auto accidents in florida
Know Your Rights in a Crash
Florida’s roads get more crowded every year, and the total number of crashes keep rising. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were nearly 400,000 total crashes in 2016, involving 668,699 drivers. That adds up to 1,081 crashes each day!
In Orange County and Seminole County, there were nearly 36,000 crashes in 2016 alone. Sadly, those crashes caused more than 25,000 injuries and, tragically, 212 deaths.
Florida’s auto accident laws can be confusing. But you must know your rights, because if you suffer severe or permanent injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. The experienced Seminole County auto accident attorneys at Filler & Hedum Law are ready to help recover what’s owed to you.
No-fault insurance rule in Florida
For car accidents, Florida has a no-fault insurance system. That means you are required to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of your auto insurance. If you suffer minor injuries in a car accident in Florida, that PIP coverage will provide minor injuries or lost income, no matter who was at fault. You have to file a claim with your own insurance agency to make that happen.
What happens if my injuries are serious?
Florida Statute 627.737 allows you to seek compensation above what your insurance offers in four instances:
How long do I have to seek compensation from an auto accident?
As per Florida’s statute of limitations in car accidents, you have 4 years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. This is helpful, because sometimes you don’t realize the long-term effects you’ll have from an accident until weeks and sometimes months later.
How much am I entitled to receive?
Florida limits damages for pain and suffering (also called punitive damages) to three times the amount of compensatory (financial) damages, or $500,000, whichever is greater. Florida also has a pure comparative negligence rule, which means, in cases that go to court, the amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive will be reduced by the amount equal to your percentage of fault.
What do I do if I’m in a serious car accident?
If at all possible, you should find witnesses at the scene, take photographs of any damages, write down the details as you remember them, and make note of any adverse weather or road conditions.
The Orange County auto accident attorneys at the Filler & Hedum Law Firm in Longwood, Seminole County, will perform an extensive investigation of your case and seek our all potential parties who may be financially liable. We’ll demand honesty from insurance companies, and we’ll help you determine the full extent of all injuries suffered and make sure you get the best opportunity to recover.
Florida’s roads get more crowded every year, and the total number of crashes keep rising. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were nearly 400,000 total crashes in 2016, involving 668,699 drivers. That adds up to 1,081 crashes each day!
In Orange County and Seminole County, there were nearly 36,000 crashes in 2016 alone. Sadly, those crashes caused more than 25,000 injuries and, tragically, 212 deaths.
Florida’s auto accident laws can be confusing. But you must know your rights, because if you suffer severe or permanent injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. The experienced Seminole County auto accident attorneys at Filler & Hedum Law are ready to help recover what’s owed to you.
No-fault insurance rule in Florida
For car accidents, Florida has a no-fault insurance system. That means you are required to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of your auto insurance. If you suffer minor injuries in a car accident in Florida, that PIP coverage will provide minor injuries or lost income, no matter who was at fault. You have to file a claim with your own insurance agency to make that happen.
What happens if my injuries are serious?
Florida Statute 627.737 allows you to seek compensation above what your insurance offers in four instances:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
How long do I have to seek compensation from an auto accident?
As per Florida’s statute of limitations in car accidents, you have 4 years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. This is helpful, because sometimes you don’t realize the long-term effects you’ll have from an accident until weeks and sometimes months later.
How much am I entitled to receive?
Florida limits damages for pain and suffering (also called punitive damages) to three times the amount of compensatory (financial) damages, or $500,000, whichever is greater. Florida also has a pure comparative negligence rule, which means, in cases that go to court, the amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive will be reduced by the amount equal to your percentage of fault.
What do I do if I’m in a serious car accident?
If at all possible, you should find witnesses at the scene, take photographs of any damages, write down the details as you remember them, and make note of any adverse weather or road conditions.
The Orange County auto accident attorneys at the Filler & Hedum Law Firm in Longwood, Seminole County, will perform an extensive investigation of your case and seek our all potential parties who may be financially liable. We’ll demand honesty from insurance companies, and we’ll help you determine the full extent of all injuries suffered and make sure you get the best opportunity to recover.
Free consultation and Personal Injury/Accident Law Case Review
If you have questions about an auto accident case in Florida, call Filler & Hedum Law today for a comprehensive free consultation. Filler & Hedum’s commitment to our clients allows clients to focus on what really matters – recovery. We work to give clients the greatest possible chance to be fully compensated for their injuries, pain and suffering. Attorneys Samuel Filler and Kelly Hedum are awaiting your call.
Choices matter. Choose Wisely. Choose Filler & Hedum Law – 407-772-0700.
Choices matter. Choose Wisely. Choose Filler & Hedum Law – 407-772-0700.