In the event of a collision, Florida motorists typically rely on their own PIP and auto insurance coverage to cover their losses. However, in some cases, there may be more damages than your own policy will cover.
If your needs are more extensive than the insurance policy covers, there may be other options. A Weston personal injury lawyer can help you identify other avenues of compensation and fight to maximize your financial recovery.
The Weston car accident attorneys of Winston Law Firm have been helping Florida accident victims since 1989. We know the challenges people face in accident claims. We are here to help you get through them and move forward.
You May Be Able to Pursue Compensation Beyond the No-Fault Insurance Policy
Florida is a “no-fault” state meaning that all drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance that pays for their own medical bills and lost wages after a crash, regardless of who was at fault.
However, this no-fault coverage is limited and may not fully compensate you for your injuries and losses, especially in catastrophic accidents.
If your injuries meet the legal threshold of being permanent, significant or causing permanent disfigurement or disability, you have the right to step outside of the no-fault system.
You Don’t Have to Settle for Less Than You’re Owed
You can then file a liability claim directly against the at-fault driver to pursue additional compensation beyond the restrictive PIP policy limits.
Our attorneys can evaluate the severity of your injuries and help determine if you meet the serious injury threshold. Filing a liability claim allows you to hold the negligent party fully accountable for their reckless actions that caused your harm. For more information on mistakes to avoid, take a look at our e-book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
What Qualifies Under the Serious Injury Threshold in Florida?
After being involved in a crash, your normal course of action is to make a claim with your insurance company to seek compensation for the resulting financial losses.
But, if you meet the requirements of Florida Statute 627.737, you can sue the other driver for damages. Our car accident lawyers in Weston can help you understand how your injuries may qualify under this threshold.
The “serious injury threshold” is reached when one suffers from at least one of the following conditions:
- Significant restriction of a bodily function
- Permanent limitation of a bodily organ
- Significant disfigurement
A third-party claim can be made to the negligent motorist’s insurance company if any of the above situations apply. Getting money for things like pain and suffering and emotional anguish is possible, which aren’t covered by PIP benefits.
Injuries We Commonly Claim
Some of the accident-related injuries our Weston auto accident lawyers often claim include:
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limb
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
These severe injuries frequently require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Accident victims may face astronomical medical bills, inability to work, permanent disabilities, and diminished quality of life.
Our personal injury attorneys meticulously document all harm suffered to pursue maximum compensation for present and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
We fight tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the financial recovery needed to rebuild their lives after devastating car crashes.
Types of Accidents We Can Help You With
Our firm can protect your rights in a wide range of situations. We commonly help injury victims and their families to pursue financial compensation after losses from:
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- T-Bone accidents
- Fatal accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Drunk driving accidents
- Fatal car accidents–wrongful death
For more information on motorcycle accident, in particular, review our free e-book, The Florida Motorcycle Accident Bible.
What Damages Can I Recover?
Economic damages refer to the monetary losses you incurred as a result of the collision. Your past and future medical costs are examples of economic damages. The wages you lose, loss of earning potential, repairs to your car, and property damage can all rack up high costs.
In addition, there is compensation for non-economic damages. The losses listed here have affected your life but did not cost you any money. Damages that cannot be quantified in monetary terms include emotional anguish, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Personal Injury Claim?
Any personal injury lawsuit in Florida can be complicated, but a Weston car accident attorney will know how to navigate the legal waters. They can aid in locating additional parties who might be held accountable, like a town, a manufacturer of faulty automobile components, or even the employer of the at-fault driver.
The parties are more inclined to comply with your lawyer’s requests to avoid costly litigation. Because of what your car accident lawyer will do to help with your case, you will be able to focus on other matters. An experienced lawyer will be able to assist you by:
- Negotiating with insurance companies and other attorneys and responding to their inquiries
- Evidence-gathering and investigation to determine who is at fault
- Keeping track of legal due dates and submitting required documentation
- Consulting with doctors and accident investigators in preparation for testifying
- Trial preparation and representation in court if required
- Helping you understand the legal process and the outcomes you might expect.
- Complying with Florida state law when conducting your case
If you’ve been in a car accident, hiring an attorney to handle the legal aspects of the situation can free you up to focus on your recovery. Any personal injury lawsuit in Florida can be complicated, but an experienced lawyer will know how to handle your case.
Contact a Weston Auto Accident Law Firm Today
Recovery from a car crash injury is difficult enough as it is. Those who have been hurt should not be expected to put in the time and effort needed to win a claim.
If your damages exceed the limits of your no-fault insurance policy, it can help you to seek counsel from an attorney.
A Weston car accident lawyer with Winston Law Firm can help you fight to recover full and fair compensation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you in a free initial consultation.
