Matthew R Boren Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Altamonte Springs

Yes, Florida is a no-fault state for car accidents. That means there can be some extra steps to sorting out insurance coverage and payment. There are advantages and disadvantages to this system. No fault doesn’t mean that you can never file a legal claim against the party responsible. If you have serious or permanent injury, or if death occurs, you may still bring a claim against the at fault driver.

The purpose of a car accident claim is to compensate the victim for losses. Of course, this is different for every person, because no two situations are alike. Many claims are resolved through insurance, so what losses are covered under existing policies will make a difference. Part of our job as your Altamonte Springs car accident and personal injury lawyer is to assess what your claim is worth and what’s needed to achieve that amount.

The general statute of limitations for a car accident or personal injury claim in Florida is two years. But you must seek medical attention within 14 days to be eligible for PIP benefits. You should never wait that long to seek medical care after an accident, though. Claims involving the government have a different filing process. There are different rules for medical malpractice claims. Never wait to contact a lawyer and start your case.

What you do after a serious injury matters. Even if you have a great case, you must prove it. The steps you take can make your case a lot easier – or harder. Here is what to do after a serious injury in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Stop additional harm

After an injury occurs, the danger may be ongoing. For car accidents, park your vehicle away from traffic, if possible. For other injuries, evaluate the scene including jostling crowds, water, malfunctioning equipment, electrical hazards and fire danger. Follow emergency operator instructions until help arrives.

Report the accident

For serious injuries, call for emergency responders. Follow the steps to report the accident, whether it is a car accident or another type of accident. When an injury occurs on someone else’s property, tell the property owner. Keep copies of accident or injury reports.

Preserve the evidence

Start preserving evidence. Your attorney will quickly gather evidence, too, but your work can jumpstart the process. Take photos and video of the accident scene. Take images from all angles, noting damage, any apparent sources of damage or things that are broken, and the greater scene. Get names of those involved and bystanders. Ask for their contact information. Because the injured person is likely too hurt and seeking medical attention, have someone else do these tasks.

Continue your care

Continue to receive medical care.  Follow care instructions. Keep records of the care that you receive plus incidental expenses and prescription bills. Document lost income and personal care expenses.

Contact a lawyer

It’s never too early to talk to a lawyer. As soon as you hire us, we’ll take over talking to the insurance company. We’ll answer your questions and get to work building your case. 

We make it easy! We can talk about your case in our offices, by phone, video chat, at the hospital or anywhere that is convenient for you.

Stay off social media

It can be tempting to tell everyone that you’re okay on social media. But avoid that mistake. Even just posting on social media can make the insurance company question if your injuries are serious. You may say things that are damaging to your case and not realize it. Just avoid posting on social media for now.

One of the reasons to have an Altamonte Springs car accident and personal injury lawyer is to avoid making mistakes that can hurt your case. Being the victim of a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident is bad enough. A sudden slip and fall, equipment accident or other personal injury can disrupt your life. You don’t want to worry about mistakes that can damage your opportunity for financial recovery.

Common mistakes in personal injury and car accident cases include:

• Saying sorry or making other statements that indicate fault
• Failing to get medical attention or document injuries
• Missing important categories of compensation like lost wages
• Not evaluating the possibility of a claim outside of the no-fault system
• Not reviewing insurance policies carefully
• Settling the case for too little
• Missing deadlines
• Negotiating in the wrong way
• Not identifying key issues that become critical in the case

When you have Matthew R. Boren as your Altamonte Springs car accident and injury attorney, you have a trained professional. He can identify what’s important in your case and focus on what matters to maximize your case results.

Yes. Many personal injury cases settle out of court in Florida. A settlement takes both parties to agree on how to resolve the case. A settlement is the result of careful case preparation and negotiation. To reach a fair settlement, you need to know what your case is worth. For a personalized consultation with a Florida lawyer, contact Matthew R Boren Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Altamonte Springs