Get a Free Consultation With Top-Rated Auto Accident Injury Attorneys in Hollywood, FL at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A.
During the chaotic aftermath of a car accident, it is crucial to handle your legal matters effectively to reduce risk and secure compensation. As skilled Hollywood car accident lawyers, we are available to assist you in achieving these goals.
Next to your medical recovery, getting expert legal representation might be the most important step to take after a car accident. For one, winning a claim can help pay for long-term treatment and compensate you for lost wages to aid in financial recovery.
This is important in Hollywood and throughout Broward County, where car accidents are so common; in 2022 alone, there were 35,393 car crashes that resulted in 20,885 injuries and 237 fatalities.
But filing and winning a claim or a personal injury lawsuit is not easy. The people responsible for the accident and their insurers will do everything they can to avoid paying damages, including downplaying the victim’s injuries or shifting blame for the accident. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and need.
Why File an Injury Claim with Our Hollywood Car Accident Lawyers?
Florida is one of twelve states that have no-fault insurance. A no-fault policy means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy should pay for medical costs and car repair no matter who was at fault.
However, the mandated PIP policy, which maxes out at $10,000 of medical expenses, is probably not enough to cover all your medical costs if you sustained serious injuries. You may also have caused significant property damage exceeding the required $10,000 minimum.
The good news is, you can seek more compensation from the party who caused your accident and their insurer. No-fault insurance rules don’t prohibit car accident victims from seeking additional compensation and holding the at-fault party financially responsible for the accident.
Filing a claim with the renowned Hollywood car accident lawyers at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. is essential for auto accident injury victims seeking expert legal representation. With years of experience in handling car accident cases, our skilled team understands the intricacies of the legal system and knows how to navigate complex insurance processes to maximize compensation for our clients. We offer personalized attention, aggressive advocacy, and a deep commitment to protecting our clients’ rights. Our compassionate approach combined with our extensive knowledge and resources make us the ideal choice for auto accident injury victims who need dedicated legal support to pursue justice and fair compensation.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Florida?
In addition to what your insurance policy covers, you’re entitled to receive damages for the suffering and loss you endured as a result of the accident. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs are not covered or reimbursed by your own PIP policy
- Lost wages and earnings if you couldn’t work or run a business after the accident
- Long-term expenses due to temporary or permanent disability caused by the accident
- Emotional pain and suffering, including that caused by the death of a loved one
- Damages for trauma, scarring, and humiliation due to disfigurement
- Cost of car repair or recovery for the value of your car in case it was totaled
Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit is the only way to recover damages for intangible loss and suffering, such as emotional trauma. This is usually the most difficult part of the claims process because such damages need to be valued appropriately and proven.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our experienced auto accident injury attorneys in Hollywood, FL can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries. From getting expert witnesses such as psychologists and accident reconstruction experts to collecting video evidence and witness reports, we do whatever is necessary to help you win your car accident case.
How to Win Your Auto Accident Injury Claim in Hollywood, Florida
Car accident claims are a type of personal injury case, which means they require you to present facts that prove three main points:
- That the other party owed you a “duty of care,” in this case, the duty to drive safely, give you the right of way or stop at a red light
- The other party failed to fulfill this duty of care, e.g, they were driving while intoxicated or were speeding at the time of the accident
- This failure caused your injuries and property damage, for example, their erratic driving caused a car accident that led to your broken limbs or internal injuries
This is much harder in practice if you don’t have the help of a knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer. You need to collect police reports, witness statements, video or photo evidence, and diligently document your injuries and financial losses.
Even with all this, insurance companies are old hands at making people trip up by admitting fault; they can even bully you into accepting lowball settlements. The guidance and professional representation of our auto accident injury attorneys in Hollywood, FL can help protect your rights from exploitative insurance companies.
What to Do After Your Car Accident in Florida
What you do immediately after your car accident claim in Florida will directly affect the claims process. The first step after any auto accident is to stop safely and seek help by calling 911. If you or anyone else is injured, get medical help immediately.
Apart from that, it’s also vital to do your best to collect evidence at the scene of the accident or ask someone to do it for you. That includes taking photos of the cars involved, the road conditions, traffic lights, and anything else that might help prove your case.
At the same time, collect the contact information of the other driver and any witnesses at the scene who can be later contacted to give statements. When the police arrive at the scene, get the name of the officer who wrote the report.
Other things you should keep in mind include:
- When talking to police officers and insurance agents, don’t admit fault (even if you think you were responsible) and only give facts without subjective opinions or speculation
- Keep a copy of all documentation, including medical bills, car repair invoices, receipts, police reports, and medical reports, among others
- Follow your doctor’s instructions faithfully
- File a claim with your insurer first and as soon as possible
If your insurance company refuses to pay your claim or the policy limits are not enough to cover your medical treatment and car repair, then you have grounds to file an insurance claim or even file a lawsuit. This is the stage where the help of expert Hollywood car accident lawyers is vital.
How Much Can You Win in Damages?
Severe injuries, especially ones that involve temporary or permanent disability, attract the highest settlement amounts. Car accident lawyers use various approved methods to calculate the value of damages based on the extent of injuries suffered, lost wages and earnings (present and future), and emotional suffering.
You need to support and prove all the damages claimed, which competent Hollywood car accident lawyers can help you do. Things become more difficult if you are also partly responsible for the accident.
Florida follows comparative negligence rules, which means you get compensation for the other party’s share of fault in the accident so long as you were not more than 49% responsible. For example, let’s say you were 20% at fault for the accident. You will be compensated for 80% of the damages.
The best auto accident injury attorneys in Hollywood, FL use their resources and skill to minimize fault and maximize the damages you get.
Contact Our Hollywood Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Hollywood, FL, do not hesitate to contact Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. for experienced and compassionate legal representation. We are committed to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Our unique client-centered approach means we handle each case individually and go further than anyone else to know you and the circumstances you’re in. This approach helps us develop a keen desire to help our clients recover the damages they’re owed and helps them get through the whole process as comfortably as possible. We handle the investigations, negotiations with insurance companies, communications, and claim submissions.
Schedule a free consultation with our Hollywood car accident lawyers today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee
Hollywood Car Accident Lawyers Answer Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accidents in Hollywood, FL
If you’ve had a serious car accident in Florida, it’s a good idea to contact a local car accident lawyer as soon as possible. This allows time to collect evidence while it is still fresh and leaves room for expert lawyers to guide you through the claims process. You’re also safe from the intimidation and bullying tactics used by insurance companies to lowball your claim.
Car accidents are personal injury cases, so they are charged on a contingency basis. That means you pay a percentage of your settlement amount if you win. Any expenses, such as documentation and travel costs, are also taken from the settlement. If you don’t win the case, you don’t have to pay legal fees. In Florida, these charges are capped at 33% of the settlement for cases that don’t go to trial and 40% for cases that do go to trial.
The best car accident lawyers are those who will handle your case personally and with compassion. If you’ve had a car accident in Hollywood or anywhere else in Broward County, call the qualified Hollywood car accident lawyers at Gonzalez & Cartright for a free initial consultation.