Recent Case Wins
+100s of Millions Won
Recent Case Wins
+100s of Millions Won
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What to Do Right After a Car Accident in Florida
The first hour after a crash determines how much money you can recover. Most people make mistakes that cost them thousands of dollars because they don’t know Florida’s specific rules.
Call 911 first, even for minor accidents. Florida requires police reports for any crash causing injury or property damage over $500. Without that report, insurance companies will claim the accident never happened or wasn’t serious.
Take photos of everything. Your damaged vehicle, the other car, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. These photos often prove fault when the other driver changes their story later.
Get the other driver’s information, but don’t discuss who caused the accident. Florida uses comparative negligence, which means that anything you say admitting fault reduces your compensation. Exchange insurance details, license plate numbers, and contact information without apologizing or explaining what happened.
See a doctor within 14 days to insure your medical expenses are covered. Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law requires medical treatment within two weeks, or you lose coverage. Insurance companies watch this deadline closely and deny claims when people wait too long. Your full recovery is what matters most.
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 today
561-689-8180Car Accident Lawyer Services That Protect Your Rights
Insurance companies have lawyers working for them the moment your accident happens. You need someone working for you just as fast.
We investigate crashes thoroughly, visiting accident scenes to document road conditions, checking surveillance cameras before footage disappears, and interviewing witnesses while memories stay fresh. Small details make huge differences in settlement amounts.
Medical bill negotiation saves our clients thousands of dollars. Hospitals and doctors often overcharge or bill for unnecessary treatments. We review every charge, negotiate reductions, and make sure you keep more of your settlement instead of paying inflated medical costs.
Dealing with insurance adjusters is a full-time job. They call constantly, request endless paperwork, and use confusing language to trick you into accepting low offers. We handle all communication so adjusters can’t manipulate you into damaging your case.
Property damage claims need separate attention. Your car repair or replacement costs money, the insurance company owes you now, not months from now. We push for immediate payment while building your injury case.
Lost wage recovery includes more than just missed paychecks. If your injuries prevent you from working overtime, taking promotions, or performing your normal job duties, Florida law compensates you for all lost earning capacity.
Understanding Florida Car Accident Laws
Florida operates under no-fault insurance rules, which confuse most drivers. Your own insurance pays medical bills up to $10,000 through PIP coverage, regardless of who caused the accident. But PIP doesn’t cover everything.
You can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver when injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. This includes permanent injury, significant scarring, or medical bills exceeding your PIP limit. Most car accident cases we handle qualify because $10,000 doesn’t cover much when bones break or backs get injured.
Florida’s statute of limitations gives you four years to file a lawsuit for property damage and two years for injury claims. Missing these deadlines means losing all rights to compensation, no matter how strong your case. Insurance companies know these deadlines and intentionally delay, hoping you’ll run out of time.
Comparative negligence in Florida reduces your compensation based on your percentage of fault. If you were 20% responsible for the accident, your settlement decreases by 20%. This rule makes establishing clear fault extremely valuable.
Common Car Accident Injuries We Handle
Whiplash shows up days after accidents, causing neck pain, headaches, and dizziness. Insurance companies hate whiplash claims because injuries don’t show up on X-rays, but proper documentation proves these injuries are real and deserve compensation.
Back injuries from car accidents often require surgery, physical therapy for months, and cause permanent pain. These cases demand higher settlements because they affect your ability to work and enjoy life long-term.
Broken bones need immediate treatment, but also create future problems. Improperly healed fractures, ongoing pain, and reduced mobility all factor into settlement calculations.
Head injuries range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries requiring lifetime care. Any time you hit your head during an accident, a medical evaluation is critical because symptoms might not appear immediately.
Soft tissue damage includes muscle tears, ligament sprains, and tendon injuries that take months to heal. Physical therapy costs add up quickly, and insurance companies try to minimize these claims despite knowing soft tissue injuries cause real suffering.
Why Palm Beach Gardens Car Accidents Happen
PGA Boulevard between I-95 and Military Trail sees constant rear-end collisions. Traffic lights are too close together, drivers rush between shopping centers, and tourists unfamiliar with the area brake suddenly.
I-95 accidents spike during the winter months when seasonal residents return. Merging lanes, high speeds, and distracted drivers create dangerous conditions, especially near exits for Gardens Mall and Downtown at the Gardens.
Northlake Boulevard intersections cause T-bone crashes regularly. Drivers turning left from shopping plazas misjudge oncoming traffic speed, and the afternoon sun glare makes seeing other vehicles difficult.
Parking lot accidents at Gardens Mall and Legacy Place happen daily. Drivers back out without looking, pedestrians walk between cars, and unclear right-of-way rules cause confusion, leading to collisions.
Drunk driving arrests increase on weekend nights, particularly near restaurant districts. Impaired drivers cause devastating accidents, and Florida law allows victims to pursue additional damages beyond standard compensation.
