Whether a careless driver rear-ended you on a side street, or a tired trucker lost control of his rig and hit you head on, you deserve to be compensated for your pain, injuries and losses. Do not hesitate to contact our Lakeland car accident lawyer if you were involved in a car accident.
Car accidents affect your life in many ways. They leave you with chronic pain, prevent you from going to work, diminish your quality of life and much more. Although no amount of money ever makes up for the pain and trauma you experience after an accident, the appropriate compensation helps you pay the associated expenses and begin moving on with your life.
Never Hesitate to Seek the Help You Deserve!
Accident victims are often hesitant to seek medical treatment for their injuries because they cannot afford the expense. Pursuant to Florida Statute 627.736, anyone injured in an automobile accident may qualify for up to $10,000 in coverage for medical expenses. This coverage, known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, also provides lost wage benefits, mileage reimbursement, prescription reimbursement and death benefits.
Unfortunately, many victims are unaware of this coverage. Consequently, they may never seek medical treatment for their injuries. At Rivas Law Group, we assist clients with their PIP claim. Lakeland personal injury and car accident attorney Tania Rivas always contacts her clients’ insurance companies directly and will personally assist clients with completing the necessary documentation.
Filing Claims for Personal Injury in Lakeland, Central and Southwest Florida
In Florida, the law also allows injured victims to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. Victims can recover for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. While a monetary recovery can never restore one’s health, it can ease the financial burdens of an accident.
At Rivas Law Group, Lakeland car accident lawyer Tania Rivas immediately begins working on the case to determine all potential coverage. Our team carefully monitors our client’s treatment and works diligently toward a fair settlement.
Frequently Asked Auto Accident Questions
We know that you may have many questions. These are a few of the most often asked questions. Don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you may have.
The Insurance Company Is Offering Me A Settlement. What Should I Do?
Victims of car accidents should be wary of insurance representatives who contact them with settlement offers shortly after an accident. No matter what promises are made, insurance companies are not your friend. They benefit financially by settling your claim early.
Insurance is a business, and like any business, the goal is to make a profit. For insurance companies, a key part of keeping profits up is making sure you pay as little as possible in claims. No matter how legitimate the claim, the insurance company’s goal is going to be to pay as little as possible — or nothing at all.
One tactic often used is to quickly offer a much smaller settlement amount. For an accident victim who has medical bills and missed time at work from an accident, getting a quick settlement may seem like a great idea. However, settling early could be to the claimant’s detriment.
It can take several months to identify permanent injuries and the future effect it will have on a person. An early settlement may fail to account for future medical procedures, such as surgery and rehabilitative therapy.
Learn more about accepting a settlement after a car accident in Lakeland, FL.
What are the Most Common Injuries from Car Accident Cases?
Some of the most common injuries in a Lakeland car accident include brain and head injuries, neck and back injuries, chest and abdominal injuries, bone fractures, and lacerations and contusions.
Learn more about the injuries from car accidents in Lakeland.
Who is Liable in a Florida Rental Car Accident?
In most ways, an accident involving a rental car is the same as any other Florida automobile accident. The first thing to do immediately after the accident is to check on the condition of everyone involved, including yourself. Contact 911 at once.
Rental car companies in Florida cannot be held liable for injuries caused by someone driving one of their rental vehicles due to the Gates Amendment. However, there are exceptions.
Learn more about this exceptions and other information about who is liable in a Florida Rental Car Accident. Our car accident lawyers can answer your Florida law questions.
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company After an Accident?
Our Lakeland car accident attorney tells a client who has been injured in a car accident not to sign any agreements or give a recorded statement to the defendants’ insurance company in their car accident claim.
No matter what an insurance adjuster may tell you, there’s no law in Florida requiring you to give a statement to insurance companies after an accident. In fact, there are many good reasons not to.
Learn About the Reasons Why You Should Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company After an Accident in Florida.
The Dos and Don’ts for Lakeland Auto Accident Victims
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, here are some helpful DOs and DON’Ts
- DO keep clear records of the incident, including the names and contact information of eyewitnesses
- DO take photographs of the vehicles, the scene of the accident, and any visible physical injuries (cuts, bruises, etc.)
- DO NOT give a recorded statement to any insurance company until you have sought legal advice from a qualified Lakeland personal injury lawyer
- DO seek immediate medical care for your injuries
- DO consult with a Lakeland auto accident attorney right away
About Florida Car Accident Law from a Lakeland Car Accident Lawyer
Before you collect any compensation related to your accident, liability for the collision must be established. When determining liability for auto accidents, the state of Florida applies a law known as comparative fault or comparative negligence.
This means that the court determines liability based on the percentage or proportion of “fault” assigned to each party involved in the accident. The system determines comparative fault in mediation or during a trial. Since this determination directly affects the amount of compensation you recover for your accident, you should strongly consider retaining a qualified attorney to protect your rights and to advise you.
Once the system establishes comparative fault, you negotiate a settlement outside of court or go to trial. If your fault is determined to be more than 50%, then you will be unable to recover damages.
We Will Fight for the Compensation You Deserve After a Lakeland Auto Accident
Here at Rivas Law Group, we understand all of the laws pertaining to car accidents in Lakeland, Florida. Regardless of the severity of your accident or the nature of your expenses, we aggressively but thoughtfully pursue the compensation our clients deserve. We fight to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Damage to your vehicle
- Lost wages
- Rental car fees
- Towing fees
- Damage to personal property
- Pain and suffering
If you have been involved in a car accident, you need to act swiftly to preserve evidence or engage in urgent legal or forensic work to maximize and protect your claim. Please contact our Lakeland Car Accident Lawyer, Tania Rivas, today at (863) 213-1457 for a free consultation.
