561-689-8180Why Hire a Florida Car Accident Lawyer?
The attorneys at Zoeller Hayden & Thron have represented accident victims for over 40 years. You can depend on our legal team to fight for you and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. We will be the advocate you need to get through this devastating ordeal.
Car accidents are often unexpected and scary experiences for everyone involved. They can happen without warning and lead to severe injuries, property damage, and even death. Our Florida personal injury lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of suffering an injury in a car crash. Victims typically face a painful recovery and economic strain while paying medical bills and other expenses.
Although traffic laws aim to keep everyone safe, some drivers ignore road signs, exceed the speed limit, and otherwise behave recklessly behind the wheel. Florida recorded 394,865 traffic accidents in 2023, resulting in 3,405 fatalities and 252,240 injuries. These alarming statistics show the dangers people face whenever they get into a car.
Were You Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Us Help You
Were You Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Us Help You
Get your FREE & confidential case review todayCommon Types of Car Accidents in Florida
Cars can encounter a range of scenarios that cause injuries and fatalities to those involved. Even if you take certain safety precautions, you can’t prevent other drivers from behaving carelessly. When you encounter a negligent motorist, you could end up in a collision with their vehicle.
The most common types of car accidents that occur are:
- Head-on collisions
- Hit and run accidents
- Rollover accidents
- T-bone collisions
- Construction zone crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Multi-car collisions
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Intersection accidents
Zoeller Law is familiar with the various types of accidents that victims can become involved in while traveling on Florida roadways. Many of these cases are complex and require a thorough knowledge of state laws and procedures. We can handle every step from start to finish on your behalf, so you don’t face the burden of building a case against the at-fault driver.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Cars can encounter a range of scenarios that cause injuries and fatalities to those involved. Even if you take certain safety precautions, you can’t prevent other drivers from behaving carelessly. When you encounter a negligent motorist, you could end up in a collision with their vehicle. The most common types of car accidents that occur are:
The most common causes of car accidents include:
- Driving under the influence
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Dangerous roadways
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Vehicle or part defects
- Unsafe lane changes
You should call Zoeller Law right now if any of these causes or other issue resulted in a crash. If someone else was at fault for your injuries, you deserve the opportunity to seek compensation from them.
Steps You Should Take After a Car Accident
A car accident can drastically disrupt your life. One minute you may be going about your day as usual, and the next minute you find yourself injured in an accident and unsure about what to do next. The steps you decide to take after an accident could impact the outcome of your case if you choose to pursue legal action.
If you’re hurt, you should seek medical treatment immediately after leaving the accident scene. Whether you go to a nearby hospital or visit your family doctor, be sure you are seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Waiting weeks and toughing out your pain before an initial medical evaluation of your injury isn’t in your best interest when it comes to recovery. It also works in your favor when negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement. If they see a delay in treatment, they might assume your injury isn’t severe and doesn’t require much compensation.
It’s also critical to sign with an experienced lawyer. Dealing with the stress of trying to heal your injuries and affording the cost of your medical bills can be extremely overwhelming. This is not something you should handle alone. Zoeller Law can take over your case so you can focus solely on your treatment. You won’t have to worry about investigating the crash, gathering evidence, or negotiating with the insurance company. We will take care of everything, so you can take the time you need to get your life back on track.
Evidence is necessary in a car accident case. Although your Florida car accident lawyer from Zoeller Law has the resources to obtain all available evidence, there are things you can do to help. While you’re attending your doctor’s appointments, maintain complete records. Keep copies of your physician bills, operative reports, imaging test results, and other documentation. Do not dispose of them no matter what.
You might make this traumatic experience even worse by falling victim to some common pitfalls. Try to avoid these mistakes, so you don’t walk away from this situation without the money you’re owed:
- Don’t talk to the insurance company. An adjuster might call you to discuss the crash. Although it seems like an innocent conversation, they are likely searching for details they can use to deny your claim or justify a low settlement. Their goal is typically to avoid large payouts. They could use what you say against you to save money. If someone contacts you, inform them that you hired an attorney and provide the lawyer’s name and phone number.
- Don’t sign any forms you receive. The insurance company will likely send you various forms to complete as well. Some are necessary to move your claim along, while others could negatively affect your case. For example, the adjuster might ask that you sign an authorization to request copies of your medical records. You don’t have to sign it. Your lawyer can submit copies of all your records. If the insurance company has a signed authorization from you, they could request prior records to try to argue that your injury resulted from a preexisting condition instead of from the accident.
- Don’t use social media. You should avoid posting anything on your social media accounts during your case. Most people don’t know this, but insurance companies and defense attorneys might review public accounts for evidence they can use against the accident victim. If they find proof that your injury isn’t as severe as you claimed or doesn’t even exist, they could use it to withhold the maximum available compensation.
- Don’t admit any responsibility for the crash. You might think you were partially to blame. Maybe you were texting or speeding. However, you should keep that information to yourself. During a lawsuit, a jury will review the facts of the case and assign a percentage of fault to each party. If they determine you share fault for the accident, they could reduce your monetary award under the pure comparative negligence statute.
- Don’t skip treatment for your injury. Even a minor injury could deserve compensation if someone else caused the accident. It’s critical to attend every appointment recommended by your doctors. You can stop treatment once you make a full recovery or your medical providers release you from their care.
The experienced attorneys at Zoeller Law will guide you through the confusing aftermath of a car crash so you won’t have to navigate the complicated legal road alone. Your Florida car accident lawyer will stay by your side until the end.
Were You Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Us Help You
Were You Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Us Help You
Get your FREE & confidential case review todayCompensation You Can Pursue in a Car Accident Case
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that your own insurance company can compensate you for your medical expenses and other financial losses associated with the crash. Florida law requires personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for all registered motor vehicles, with a minimum liability limit of $10,000.
PIP will pay for 80 percent of your reasonable and necessary medical treatment up to the limit on your insurance policy. Unfortunately, the minimum required $10,000 in coverage typically isn’t enough to cover an accident victim’s expenses. PIP also doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering and other intangible losses.
You could file a third-party liability claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier if your injury meets the serious injury threshold. This is possible when the accident caused:
- Permanent and significant scarring or disfigurement;
- Permanent injury other than scarring or disfigurement;
- Significant and permanent loss of a vital bodily function; or
- Death
When you file a liability claim, you could seek compensation for a range of losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Car rental costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
If you file a lawsuit, you could also pursue punitive damages. Instead of compensating your losses, it punishes the at-fault driver for their actions. A jury could hold the defendant liable for this financial award if clear and convincing evidence proves that their actions amounted to gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Call Zoeller Law to Speak to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
If you sustained injuries in a car accident in Florida, call Zoeller Law today. Our Florida car accident lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your case and advise you about the available legal options. We will work hard to meet your needs and try to achieve the best possible outcome.
