Driving is an everyday task for many people in Riverview. Unfortunately, it is also incredibly dangerous. Driving requires a great deal of skill and attention, but many motorists often overlook the importance of driving with caution, and this puts everyone else on the road at risk.
If you have been in a crash caused by a reckless motorist, you have the right to file a lawsuit for compensation. Whether you were in a head-on collision on the highway or rear-ended at an intersection, you can benefit from speaking with one of our Riverview car accident lawyers. Our experienced injury attorneys can thoroughly investigate your claim and vigorously pursue compensation on your behalf.
How Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Affect Car Crash Claims?
The State of Florida requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance in order to drive an automobile. If you were injured in an accident, your PIP insurance covers certain expenses on a no-fault basis. This means you will receive compensation regardless of who is at fault. Compensation through your PIP insurance may include:
- Medical expenses
- Work loss
- Funeral expenses
- Survivors’ loss
- Essential services
Unfortunately, personal injury protection insurance rarely covers all your losses after an accident. By filing a lawsuit with a local attorney, you could recover the full amount of compensation you need after the vehicle collision.
How Does Negligence Work in Riverview?
In most car accident claims, the legal standard you must prove is based on negligence. Negligence occurs when the other party breaches the duty of reasonable care they owe you, causing an accident. You must also prove that the accident directly caused your injuries.
Proving negligence requires an investigation into the facts surrounding the accident. Our skilled attorneys in Riverview can help you analyze all evidence to determine how your car accident occurred and who was responsible.
What is Negligence Per Se, and When Does it Apply?
Negligence per se is a legal concept that helps establish fault when the defendant violated the law. For example, if a driver is speeding at the time of the accident, and their high speed played a role in the crash, they may be considered negligent per se.
While nearly any violation of the law may constitute negligence per se, traffic infractions and violations of Title XXIII of the Florida Statutes are the most common in car accident scenarios. Some common violations that may be used as evidence in a personal injury trial include:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Distracted driving
- Failure to signal
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to follow traffic signals
- Intoxicated driving
Our lawyers are familiar with vehicle collision cases and can help you obtain proof of the other party’s traffic violation to help strengthen your claim.
Steps to Take After a Motor Vehicle Collision
If you have been hurt in a vehicle collision caused by someone else, you should act fast to protect your health and legal rights.
The Importance of Immediate Medical Treatment
It is important that you seek medical treatment immediately after the accident, even if nothing seems wrong. Many medical conditions are not apparent right away and could cause severe issues if left untreated.
Waiting to get medical care may also negatively impact your personal injury claim. The other party may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the car crash if you are not proactive in seeking treatment.
Hiring a Lawyer for Your Case
The legal process is complex, so we do not recommend that you attempt to handle your case alone. To file a lawsuit, you must gather evidence, establish fault, and submit all critical legal documents, which can be difficult to manage while you are still healing from injuries. Therefore, you should speak with our qualified attorneys as soon as possible after an accident.
It is also important to note that the other party’s insurance company may contact you soon after the accident, urging you to settle your claim for much less than it is worth. It is imperative that you do not provide a statement to an insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance companies will often use tactics to obtain information that benefits them, not you. Attorney Mike Hancock has experience in insurance defense, so he can point out their tactics and help you get the most out of your case.
Pursue a Claim with a Riverview Car Accident Attorney
A severe injury can negatively impact many areas of your life. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an auto collision, call Hancock Injury Attorneys for a free consultation today. Our Riverview car accident lawyers can support you throughout your case.