Have you ever been in an accident while driving in Florida? There are many things to love about the Sunshine State, but the number of accidents that take place there each year is not one of them. Florida. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of a staggering 341,399 car accidents in Florida in 2020 alone.
If you ever experience a car accident in Florida, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure that you have a fair chance of getting a positive outcome from the traumatic event. Auto accidents can be a stressful affair, both emotionally and financially. Besides dealing with the cost of high medical bills and property damage, you might also need to face the loss of income due to being unable to return to work. Dealing with your insurance company can also be stressful when seeking compensation.
Taking the right steps to ensure a better outcome for your case includes getting yourself thoroughly checked and seeking medical care, filing a report with the police, contacting your insurance company, and most importantly, enlisting the help of experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyers to represent you in your car accident case.
The aftermath of a car crash can become overwhelming, and dealing with everything while recovering from your injuries might be too much for you to handle alone. Getting help from legal experts specializing in cases like yours can make a world of difference for the entire outcome of the case.
Is It Necessary to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
There is no legal obligation for car accident victims in the Sunshine State to hire attorneys to represent them. However, choosing to enlist the help of an experienced attorney has its benefits. Hiring someone specializing in cases like yours can give you a better chance to protect your legal rights and recover fair compensation for all the damages you incurred in an accident.
Today’s post will help you understand why it pays to hire an experienced lawyer for your car accident case so you can make a more well-informed decision on whether to work with West Palm Beach car accident lawyers.
What Type of Cases do Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys Handle?
The biggest advantage of working with experienced car accident attorneys is the sheer diversity of the type of cases they must have handled in the course of their careers. Experienced lawyers can represent victims in car accident claims that involve:
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- T-bone accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Drunk driving
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Accidents involving ridesharing service providers
- Self-driving auto accidents
- Rear-end and head-on collisions
What Exactly Makes an Attorney Experienced in Auto Accident Cases?
You will likely never come across an attorney who claims to be inexperienced when searching for attorneys to represent you in your case. However, not every lawyer in the Sunshine State could be considered experienced — at least not in the context relevant to your case.
A lawyer with a long and stellar track record will never hesitate to back their claim of being experienced by providing you their case results, how many years they have been practicing, and their trial history. Car accident cases, especially the complex ones, can get quite overwhelming. You need to know whether the attorney you are working with is equipped to deal with and overcome the obstacles in your case.
Understanding the Importance of Working With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
The level of experience your attorney has can make or break your chances of getting a positive outcome in your car accident case. Enlisting the services of an attorney skilled, adept, and experienced in dealing with cases like yours can maximize your chances of adequately protecting your rights and securing a settlement that fairly reflects your claim. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that should highlight the importance of working with experienced car accident attorneys.
They are Well-Versed in Florida’s Car Accident Laws
Lawyers who have been dealing with auto accident cases for a long time will rarely need to refer to documents to refresh their memories about specific laws applicable to your auto accident claim. Experienced lawyers know the ins and outs of Florida’s injury laws like the back of their hands and can begin building your case at a faster pace than an inexperienced lawyer. It also means that experienced attorneys are better equipped to increase your chances of getting your full and rightful compensation for the losses you have suffered.
You get a Better Estimation for Your Auto Accident Claim
Experienced car accident attorneys in West Palm Beach have seen so many cases that they know how to determine the value of accident claims with far greater accuracy than their inexperienced colleagues. They can give you a fair estimate of the compensation you should seek to file a claim for after investigating the details of your case. A truly experienced and trustworthy lawyer will also give you a fair assessment of your chances of succeeding with your car accident claim.
They Know How to Handle Insurance Company Negotiations
Insurance adjusters are master negotiators who can try all kinds of tricks to devalue or outright deny the claims. These insurance company representatives are adept at feigning sincerity with you to get you to slip up and say things that they can use to minimize your settlement or find grounds to deny your claim. Dealing with insurance adjusters without legal help can result in you being forced to accept a lowball settlement.
Experienced attorneys know Florida’s personal injury law, and they are well aware of the tactics insurance adjusters use. Enlisting the help of one gives you an expert negotiator in your corner who can see through the tricks insurance adjusters can use to ensure that your carrier does not lowball you into accepting an offer lower than what you should get.
An added benefit of getting their help is that you can focus on your recovery while enjoying the peace of mind that your negotiations with insurance adjusters are in good hands.
They can Help You Prove Fault
Car accident cases can get quite complicated, and proving the other motorist’s liability in causing the crash can be difficult without the right help. Experienced lawyers know exactly the kind of evidence necessary to make a strong claim and prove the other driver’s liability. They know how to obtain the relevant proof to back your claim and increase your chances of getting a more favorable settlement.
Collecting Evidence Becomes Easier for You
The responsibility to collect evidence to prove your claim falls on you and your lawyer. Your chances of winning the case depend largely on your ability to prove it, and that is where experienced attorneys can come in to help.
You might be able to start gathering some of the evidence yourself, but certain pieces of evidence like police reports, CCTV footage, and other relevant documents might be difficult to obtain. Experienced attorneys know how to gather the evidence you need, taking the pressure to handle that off of you.
You Can Count on Them to Negotiate a Better Offer
Most auto accident cases in Florida are settled without ever going to court. A car accident attorney adept at dealing with such cases can help you better understand the legal avenues available to you so you can become financially whole again. Depending on the specifics of your case, you might be rewarded a settlement by your own insurance company or by the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.
Experienced attorneys can guide you through the negotiation process, regardless of who will be liable to settle your claim. They can help you negotiate better offers and determine whether the proposed offers by the other party reflect fairly on your claim.
They Have Your Back if Your Case Goes to Court
While most auto accident cases are settled out of court, there is always a chance that your case might need to be fought in the courtroom. Even the most experienced lawyers prefer settling things without unnecessary litigation. However, they will not hesitate to have your back if you have to take matters to court.
Consider Contacting Attorneys Experienced in Car Accident Cases
Auto accidents in Florida can leave you dealing with a lot of stress. The trauma of the physical injuries alone is bad enough. You might also have to deal with recovering from the injuries, lost wages due to being unable to return to work, and dealing with the expenses to repair damaged property. Florida’s laws protect car accident victims’ rights and offer them legal avenues to become financially whole again. Unfortunately, navigating the complex laws without adequate legal representation can put you at risk of receiving low or unfair compensation.
Hiring the right legal representation can make a massive difference in the outcome of your auto accident case. If you are looking for experienced attorneys to help you in your case, consider contacting a West Palm Beach car accident lawyers who have an excellent track record of dealing with such cases and can increase your chances of getting a positive outcome for your car accident case.
