Posts Tagged ‘Understanding’

Understanding Fault in Florida Car Accident Cases

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

No one likes to be found at fault for anything, but in Florida truck accidents, car accident cases, and any traffic accident, fault is a key issue. If someone is clearly at fault, through negligence or recklessness, in an accident, that person will often find their insurance company has to pay out more of the damages. In cases where someone is negligent while driving, that driver may also be sued. For example, if you sustain a Florida burn injury because another driver is texting and driving and runs a red light, you can bring a legal claim against that person to cover your injuries, medical treatment, lost income, and other damages suffered in the collision.

In many Florida car accidents, however, determining fault is not so simple. In some cases, it is not immediately apparent what has caused an accident. In other cases, liability is shared among many parties. For example, a tire defect could cause your car to spin out of control. At the same time, another driver may be distracted and a pedestrian may be crossing the street without the benefit of a crosswalk, causing an accident. In this case, the tire manufacturer (and possibly mechanic), other driver and potentially the pedestrian may be found partly liable. In cases where liability is not clear or is shared between parties, it is important to consult a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. A good attorney can investigate the accident and can help assign liability fairly.

Under Florida law, pure comparative fault is adopted to measure damages. This means that the victim’s percentage of fault is used to reduce the damages by that amount. This is often easier to explain by way of example. Let’s say that that Anne is in a Florida car accident that is deemed 50% her fault. She becomes a Florida spinal cord injury patient due to her accident and damages for the accident for her amount to 0 000. Anne can recover up to 0 000 in damages, since she is deduced 50% of the initial amount for her share (50%) in the accident.

It is important to note, however, that while Florida is a pure comparative fault state, many things can affect examples like the one above. First, determining the damages can be tricky. Some insurance providers can underestimate the damages of an accident. If Anne hires a qualified Florida personal injury attorney, for example, the attorney may find that the total expected costs and damages of Anne’s injuries may in fact be far greater, since the spinal cord injury may be permanent or long-term. As well, assigning fault is obviously a difficult concept. An insurance company may find that both drivers are equally at fault, but again, if Anne hires a good Florida personal injury attorney, her attorney may discover added details about the accident which change Anne’s percentage of fault. For example, the attorney may find that the initial investigation did not consider all evidence in the accident or that other parties are partly liable, too.

Since fault is so important in a Florida car accident, it is important not to admit fault until a through investigation of the car accident is complete and until you have retained the services of a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. In the aftermath of an accident, it is common for accusations to be made, but it is important to never agree to any accusations or agree to any responsibly until the accident has been investigated. In many Florida car accidents, fault is simply not as it seems. Admitting fault can affect your ability to recover fair damages for your accident. As well, when speaking to an insurance adjuster, be cautious about admitting fault. In some cases, adjusters want you to admit that you played a specific role in an accident. Do not agree to this until you have consulted with a qualified Florida attorney.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Understanding the Florida Car Accident Claims Process

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

If you have been in a Florida car accident, you may be anxious about the process. The process of filing a claim and dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be challenging, but by understanding what you are facing, you can often handle the situation more effectively. Of course, your case will begin with a Florida truck accident or car accident. Once you have been in an accident, your case begins and there are several things that you can do to protect yourself and your rights. For example, you may wish to start documenting any damage right at the accident scene. Once you have ensured that any injured parties have received help, you will want to exchange contact information with the other driver and with any witnesses.

Next, you will want to report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as you can. This allows you to file a claim to recover damages you have suffered in the accident, including any injuries requiring medical care. Once your claim is submitted, the insurance provider will have a claims adjuster contact you. This insurance professional will consider your deductibles, the limits of your insurance, and the coverage your provider offers to you. In simple accidents where there is little injury or damage, you may be asked to get an estimate for repairs and you may only need to fill out some documents to get your check for your damages.

If, however, there is a problem, there may be many more steps before you can receive your money. For example, if there is a liability issue or if you do not agree with the claim amount you are offered, further negotiation will usually have to take place. If there was a serious injury (requiring costly medical care) or serious damage, your insurance provider may become more proactive in looking at your claim.

If your Florida car accident was more serious, the insurance company will usually do some investigating before releasing any funds. An adjuster may examine medical reports, police reports, photos of the accident scene, and even contact witnesses and other persons involved in the accident. If you are a Florida spinal cord injury patient due to the accident or have sustained other significant injuries, the insurance company will usually contact your medical professionals to get details about your treatment and its costs. If you have substantial medical bills due to the accident, you may also need to fill out medical authorization documents so that your medical records can be released to the insurance company.

Once the insurance company has investigated the accident, they will send you an offer, which is also known as a settlement offer. This is the amount that the insurance company is willing to pay you, based on your accident and your insurance policy. In many cases, this initial offer is low and may not cover all your costs. This is because while insurance companies want to close the case, they also want to save money. If you have a good idea of your claim, you can also choose to send a demand letter to the insurance company before they send you a settlement offer. This letter outlines how much you want to receive to close the case, based on your injuries and any liability issues involved in the case.

If you cannot come to an agreement with your insurance company on a fair settlement offer, you will need to negotiate with your insurance adjuster. Often, it is useful to rely on an experienced Florida personal injury attorney for this. Attorneys understand insurance laws and have the leverage to negotiate effectively. In some cases, insurance adjusters are also more willing to offer a higher settlement offer once an attorney is involved. If your claim has been denied entirely, you will also want a Florida personal injury attorney to examine your insurance company’s claims and negotiate on your behalf.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog