A routine ride to work or a weekend trip to a Gator's game can quickly become tragic on our busy Florida roads and highways. From fender benders to more severe accidents, injuries from car crashes are unfortunately all too common. Coping with medical treatment, injury recovery, and insurance companies can add stress to your already stressful life. You deserve compensation for your damages, but how is this best accomplished?
In this article, you'll learn the tricks and tips for winning a Florida car accident settlement. In addition to these tips, the attorneys in Gainesville at Meldon Law Firm may be able to help. You'll want a savvy lawyer on your side to help you receive the maximum compensation.
What Needs To Be Proven to Pursue a Florida Car Accident Case?
Florida is one of the many no-fault states for car accidents. This means that you collect from your own insurance company for minor car crashes. However, for more severe car wrecks that cause major bodily harm or long-term disabilities, you can pursue the at-fault driver. However, to be able to do so, you'll need to prove a few things. First, you need to prove that the other driver was negligent and the cause of the crash. Secondly, you'll have to prove that you received severe bodily harm as a result of the accident.
To prove negligence, here are some of the most common forms of evidence:
- Police accident reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Surveillance footage of the accident, if available
- Eyewitness testimony
Next, to prove bodily injury, the following can be used as proof:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Emergency room intake and discharge documents
- X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI images
Tips for Winning a Florida Car Accident Settlement
The strength of your case and the amount of your settlement will have much to do with how you handle your case. Regardless of how obvious the fault of the accident was, you still have the burden of proving it. Strong evidence and a savvy lawyer are part of receiving maximum compensation for your damages. Here's a look at 5 tips for being offered the best settlement.
Hire a Lawyer
Your best bet for winning a car accident claim is to work with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney. Whether your case is a slam dunk or a Hail Mary, you'll get the best possible result by working with a lawyer who's handled hundreds of similar cases. Filing a car accident claim without professional legal guidance is never advisable. A personal injury attorney can efficiently handle many of the necessary steps while you work on recovering from your injuries.
Gather Evidence
Contrary to popular opinion, gathering all of the necessary evidence to prove both liability and proof of your injuries isn't a simple process. You need to obtain accident reports, medical records, and everything related to your accident and injuries. Collecting evidence can be a time-consuming task, a task made much easier when you have a legal team representing you. The stronger your evidence, the higher the likelihood of a larger settlement.
Stay Off Your Socials
Despite thinking that your social media accounts are only for followers and friends, the defendant's legal team can scour yours and use what they find against you. For this very reason, it's a good idea to refrain from posting about your accident, lawsuit status, and just about everything else. If you're claiming severe pain and injuries yet posting photos of your happy, everyday life, it doesn't paint the picture you want.
Avoid Insurance Companies Tricks
You should never give any type of statement, especially a recorded statement, to the defendant's legal team or insurance company representatives. It's the defendant's team's job to limit liability, and they'll use any tactic to get you to say something contradictory to your claim. If contacted, immediately refer them to your attorney.
Continue with Your Medical Treatment
The biggest mistake you can make is to stop or delay your medical treatment. Skipping or postponing doctor's visits or physical therapy sessions can look as if you're injuries aren't as severe as you claim them to be. Gaps in treatment will hurt your case, so it's incredibly important to follow through with your doctor's orders.
Winning Tips To Win Your Florida Car Accident Case: Final Words
You can still file a car accident claim despite Florida’s no-fault law. You'll need to prove that the other driver's negligence caused the crash that resulted in your severe injuries. Under the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney, you'll have the best chance of getting a favorable pretrial settlement.
To help the odds, you must gather the best evidentiary documents, stay off your socials, continue your medical treatment, and do not discuss your case with anyone except your legal team.
