Florida has a 14-day rule for personal injury protection (PIP) claims. To get coverage from your own insurer, you must seek medical care within 14 days of the date of the collision. Failure to do so could be used as a justification to deny your claim.
2. Mandatory No-Fault Auto Insurance Regulations
In Florida, all motorists are required to carry no-fault auto insurance coverage. PIP coverage will pay for your initial medical care and lost wages after an accident. As PIP coverage is no-fault insurance, it is your first option for compensation regardless of who caused the crash.
Unfortunately, you may struggle to get a settlement from your own insurance company. If you are having any trouble with your PIP claim, our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys are ready to help. We will review your case for free and explain what you need to do next to get justice and compensation.
3. Comparative Fault for Serious Accidents
You can file a fault-based personal injury lawsuit in Florida if you were involved in a serious crash. Florida uses a ‘serious injury threshold’ for fault-based car accident injury claims. Under this standard, parties can step beyond the ‘no-fault’ system and bring a claim against any negligent defendant if they were seriously hurt.
If you or your loved one sustained major injuries, you should always consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will assess your case and explain your options.
As Florida uses a comparative fault standard for these types of claims, each party to a crash will be held liable in proportion to their share of the blame. If another driver bears 100% of the fault, they can be held responsible for 100% of the resulting damages.
If you have any specific questions or concerns about Florida’s auto accident laws, our firm can help. As our state’s insurance regulations differ from many other states, it is crucial that you have a full understanding of your rights and your responsibilities. We will make sure you are in the best possible position to bring a successful car accident injury claim.
What Our West Palm Beach Car Crash Attorneys Do
Our collision lawyers in West Palm Beach have a single priority: providing you with the best possible legal advice and representation. To help you bolster your claim and improve your chances at receiving compensation, we offer a wide variety of services.
Gathering Evidence of Fault and Injury
Though Florida requires you to carry no-fault insurance, it’s still possible to pursue compensation through a lawsuit. For that to happen, though, you’ll need to provide evidence of the other driver’s fault for causing the crash as well as evidence that your injuries are related to the wreck.
Typical types of evidence we may be able to secure for you include:
- The official police record of the crash from the West Palm Beach Records Department
- Video and/or photos of the collision site
- Testimony from eyewitnesses
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
- Your medical records showing your injury
- Records of other damages, including lost wages
Negotiating With Your Own Insurance Company
Regardless of who was at fault for your crash, PIP coverage should provide you with monetary compensation to help offset the cost of your damages. According to Florida Statute 627.726, PIP should cover:
- 80% of medical costs for emergency care, up to $10,000
- Up to $2,500 for non-emergency medical care
- 60% of lost income or lost earning potential due to disability
- $5,000 per person in the event of death due to the accident
However, insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible. They may claim that your injuries did not result from the accident, that you are not as injured as you say you are, or that other details limit what they have to pay you. Experienced West Palm Beach car crash attorneys can help you counter these tactics.
Settling With the At-Fault Party
Bringing a case to court can take lots of time and money. If possible, it’s best to negotiate a settlement with the opposing party that meets your needs without having to undergo the stress of a drawn out litigation process.
Our personal injury lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience building cases and negotiating with attorneys for at-fault drivers. We will do what it takes to get you the compensation package you need.
You Deserve Full Financial Compensation for Your Injuries
The road to recovery after a serious crash can be long and frustrating. You need all available financial support to pay for necessary medical treatment, cover lost wages, and provide for yourself and your family. Sadly, large insurance companies are rarely willing to cooperate.
At Eltringham Law Group, our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys have experience going up against Florida’s largest insurers. We know how to get our clients full and fair settlement offers and personal injury verdicts. You may be entitled to car accident compensation for:
- Motor vehicle repairs or replacement
- Emergency room care
- Hospital bills and related costs
- Rehabilitative treatment and physical therapy
- Loss of current and future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability/impairment
- Wrongful death of a family member
Special Compensation in West Palm Beach Car Crash Cases
There are other situations in which you may qualify for additional compensation. While you cannot sue the opposing party for damages covered by PIP, the law makes special exceptions for certain situations. This includes death, disfigurement, loss of limb or body function, permanent injuries, and severe scars.
If that applies to your case, a lawyer in West Palm Beach may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Your pain and suffering
- Mental distress from your injury
- Inconvenience related to your injury or disability
When you work with us, our attorneys can help you determine the value of your car accident case and how much compensation you can expect.
What Sets Eltringham Law Group Apart?
You do not have to go through the claims process alone. At Eltringham Law Group, we pursue justice for the injured with a health-driven mindset – meaning our personal injury attorneys are focused on getting you compensation and getting you better.
Injured victims deserve personalized attention from an attorney who cares about their outcome. You can hear from our clients to learn more about our legal services and a history of results. Through our revolutionary Lighthouse system, we provide each client with maximum care and personalized services.
Contact Our West Palm Beach Auto Accident Attorneys for Immediate Help
At Eltringham Law Group, our car accident attorneys in West Palm Beach are committed to providing the highest level of representation to our clients. If you or someone you know was injured in a motor vehicle wreck, you need a trusted advocate in your corner.
Contact us today for a free, confidential review of your case. We handle car accident claims in West Palm Beach and in the other communities in Palm Beach County.