Puerto Rico Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are a common occurrence in Puerto Rico. While many crashes are little more than fender benders, some accidents can change victims’ lives forever. Severely injured or permanently disabled individuals face high medical costs and expenses, in many cases, for the rest of their lives. However, if you experienced a significant injury or lost a loved one in a car crash, you could be entitled to compensation.

Morgan & Morgan can stand by your side and fight for the compensation you need to pay your bills and rebuild your life after a crash. We want you to have the best shot at receiving the maximum potential settlement. Our Puerto Rico car accident lawyers are ready to assess your crash, identify your legal options, and move forward with a claim on your behalf. Contact us now to find out whether you have a case.

Common Reasons for Crashes in Puerto Rico

According to the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission, an average of 200,000 traffic crashes occur annually despite only around 3 million registered drivers in Puerto Rico. Some of the most common reasons for car accidents on the island include:

Driving Under the Influence

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), driving while impaired is the leading cause of crashes in Puerto Rico. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol reduces the ability of a driver to operate a vehicle safely and can cause tragic accidents.

Speeding

Speeding can be a common issue in Puerto Rico. Driving too fast can cause severe accidents as drivers have less time to react in unforeseen situations. Moreover, the impact of a collision at high speed can be catastrophic, potentially causing more significant injuries and fatalities.

Distracted Driving

While there is a hand-held phone and texting-while-driving ban in Puerto Rico, distracted driving accidents can still be common. Drivers can be distracted due to various behaviors, such as eating in the car, interacting with passengers, or adjusting the stereo. A driver without their full attention on the road is more likely to cause an accident.

Road Defects

Numerous roads in Puerto Rico have fallen into disrepair, particularly after Hurricane Maria severely damaged road surfaces. Inadequate funding is still hampering road reconstruction efforts. Moreover, roads in the island’s mountainous interior are often blocked with debris and landslides.

Large potholes and cracks are relatively common in Puerto Rico, and road markings are missing in many areas. The general disrepair and lack of maintenance of some of the road networks in Puerto Rico contribute to car accidents.

Do You Have a Car Accident Claim in Puerto Rico?

You could be entitled to compensation if someone else is responsible for your car crash in Puerto Rico, whether an individual, a business, or a government entity. Puerto Rico is a no-fault state, meaning you would generally file a claim with your car insurer, no matter who caused the crash.

However, coverage may be insufficient, especially if you suffered severe or life-changing injuries. In this case, you could qualify for an insurance claim against the responsible driver’s insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

As we have seen, accidents in Puerto Rico often occur due to the negligence of other drivers. When another is responsible, whether due to driving fatigued, drunk, or speeding, you could have legal recourse and seek damages with a personal injury claim. Likewise, if a poorly maintained road caused your accident, you could file a lawsuit against the responsible local government entity. In rarer cases, victims injured due to a vehicle defect, such as faulty brakes or steering, could hold a car manufacturer accountable for their losses.  

If you believe you have a car accident case, our Puerto Rico car accident lawyers could help you get justice and compensation. We can assess your claim, walk you through your options, and move forward with a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.

Puerto Rico Accident Victims Can Receive Compensation

You could be entitled to a comprehensive settlement if you suffered severe or disabling injuries. Your compensation could include:  

Healthcare Expenses

Medical bills after a car crash in Puerto Rico can quickly become unmanageable and cause financial hardship for crash victims and families. Severely injured individuals or those with disabilities may require lifelong care. However, if someone else is responsible for your injuries, you could be entitled to all medical costs, including but not limited to:

• Prescription and out-of-pocket medications
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Medical devices such as crutches, neck collars, or wheelchair
• Specialist appointments
• Physical therapy
• A home health aide

Loss of Wages

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could be absent from work for weeks, months, or even longer. In a car accident claim, you could qualify for lost income and future lost income.

Non-Economic Damages

If you have steep medical costs and significant injuries, you could be entitled to non-economic damages, including the following:  

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Disability

Since every car accident claim is unique, you could recover other or additional damages to the ones listed above.

How a Puerto Rico Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Hiring a seasoned car accident lawyer can be critical, especially if a lot of money is at stake and you have high medical bills. Working with an attorney ensures that you can concentrate fully on your recovery while your attorney will handle your legal claim, fighting hard for the compensation you deserve. A Morgan & Morgan car accident lawyer can:

Determine Your Legal Rights and Options

Knowing your legal rights can be critical for receiving what you deserve when another causes your car crash in Puerto Rico. We can assess your accident with the help of professional crash investigators, determine who is at fault, and help you navigate the legal progress from start to finish.

