When it comes to injury claims from car accidents in Florida, there are a lot of important factors to consider. If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, it is essential to understand how Florida’s auto accident injury compensation laws work.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you should talk with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call 866-730-3508 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm.
How does Florida law define serious injury?
In Florida, a serious injury is defined as an injury that causes permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, or death. Serious injury can also include significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function. Additionally, it can include significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement. Serious injury can also include a medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature that prevents the victim from performing daily activities. If you’ve suffered a serious injury in a car accident, it is highly recommended that you consult with a personal injury attorney to discuss the legal options for your car accident injury claims.
Types of Injury Claims from Car Accidents
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that regardless of who may have caused the car accident, your insurance company will pay for your injuries and lost income up to your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage (minimum $10,000). Florida law allows auto accident victims to file personal injury lawsuits against the person who caused the accident if your damages exceed their PIP coverage. That is why it is so important to contact a Personal Injury Attorney quickly after an accident to ensure you are justly and fairly compensated.
Compensatory Damages are designed to recover losses that the victim incurred for injury claims such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. In some cases, when there is gross negligence on the part of the defendant, Punitive Damages may be awarded. This type of award is designed to punish the defendant and act as a deterrent. Your personal injury lawyer can assess the details of your accident, including any potential negligent behavior by the other driver or any defective vehicle parts that contributed to the accident.
It is important to consult a personal injury attorney to determine the full extent of the damages you may be able to recover for your personal injury claim. Insurance companies are usually eager to have you settle quickly before any assessments are made of potential long-term expenses incurred because of the accident. Your personal injury attorney will act as an aggressive advocate when negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf.
It is important to remember that there is a statute of limitations on injury claims. In Florida, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury claims. Insurance companies will have legal representation protecting their interests almost immediately after the accident. Therefore, it is recommended that victims should have an experienced Personal Injury Attorney looking out for their interests as well.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, talk to an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Call 866-730-3508 for a free consultation. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida.