How Much Is Your Car Accident Case Worth
Medical expenses include all treatment costs from emergency rooms, specialists, physical therapy, medications, and future care needs. We calculate both current bills and anticipated future treatment to ensure full compensation.
Lost wages cover missed work time, used vacation days, and reduced earning capacity. If injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, settlements must account for career changes and income loss.
Pain and suffering compensation depends on injury severity, recovery time, and how accidents impact daily life. Permanent injuries, ongoing pain, and inability to enjoy previous activities increase these damages significantly.
Property damage extends beyond car repairs. Rental car costs, diminished vehicle value after repairs, and personal property damaged in crashes all deserve compensation.
Punitive damages apply when drivers cause accidents through reckless behavior like drunk driving or intentional misconduct. These additional damages punish wrongdoers and deter dangerous behavior.
Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Us Help You
Hurt in a Car Accident? Let Us Help You
Get your FREE & confidential case review todayThe Car Accident Claim Process in Florida
Filing insurance claims starts immediately. Florida requires reporting accidents to your insurance company promptly, usually within days. Delayed reporting gives insurers reasons to deny claims.
Investigation takes several weeks as we gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence. Thorough investigation builds leverage for negotiations.
Demand letters to insurance companies outline all damages, explain liability, and request specific compensation amounts. Most cases settle during this negotiation phase without going to court.
Litigation becomes necessary when insurance companies refuse fair settlements. Filing lawsuits shows we’re serious and often prompts better offers. Most cases still settle before trial.
Trial preparation includes depositions, expert witnesses, and presenting evidence to juries. Going to trial takes longer but sometimes delivers better results than settlements, especially for severe injuries.
Choosing the Right Car Accident Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens
Local experience matters because each county has different procedures, judges have different temperaments, and knowing local insurance adjusters creates negotiation advantages.
Track record proves results. Ask about recent settlements, trial victories, and specific experience with injuries similar to yours.
Resources available determine case quality. Smaller firms sometimes lack the money to hire expert witnesses or fund litigation costs that bigger cases require.
Communication frequency affects client satisfaction. You deserve regular updates, prompt responses to questions, and clear explanations about case strategy.
The fee structure should always be contingency-based for car accident cases. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. This arrangement ensures we work hard because our payment depends on your results.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After Accidents
Recorded statements hurt more cases than they help. Insurance adjusters ask leading questions designed to trap you into saying something that damages your claim. Never give recorded statements without consulting a lawyer first.
Settlement offers come fast and low. Insurance companies know injured people need money quickly and offer settlements before the full extent becomes clear. Early settlements rarely cover all damages.
Medical authorizations allow insurance companies to access all your medical records, looking for pre-existing conditions they can blame for your injuries. Limit what records they can access and when.
Social media monitoring catches people off guard. Adjusters search Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms for posts, photos, or comments suggesting injuries aren’t serious. One vacation photo can destroy otherwise strong cases.
Delay tactics wear people down. Insurance companies take months processing claims, request unnecessary documentation repeatedly, and hope you’ll give up or accept low offers out of frustration.
Protecting Your Rights After a Palm Beach Gardens Car Accident
Medical treatment consistency strengthens cases. Missing appointments or stopping treatment early signals insurance companies that injuries weren’t serious, even when pain continues.
Document everything related to your accident. Save all paperwork, take photos of injuries as they heal, and keep journals describing daily pain levels and activity limitations.
Follow the doctor’s recommendations exactly. If doctors prescribe physical therapy, attend every session. If they restrict work activities, don’t exceed those limits. Insurance companies hire investigators to catch people doing activities that doctors have prohibited.
Avoid discussing your case publicly. Conversations with friends, social media posts, and comments to strangers can all become evidence insurance companies use against you.
Preserve evidence from the accident scene. Keep damaged clothing, take ongoing photos of vehicle damage, and save any physical evidence proving crash severity.
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 Mistakes That Reduce Car Accident Settlements
- Admitting fault at accident scenes seems polite, but destroys cases. Let the police determine fault based on evidence, not your immediate reaction while still shaken from the crash.
- Accepting initial settlement offers almost always leaves money on the table. Insurance companies offer low amounts, hoping you don’t know your case’s true value.
- Waiting too long to hire legal help gives insurance companies advantages. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and you might say something damaging during those early adjuster calls.
- Posting on social media creates evidence against you. Insurance companies screenshot everything and present innocent posts as proof that you’re exaggerating injuries.
- Not seeking immediate medical attention gives insurance companies ammunition to claim injuries weren’t serious or didn’t result from the accident.
The aftermath of a car accident feels overwhelming. Medical bills pile up, insurance companies pressure you to settle quickly, and injuries prevent you from working. You don’t have to handle this alone. At Zoeller Law, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for Palm Beach Gardens car accident victims. We know Florida law, we understand insurance company tactics, and we fight hard for every dollar you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer all your questions. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Get experienced legal help protecting your rights and securing your financial future.