Build Your Case Against the Responsible Party

Whether a local government authority’s negligence or another driver’s recklessness caused your collision, we can get to the bottom of it. Our dedicated car accident lawyers can gather the evidence required to prove liability, build a comprehensive case, and seek damages from the liable party.  

Calculate Your Damages and Future Expected Costs

Knowing the total worth of your car accident claim is vital for recovery. If you do not know the value of your claim, you could agree to a lowball settlement offer and leave money on the table. We know that you need a fair settlement to get your life back on track, and we can comprehensively calculate your expenses and future expected losses. Morgan & Morgan never settles for less, and neither should you.

Negotiate a Fair Settlement

A skilled car accident attorney can help you get the settlement you deserve. Negotiating with the insurer on your own can be a mistake, as insurance companies often try to reduce or deny your valid claim. Moreover, you might not recognize when an insurer makes a lowball settlement offer and sign an agreement by mistake. An attorney can level the playing field, handle all communication with an insurance company, and protect your legal rights.

Fight for Your Rights at Trial

Occasionally, an insurance company drags its heels, refusing car accident victims an adequate settlement. When this happens, our experienced trial attorneys will fight vigorously for what you deserve at trial. Our track record speaks for itself: we recovered more than $20 billion in damages for the injured in the last three decades. We could help you, too, receive the settlement you deserve when you get hurt in Puerto Rico.

What Can I Do to Assist My Car Accident Lawyer?

Whether you are working with a car accident attorney or handling your claim alone, there are several steps you can take that could significantly benefit your case and recovery, such as:

• Collecting evidence of your damages, such as receipt and statements
• Following your doctor’s treatment plan and attending all medical appointments
• Refraining from talking to others about your injuries, the accident, or your legal claim
• Avoiding posting any accident details on social media
• Letting your attorney handle all communication with the insurance company
• Dealing with any requests from your attorney in a prompt manner

When Will I Receive Money for My Medical Bills After a Crash in Puerto Rico?

Many clients come to us worrying about how to pay their mounting medical bills after a severe crash. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix, even if another driver is responsible for your accident in Puerto Rico. Receiving a settlement check could be months away. In the meantime, you will be responsible for any medical bills that exceed your car insurance coverage.

Depending on your circumstances, you could take care of your medical expenses in the following ways:

• Your private health insurance
• Medicare or Medicaid
• Asking medical providers to defer payments

It is important to note that if your private health insurer or Medicare/Medicaid pay for your healthcare costs, you will have to reimburse them when your settlement check arrives. Our Puerto Rico car accident lawyers can help with this process and ensure you are not paying more than you have to.

Should I Get a Car Accident Attorney in Puerto Rico?

You could probably handle your insurance claim alone if you were involved in a minor crash without injuries. However, a lawyer may be crucial for getting adequate compensation if you suffer significant injuries. Other circumstances that benefit from legal representation include:

• Your medical expenses and other damages are astronomically high
• You are partially responsible for the accident
• A loved one died in the crash

A lawyer could handle your case from start to finish and ensure that the insurer treats you fairly. Moreover, if you cannot recover an adequate settlement, your attorney can fight the insurance company at trial.

Which Are the Most Common Accident Injuries in Puerto Rico? 

Even a minor crash could cause injuries such as concussion and whiplash. However, a significant accident could leave a victim permanently impaired. Examples of common car accident injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Facial injuries
• Arm and wrist injuries
• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Burns
• Internal bleeding
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car crash, hiring an experienced and determined car accident lawyer can give you the best chance of recovering the settlement you need.

How Much Does a Puerto Rico Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Many car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning clients do not pay out-of-pocket attorney’s fees and only pay if they win the case. The attorney then typically receives a percentage of the recovered damages. However, clients could be on the hook for out-of-pocket legal expenses such as court filing costs, expert witness fees, and others.  

Morgan & Morgan never charges clients anything upfront to handle their lawsuits. You have no financial risk and only pay when we win your case and you recover compensation.

What Is the Time Limit for a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Puerto Rico?

If you or a loved one is harmed in a car accident in Puerto Rico, you must act quickly as you generally only have one year to file a legal claim for compensation. The time starts ticking on the day of your accident or injury. Missing the deadline could prevent you forever from pursuing compensation.

Our Puerto Rico Car Accident Lawyers Want You to Win

Morgan & Morgan is here for you if you are looking for justice and compensation. You do not have to struggle with a car accident claim on your own. Our Puerto Rico car accident lawyers can work tirelessly on your behalf and pursue the compensation you need to put an accident behind you. Contact us today to discover your next best steps in a free, no-obligation consultation.