Get a Free Consultation With Top-Rated Auto Accident Injury Attorneys in Miramar, FL at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A.
After your car accident in Miramar, FL, it’s important to stand up for your legal rights. Even though filing a car accident claim or lawsuit can be difficult, the expert Miramar car accident lawyers at Gonzalez & Cartwright can help you file insurance claims and even sue the at-fault party to recover compensation for your pain and suffering.
Florida’s no-fault auto insurance rules say that your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy should pay for your injury and any property damages. But what happens if your insurer denies your claim or your policy can’t cover all the medical bills? In such a case, it’s important to hold the party who caused your accident and injuries responsible. They and their insurer should compensate you and help you pay for injuries and lost wages so that you can recover medically and financially.
As experienced auto accident injury attorneys in Miramar, FL, we’re here to help you navigate the claims process successfully. Contact us today for a free consultation about your claim.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Miramar and Throughout Florida
Broward County had 35,393 car crashes in 2022, in which 20,885 victims were injured and 237 lost their lives. It’s one of the counties in Florida with a higher-than-average traffic accident rate.
Whether you were a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or Uber or Lyft customer involved in a car accident in Florida, there are several important steps you should take to help you win your claim.
- Seek medical attention for yourself and anyone else involved in the accident by calling 911 and asking for an ambulance and the police.
- Collect evidence at the scene or ask someone to do it for you. That includes photos, videos, and the contact information of witnesses and police officers who respond.
- After visiting the hospital, keep records of documentation related to the accident, including medical bills, receipts, invoices, and communication.
- Notify your insurance company as soon as you can, usually within days of the accident.
- Collect and prepare all the relevant information and file a claim with your insurer.
If your insurance company denies your claim or if the payout can’t cover the cost of medical treatment and property damage, contact Gonzalez & Cartwright’s auto accident injury attorneys in Miramar, FL. We will review your case for free and determine whether you should file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
If that is necessary, our expert team will also help conduct investigations and gather the evidence necessary to prove that the other party was at fault. In some cases, third parties, such as car manufacturers and government agencies, may also be at fault for the accident.
Handling Insurance Company Negotiations After a Car Accident
Insurance companies have 30 days to respond after you report an accident and file a claim. They can accept or reject the claim, but the most likely response is denial, which must always be accompanied by a valid reason.
From there, a lengthy process of negotiations and appeals occurs in which you try to prove your case and agree to the proposed terms. This is where the experience and expertise of our knowledgeable Miramar car accident lawyers are most useful.
Car accident lawyers use their negotiation skills and knowledge of insurance regulations and the law to get you the maximum settlement possible.
A partial fault is one of the main reasons why claims are rejected in Miramar and elsewhere in Broward County. Luckily, Florida follows comparative negligence rules, which means you’re eligible for a share of the compensation so long as your share of the fault doesn’t exceed 50%.
You can also contest other denials, such as the following:
- The accident was preventable
- You failed to report the accident or file the claim on time
- Your claim amount exceeds policy limits
- The driver who caused the accident was not insured
- There isn’t enough evidence or proof to support your claim
Insurance companies can also act in bad faith and deny a claim without giving any reason. Whatever the reason, the law provides a comprehensive appeals process. Your lawyer here at Gonzalez & Cartwright will review your claim and help you appeal or, if necessary, file a lawsuit and take it all the way to trial.
What to Do to Win a Car Accident Claim in Miramar and Throughout Florida?
Like all other personal injury cases, car accident cases require you to prove that the other party owed you a “duty of care,” they failed to deliver that duty of care, and that negligence caused your injury or loss.
In practical terms, that means you should collect and preserve evidence about the accident. Evidence collected at the scene is the most important, including video or photo evidence, witness statements, and the police report.
However, there are several other actions or omissions that could make or break your case. As experienced Miramar car accident lawyers, we recommend that you do the following:
- Get medical help as soon as possible. Don’t say that you’re fine physically or psychologically, as this can be used against you later
- When providing your statement or talking to insurance adjusters, you should only provide a minimum of factual information; don’t offer any opinions or speculations
- Keep a journal to document your journey, particularly your pain, difficulties, and suffering
- Ideally, let your lawyer handle all negotiations and communication with insurance adjusters
- Follow your doctor’s instructions faithfully
Insurance companies do everything they can to avoid paying a claim or to get away with lowball settlements. For example, they will try to downplay your injuries and suffering, which is why having lawyers experienced with car accident claims in Florida is so important.
How Our Miramar Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You With Your Claim in Broward County and The Surounding Areas
It is crucial to seek guidance from our Miramar car accident lawyers as early as possible during the claims process. Managing claims, appeals, and negotiations independently would be challenging, as insurance companies have well-equipped legal departments and extensive experience that could outweigh yours.
Having our experienced auto accident injury attorneys in Miramar, FL in your corner sends a clear message to the insurance adjusters that you mean business. We help to protect you against the cheap tricks and legal loopholes they use to avoid paying claims.
If necessary, we’ll help you sue the party responsible for your car accident so that you recover maximum compensation. Filing a lawsuit also helps you recover compensation for emotional suffering and trauma in addition to tangible (economic) losses.
Above all, our compassionate Miramar car accident lawyers do all the hard work for you so that you have time to recover and get back on your feet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Lawsuits in Miramar, FL
Yes, you must wait for the police and emergency services to respond to the scene, no matter how minor it seems. Fleeing an accident scene opens up grounds for a lawsuit if it turns out that the other driver suffered serious injury or property damage. You can also face criminal charges and steep fines.
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years. That means you can file a lawsuit against the person who caused your accident up to four years after the date of the accident. If you file a case after that window has passed, it’s highly likely that it will be thrown out.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, we do more than just fight for your legal rights after a car accident in Broward County. We handle every case personally and take time to get to know you so that we can give you the personal touch no other law firm can provide. Call us now for your free consultation, and let’s help you get the compensation you deserve.