Lakeland Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident in Florida, your own insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages through what's known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), regardless of who caused the accident.

For property damage, the "at-fault" driver's Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance is responsible.

You can pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company if you have severe injuries or the costs are more than the policy covers.

Suing an insurance company can be worth it if they won't pay what they should, take forever, or lowball you.

Insurance companies focus on profit first. They want to pay the least amount they can or find loopholes to avoid paying anything at all. If your injuries cost more than the policy covers, a lawsuit may be necessary.

You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident caused someone to die, the limit to file a wrongful death claim is two years from when they died.

We call this limit the "statute of limitations."

But you should go see a doctor within 14 days (ideally before 7 days) of the accident if you want your PIP insurance to pay for medical bills.

This rule applies no matter how severe your injuries are.

And if you don't go see a doctor, the insurance companies will likely argue you weren't hurt that bad.

Consult with an attorney as soon as you can. Know your rights so the insurance companies can't take advantage of you.

Yes, Florida is a no-fault accident state. This means each driver's own insurance pays for their medical bills and lost wages. No matter who caused the crash.

Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers this. And all Florida drivers must have it.

However, PIP does not cover things like damage to your vehicle or "pain and suffering." If things are bad enough, you may be able to sue the "at-fault" driver.

Car accident settlements in Florida vary a lot. Things like injury severity, medical costs, and lost wages are key factors. Here's a general breakdown:

• Minor Injuries: Settlements often range from $5,000 to $20,000.
• Moderate Injuries: Settlements may fall between $10,000 and $50,000.
• Severe Injuries: Settlements can range from $50,000 to over $100,000. It all depends on the circumstances.

Note, these figures are just estimates. Any settlement depends on the unique details of that case, including insurance coverage, fault, and legal strategy. Talk to a personal injury attorney for a more accurate assessment of your situation.

No, insurance companies do not want you to get a lawyer. They prefer handling claims with you one-on-one for three reasons:

1. They can offer less money than your case is worth.
2. They control the process and may delay or deny your claim.
3. They avoid legal pressure, which can force them to pay more.

Don't let an insurance company pressure you into settling quickly. They'll try so you don't have a chance to get legal advice.

Most personal injury lawyers won't charge anything upfront. Instead, they work on a what's known as a contingency fee basis. That means:

• You pay nothing upfront.
• The lawyer only gets paid if you win.
• Their fee is usually 33%–40% of your settlement or court award.

That may seem like a lot. But you're a lot more likely to walk away with more money in total if you get a good personal injury lawyer than if you don't.

Insurance companies love to lowball people who don't have a lawyer. But a good injury lawyer knows how to put the pressure back on them and negotiate a fair value for you.

People sue after an accident because insurance doesn’t always pay enough. Lawsuits help people get money for:

• Medical bills beyond insurance limits
• Lost wages from missing work
• Pain and suffering that PIP won’t cover
• Property damage if the at-fault driver’s insurance won’t pay
• Wrongful death if a loved one dies in the accident

If insurance companies can't rush you to a lowball settlement, they'll try to:

• Delay the process, hoping you'll give up and accept a low offer
• Deny your claim outright, arguing their policyholder isn't at fault or that your injuries aren't serious
• Defend themselves by bringing in lawyers to dispute your claim and attack you

Don't try to fight them on your own. Let a lawyer do it for you.