Car accidents are common occurrences in Orlando, and the results are often overwhelming for the victims. And, it can add a whole new level of anxiety to the entire scenario when you are at fault. When you are liable for a car accident in Florida, you must know about your legal rights and financial responsibilities. In Florida, you can still secure compensation for your losses, even when you are at fault. The state law only deducts a chunk from your compensation amount based on the degree of your fault. With the assistance of an expert car accident attorney in Orlando, you can protect your personal injury rights. When the situation seems impossible to overcome, consult an attorney to know your legal options to reach a fair settlement regardless of your fault in the car crash. Connect with our lawyers at Injury Assistance Law Firm if you have suffered a car accident.
Florida – A No-Fault State
Florida is a no-fault state. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, every driver in the state must have a minimum of $10,000 of PIP (Personal Injury Protection Insurance) and $10,000 of PDL (Property Damage Liability). A no-fault state requires its car owners to file claims with their own car insurance to compensate for medical expenses, loss of working ability, and income, as well as other economic and non-economic damages of other parties.
Florida Statute of Limitations
After a car accident, you have to file a claim within two years of the date of the car accident. Whether you hold responsibility for the accident or not, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. In Florida, the deadline is two years. This deadline is referred to as a “statute of limitations.”
What’s Comparative Negligence?
Florida follows a law called the “pure comparative negligence” rule. The law reduces the amount of compensation for losses and damages in a car accident based on the degree of liability the victim shares in the accident. The comparative negligence law applies to any personal injury case, including car accidents. For instance, when you are partially at fault in Orlando, Florida, how much would you receive after an accident? In an accident where the victim is found to be 10% responsible for the accident, the party holds the potential to receive 90% of the compensation on the claim.
What to Do If You Are At Fault in A Car Accident?
Let’s have a look at what you should do after you have been at fault in a car accident.
- Call 911 and Report the Accident
Call 911 and report the crash to the emergency team. After you’ve suffered a car accident, don’t escape the scene. Even if the accident is minor, report the accident to the local police. The police officers will investigate the scene and create a document.
- Focus on Your Safety and Seek Medical Assistance
After an accident, your priority is to take care of your physical injuries, irrespective of who caused the crash. Call for medical assistance even when the accident seems minor. A few internal injuries may not show any symptoms immediately, but can surface after days of the accident. And, not having instant medical attention could affect your compensation claim later.
- Never Admit Your Fault
Instantly after an accident, the victim is in a vulnerable state, both mentally and physically. And, it’s a crucial point, when a victim is more likely to take the blame for the accident and apologize to the other parties. Just after an accident, you may think yourself liable for the accident, but the liability is not clear. A single incorrect statement may impact your claim forever. Only speak the facts when talking to the police, and don’t discuss your fault with the other parties present at the scene. Under the guidance of your car accident Lawyer, know what to say and not about the accident in public.
- Exchange and Gather Information
After contacting the police and seeking medical attention, exchange information with the other drivers and parties present at the scene. Collect information such as name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance details. Keep the discussion crisp, polite, and to the point. Don’t apologize or admit your fault while talking, even by mistake.
- Document the Accident Scene
When you feel safe and have contacted the authorities, take some time to document the accident scene. You can take photos and capture videos as evidence. You can take pictures of vehicle damage from different angles, physical injuries, road conditions, or other potential contributing factors. These pieces of evidence protect your rights. Even when you are at fault, detailed documentation represents your side of the story as it is.
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Report to your insurance company about the crash immediately after a car accident. Even when the other party’s driver is uninjured, it’s preferable to reach the insurance company. When you fail to report the accident within the given timeline, your insurance company might not defend you in your lawsuit. Be honest when you speak with your injurer. Inquire about your coverage and the next steps to take. Your insurer would look into the claim and negotiate with the other party’s insurer if you are at fault. Your liability coverage compensates for the treatment costs and damages caused to the other driver’s vehicle.
- Consult Legal Professionals
When you are at fault in a car accident, you must consult a car accident attorney to protect your personal injury rights. At Injury Assistance Law Firm, our car accident attorney fights for you and makes sure you are not blamed for more than your liability has caused.
Who Proves the Fault?
Evidence. It’s always the evidence that establishes the fault in a car accident case. Our seasoned attorneys may check the traffic camera footage, see the accident report, and interview the witnesses. The car accident lawyers may consult with accident reconstruction experts to review how the accident occurred. It makes the process easier to review the accident and leads you toward the right direction.
How Much to Pay Your Car Accident Attorney?
The fees of personal injury professionals depend on multiple factors. Injury Assistance Law Firm follows the contingency fee structure, where you don’t have to pay any upfront cost to the lawyer after an accident. The attorney will receive a percentage of your settlement value only after you win the case. Only when your case reaches a resolution do you pay the lawyer.
After you have been in a car crash, get a free case evaluation to know about your legal options. While you are already struggling with your losses, physical injuries, and mental trauma, the contingency-fee structure offers relief. You don’t have to think of money before taking any step; instead, you could rely on the car accident attorneys to fight for your rights and bring you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve against your losses.
Connect with Us
When you share liability in a car accident case in Orlando, you can still recover your losses. Report to the police, collect evidence, seek medical assistance, and connect with our personal injury attorneys at Injury Assistance Law Firm. Your financial claim will come under Florida’s comparative negligence rule when you are at fault.
Your recovery is the priority after you have been in an accident. Let our attorneys take your legal deal in hand so you can get back on your feet soon. You may not be aware of your rights, which could impact the value of your settlement. Contact the attorneys at Injury Assistance Law Firm in Orlando and Winter Haven to learn more about your next steps.