Car Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL

There is a lot that goes on in the days after a car accident in West Palm Beach and in the midst of all the chaos, the injured party has to make difficult decisions that will impact their financial, mental and physical well-being. 

The response to your car accident and what you do after the crash can make a significant impact on your future. Car accident victims in West Palm Beach would typically just share their insurance information and go about their day.

If you believe that the accident was caused as a result of another party’s negligence, you are entitled to file a car accident personal injury claim. 

Paying medical bills, and handling insurance companies while recovering can take a toll on one’s health. A car accident attorney in West Palm Beach, FL can alleviate a lot of that burden by taking care of the legal and insurance process for the injured party.

Call Jacobson Injury Firm today and let Adam work the case and you work on getting better. 

What to Do Right After a Car Accident?

The first few minutes after a car accident are more important than people realise. In this instant you either take the blame, even if it is not yours, or you make a decision that will cause more issues down the road.

In this case, your words, actions, and what you don’t document may determine the outcome of your claim. The right steps vary based on which side of the car accident you were on. Talking with a West Palm Beach car accident attorney after that can also help you to understand if those early decisions could impact your claim.

If You Got Hit in a Car Accident

Your first priority is your health. Even if you feel fine, call 911. Adrenaline can numb the pain, and injuries such as whiplash, disc issues, and concussions may not manifest for days.

An immediate check out establishes a medical record that directly relates your injuries to the crash. One of the first things an insurance adjuster will look for is a gap in that record.

Document Everything

Record all of this before anything moves. Take pictures of both cars, the road, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.

Obtain the other driver’s name, license number, insurance information and plate number. If witnesses were present, obtain contact information immediately. They are more difficult to find later.

Don’t Talk to the Other Party’s Insurance Company

Insurers might seek proof that alters the blame to the at-fault driver. You may receive a call from their adjuster soon after and they will sound helpful.

The adjuster represents the insurance company’s interests, not yours. The other driver’s insurance company will not normally require you to give a recorded statement before you speak with an attorney, and what you say may be used later in the evaluation of your claim.

Notify your own insurance company and give them the correct details of the accident. A car accident attorney in West Palm Beach can speak to the insurance company for you if you don’t know what to say when an adjuster asks you questions.

If You Hit Someone in a Car Accident in West Palm Beach

In this moment, panic may set in and your impulse may be to get out of the situation. Leaving can have far more serious legal implications. Stay at the scene and see if anyone needs immediate help and call 911 if someone does. 

Do not move anyone from the scene of the accident if they express neck or back pain. Doing so would put their lives in immediate danger. When the police arrive, they will document the scene and prepare a crash report. Ask them for a copy. 

Exchange Names and Driver’s License Information

Provide the other party with your name, driver’s license number, insurance information, and license plate number.

Be polite and helpful, but don’t assume responsibility or make assumptions about facts you don’t know. The fault for a collision is based on the evidence and the law.

Call Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company and report the basic facts of the crash truthfully. Covering up information or lying about what occurred can cause coverage issues down the road when you need it the most.

Legal Requirements for a Car Accident Claim in West Palm Beach, Florida

Knowing the insurance and negligence laws in Florida can help clarify what occurs after the initial accident report. A West Palm Beach car accident attorney can identify how these requirements apply to the specific situation of an accident.

PIP Coverage and Florida’s No Fault System

Personal Injury Protection coverage is required in Florida, and it pays up to $10,000 in benefits, subject to statutory requirements. When an injury exceeds Florida’s serious injury threshold, an injured person can seek some damages outside of the no-fault system.

Two-Year Statute of Limitations

Florida generally gives an injured person two years to file a negligence lawsuit arising from a car accident. This period was previously four years for many negligence actions but was reduced in 2023. Waiting too long can also make evidence more difficult to preserve even before the legal deadline expires.

The 50 Percent Comparative Fault Bar

Florida follows modified comparative negligence under Florida Statute § 768.81. An injured person can have compensation reduced by their percentage of fault and may generally recover nothing when found more than 50 percent responsible.

When an insurance company tries to blame the injured party for some or all of the accident, a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach can examine the evidence.

West Palm Beach Car Accident FAQs

What is my car accident claim in West Palm Beach worth?

The amount of the settlement is not fixed. The value of a case is based on injuries, medical costs, lost wages, insurance coverage, fault, and the long-term effects of the accident.

What If the Other Driver Had No Insurance?

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may provide another source of compensation. A car accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL can review the available policies and determine whether that coverage applies.

Do I have to go to court after a car accident in West Palm Beach?

The majority of car accident cases settle and do not go to trial. But, when the insurance company challenges liability or denies reasonable compensation, litigation may be required.

Call Jacobson Injury Firm

If you were injured due to another driver’s lack of reasonable care, Jacobson Injury Firm can examine the situation and tell you what your legal options are. The firm provides complimentary consultations and works on a contingency fee basis for car accident cases, which means that there are no legal fees if no compensation is recovered.

Call Jacobson Injury Firm to get a straight answer about your case and talk to Adam about what you can do next.