If you were hurt in a traffic crash that was not your fault, you may have a lot of questions about what you can do about your injuries and losses from a legal standpoint. The specific answers to those questions can vary a lot from person to person, especially in light of Florida’s no-fault approach to auto insurance claims.
However, what is consistent in every car accident case is how important a practiced personal injury attorney’s representation is to getting the best possible resolution from settlement talks or a civil court trial. By working with a seasoned North Miami car accident lawyer, you could proactively enforce your rights in pursuit of the restitution you need, all while avoiding legal roadblocks and minimizing additional stress for yourself and your loved ones.
Drivers involved in auto accidents that result in any physical injury or in what appears to be at least $500 of property damage must report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible, which typically means calling 911 from the scene of the crash. Additionally, all involved parties must stop their vehicles at the scene and out of the flow of traffic if possible, summon emergency services to the scene if anyone has been seriously injured, and exchange contact and insurance information with each other.
In addition to doing all this, it can also be helpful for people involved in auto accidents to take some preliminary evidence-gathering steps before leaving the scene, such as:
This can be invaluable information for a North Miami auto accident attorney to make use of while constructing a settlement demand or lawsuit later on.
Thanks to Florida’s no-fault insurance rules, not every auto accident can serve as grounds for a lawsuit, even if it stems entirely from the misconduct of someone else. However, if an injured person does have grounds to sue over a wreck, it can be just as important for them to prove they were not at fault for causing the incident.
This is because of the pure comparative fault rules codified in Florida Statutes § 768.81, which allows a court to assign percentages of fault to injured people to account for their own negligence leading up to their accident and reduce their available compensation by that same percentage. A capable car crash lawyer in North Miami could help proactively contest allegations along these lines and maximize financial recovery in doing so.
Auto accidents are fairly common causes of personal injuries, but that does not mean vehicle accident cases are easy to get good results from. Many people who try to seek financial compensation over wrecks without help from legal counsel find themselves unable to get any money for their damages.
Representation from a North Miami car accident lawyer will dramatically improve your chances of securing a positive case result and obtaining the restitution you need after your crash. Call Kaire & Heffernan today to get started on your potential claim.