Ocoee Car Accident Lawyer
The effects of a car accident can remain with you for the rest of your life. If you were seriously hurt in a crash, the medical bills and chronic pain that result will represent just a fraction of your losses. Fortunately, you do have many options for claiming compensation in Florida and an Ocoee car accident lawyer can explain what those are, and help you claim the full settlement you deserve.
No-Fault Auto Insurance Laws in Ocoee
Car accidents in Ocoee, as throughout the rest of Florida, are governed by no-fault auto insurance laws. Under these laws, all motorists are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. After an accident, injured individuals can file a claim to recover 80 percent of their reasonable medical expenses. Due to the fact that auto insurance is no-fault in Florida, when claiming this compensation, you do not need to prove someone else was at fault for your crash. You can also still claim compensation even if you contributed to the accident.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident
The PIP limits in Florida are only $10,000, which is often not enough to fully cover the cost of serious injuries. For example, after a spinal cord injury that causes paralysis, the cost to treat the injury is approximately $110,000 every year following the crash. If you have exhausted the compensation available in your own auto insurance policy and the damages still do not cover the cost of your injury, you can file a claim against the negligent party.
When filing a personal injury claim against an at-fault party, you must prove they were negligent, or careless. Texting and driving, drunk driving, and speeding are just a few forms of negligence that cause car accidents. You must prove the negligent act, and show that it caused the accident that resulted in your injuries.
A personal injury claim will require your Ocoee car accident lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company that covers the at-fault party. While you are not required to work with an attorney, doing so will result in you being able to claim much more in damages than if you represented yourself. Insurance companies are notorious for denying accident victims their rightful compensation and are less likely to do this when the injured party has legal representation.
In the event that the insurance company does not want to pay you fair compensation, you may have to file a lawsuit against them. Additionally, if you exhaust the limits of the insurance policy, you may have to file a lawsuit directly against the liable party. Even after a lawsuit is filed, negotiations will continue, but some cases do have to go to trial.
Call Our Car Accident Lawyer in Ocoee for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a crash, our Ocoee car accident lawyer at Goldman Law, P.A. can advise on which type of claim you should file. Call us today at 407-960-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable attorney.
