Although it seems unlikely that anyone could be in a fatal car accident, thousands of St. Petersburg drivers are at risk. There are many freeways in Florida that run through major cities. Accidents can happen. According to state data, Pinellas County had 7,161 accidents and 38 deaths from traffic collisions in 2012.
A car accident can cause you to suffer from chronic pain and mental anguish, as well as huge medical bills. You may also be unable to pay your bills or work because of the injuries. An experienced attorney can help in these cases by filing a lawsuit for you.
Jenkins’s St. Petersburg Law office offers free consultations to all potential clients. Our knowledgeable lawyers only charge if they can bring you a favorable verdict. We believe there should not be any obstacles to you fighting for justice. Fill out our free, no-obligation case review.
An Auto Accident Claim
Florida law requires that all drivers have at least $10,000 in “personal injury coverage” before they can drive a car. PIP typically covers 80 percent of medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages due to injuries. Because you can get compensation regardless of fault, PIP is also called “no-fault insurance”.
Many times, however, the amount of compensation offered is not enough. PIP does not cover property damage or mental and emotional health services. An attorney can help you file a lawsuit if you are seriously injured and need more money than your PIP policy can provide.
Your lawyer must show that you are not responsible for the accident and that you need compensation in order to be successful.
For those who don’t know the laws that govern negligence cases, determining fault can be a complicated process. Florida is a state with a high degree of comparative fault. This means that the amount you can receive in a negligence case will depend on how at fault you are for the accident. If you are found to be 20 percent responsible for the accident, you will only receive 80 percent of the compensation for the damages.
A lawyer is the first step to navigating the complicated rules of filing a claim with your insurance company or the insurance company representing the victim.
Insurance Companies
Many insurance companies hesitate to offer policyholders the necessary compensation after an accident. Because thousands of policyholders overstate their injuries and fail to provide evidence or paperwork, many insurance companies are reluctant to pay the compensation they need.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you in claiming compensation. They can also negotiate with insurance companies to get as much compensation as possible without violating your policy.
Your lawyer will conduct an initial investigation to collect evidence. Although collecting evidence can be time-consuming, legal professionals are able to navigate the process quickly and collect information from many sources.
- Interviewing witnesses and medical personnel.
- Collaborate with forensic experts in order to determine the cause of your crash.
- Talk to a medical professional about the extent of your injuries.
- Take video and photos of the incident.
- Collect all past information, including DUI convictions and traffic violations, about the parties to the incident.
Although you don’t need all this information to file a claim with your insurance company, it may be useful if the other party is sued. Through his or her investigation, your attorney can estimate the likelihood of you being awarded any money.
Contact Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyers
Our attorneys might be able to assist you if you have suffered injuries from an auto accident that was not your fault. You don’t have to worry about paying legal fees upfront. If we achieve a favorable settlement, or award, we only charge a fee. For a free consultation, contact us today.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a car accident attorney in St Petersburg. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injury. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation.
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