Largo Car Accident Lawyer

What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Car Accident Victims?

Most car accident cases end with an insurance settlement or a verdict from the court. That’s how the plaintiff is awarded damages. Economic damages and non-economic damages are the two main types of awards. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages reimburse a plaintiff for actual financial losses. This makes a plaintiff financially whole again. 

Examples of economic damages include:

• Emergency medical bills 
• Cost of surgery
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy 
• Follow up appointments
• Lost wages
• Lost future earning capacity 
• Property damage 

Economic damages can also include other out-of-pocket expenses resulting from your accident or injury.

Non-Economic Damages 

Non-economic damages are payment for non-financial losses caused by the trauma of a car accident. 

Our lawyers regularly recover non-economic damages for:

• Physical pain and suffering 
• Emotional anguish
• Mental illness 
• Permanent disfigurement or scarring
• Inconvenience
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship

This type of damage is highly personal. It is an important way to recognize the invisible suffering that can happen after a traumatic car accident.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Car accident lawyers are a subset of personal injury lawyers. Personal injury lawyers work for a contingency fee. 

A contingency fee is an agreement where the client pays the lawyer at the end of the case. The client only pays the lawyer if they are awarded damages. If they are awarded damages, they pay a percentage depending on the agreement. 

This arrangement avoids hourly fees and monthly bills. It is more affordable for plaintiffs who are struggling to pay their bills because of an accident. A contingency fee also encourages lawyers to work hard on every case because if they lose, they won’t get paid at all.

Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident in Florida?

Yes. In general, there are two different ways to recover money for your losses if you are being blamed for a car accident.

Florida is a no-fault state. That means you can get paid through your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy, even if you caused an accident. However, PIP insurance doesn’t allow you to recover 100% of your damages. You can only get 80% of medical bills (with some exceptions) and 60% of lost income.

If you are allowed to file a lawsuit outside of the PIP system, then your compensation is subject to the modified comparative fault rule. This means you cannot recover damages if you are 51% or more responsible for causing the accident. If you are less than 51% responsible, then you can get proportionate damages.

Proportionate damages are damages minus your share of responsibility. So, if you are 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries

Our Largo car accident attorneys have represented clients suffering from:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Loss of eyesight
• Loss of hearing
• Crush injuries
• Organ damage
• Whiplash
• Back and neck pain

We can help you recover compensation regardless of your type of injury or the complexity of the case.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in Florida?

If you end up in court after a car accident, you’ll need to prove that the defendant was negligent. Negligence has four different elements. You must prove each element by a preponderance of the evidence. That means that it is more likely than not. 

The elements of negligence are: 

• Duty of care: The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
• Breach of duty: The defendant breached his duty of care
• Causation: The breach caused the accident 
• Damages: the plaintiff suffered economic and non-economic damages

You will collect and produce evidence to support your negligence case. A lawyer can help you identify the most valuable pieces of evidence.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Most people will get into a car accident at some point in their lives. The hope is always that it is minor and no one is injured. However, many people aren’t so lucky. If you do get into a car accident in Largo, there are a few steps that you should always take. 

Stop at the Scene

You should always stop after getting into a car accident. Even if you aren’t responsible for causing the accident, leaving the scene may open you up to criminal charges for a hit and run.

Make sure that you stop in a safe location as soon as possible. This could be on the side of the road, a median, or anywhere you are not obstructing traffic. If an accident is very severe, you may not be able to move your car at all. 

Call the Police

Florida law will require you to call the police after most car crashes. If someone is hurt or dead, or there is an estimated $500 damage or more, then you are obligated to call the police.

Calling the police can help your injury case in the long run. The police will write a police report, take photos, and collect witness statements. All of this can be helpful evidence in a civil case.

Seek Medical Attention

If you aren’t transported to the hospital in an ambulance, you should go to the doctor immediately after an accident. The doctor can evaluate you for injuries you may not notice until later. This will create a medical record that can be used to prove your injuries.

Collect Evidence at the Scene

Even if you call the police, collecting any evidence at the scene is helpful. This may include taking photographs of the cars or the scene, identifying people who saw the crash, or looking for cameras. 

Call a Lawyer 

It’s never too early to speak with a lawyer. A car accident attorney can help you file insurance claims and give official statements so that you don’t say something that can come back to hurt you. Plus, since most car accident lawyers charge a contingency fee, you won’t incur additional fees by seeking help.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Florida?

In Florida, you typically have two years to bring a personal injury claim. You will be barred from recovering compensation if you fail to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. Contact a car accident attorney immediately after a collision to avoid missing crucial deadlines in your case. 

There’s no harm in getting legal advice after a car accident in Largo, FL. A Largo car accident lawyer can help you avoid unfair blame, maximize your damages, and take the stress of handling a legal case off of your mind.

Call Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation and get started on your car crash case today.