Automobile collisions cause more injuries than most other accidents. With that in mind, you might assume that filing suit over a car crash that was not your fault is a straightforward matter that courts and insurance companies should be very comfortable handling. Unfortunately, for various reasons, that assumption almost never matches how claims like this play out in reality.
If you want to receive the maximum amount of compensation for the harm another negligent driver caused you, you need assistance from an experienced and dependable Aventura car accident lawyer. From helping you navigate insurance claims and settlement talks to guiding you through a civil lawsuit if it becomes necessary to file one, your personal injury attorney could provide irreplaceable guidance and support from start to finish of the recovery process.
Florida is one of a handful of states that takes a no-fault approach to auto insurance. Under the state’s current no-fault rules, every person with a car registered in their name must purchase and maintain an auto insurance policy with at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) benefits and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL) benefits, the latter of which is meant to cover accident-related damage to property owned by someone other than the policyholder.
PIP benefits will provide restitution for up to 80 percent of the policyholder’s crash-related medical bills, 60 percent of their lost work wages, and $5,000 in death benefits. However, as an Aventura auto accident attorney could explain in more detail, the $10,000 policy limit only kicks in if a claimant suffers an emergency medical condition as defined by Florida Statutes § 395.002(8). Otherwise, PIP coverage will typically max out at $2,500.
Car crash victims in Florida can only step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation through a third-party lawsuit for additional damages if they suffered a permanent injury from the wreck. This typically means an injury that will result or has already resulted directly in the PIP policyholder’s premature death, or one that will likely cause them to suffer permanent disability or disfigurement. This can include everything from broken bones to soft tissue injuries.
Someone who has grounds to sue over a car wreck can demand compensation for various economic and non-economic forms of harm, including all medical bills and lost wages not covered by insurance, personal property damage, physical pain, and psychological distress. However, trying to pursue a car crash case like this without an Aventura lawyer’s help will almost always lead to an unsatisfactory outcome and often one that leaves a seriously injured person with no civil restitution at all.
Getting caught up in a traffic wreck that was not your fault can be an intensely traumatic experience, even if you are able to walk away from the scene without any serious injuries. Under less fortunate circumstances, a single moment of carelessness by another driver could lead to you suffering life-altering and even life-threatening harm. Without a skilled attorney’s assistance, you might have serious trouble taking proactive legal action over that harm in order to get the financial recovery you deserve.
An Aventura car accident lawyer could provide answers to pressing questions and guidance about your legal options during a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.