When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Myers

Both criminal and civil cases have statutes of limitation to ensure that legal disputes are resolved in a timely manner. In Florida, the statute of limitations to bring a car crash injury lawsuit against the at-fault party is two years from the date of the crash. The same limitation applies if you wish to file a lawsuit for damage or a total loss of your vehicle. 

If someone dies as a result of an accident, you have just two years from the date of your loved one's death. If either deadline has passed, there is virtually no legal option to gain compensation for your losses.

When you're able to prove the other driver was totally at fault for the car accident, it's probable that the at-fault driver will have to pay medical costs and other expenses you've incurred from the accident. However, perhaps you had some fault in the accident. In that case, the jury will be asked to apply the "pure comparative fault" rule that Florida follows. The pure comparative fault rule will require the jury to look at the evidence and assign a percentage of fault to both parties, and you'll be compensated accordingly. Here's an example of how that would work.

Suppose the jury looks at all the damages and decides the claim should be worth $200,000, but based on the evidence, they assign 30% of the blame on you. It may be that you were going a little over the speed limit or a turn signal bulb was out. In that case, your award would be $200,000 - 30% = $140,000 under the comparative fault rule. On the other side of the coin, if you were found to be 80% at fault, you would be entitled to 20% of the damages, but the other driver could be eligible to sue you for the other 80%. 

After calling the police and getting medical care, the first thing you should do after a car accident in Florida is to contact your insurance company to give them a full account of what happened. However, if the other party's insurance company wants to talk to you, it may be time to consult an attorney. That's because insurance companies can use the most innocent of statements to deny future claims you may make. 

A personal injury lawyer can protect you from many common pitfalls when it comes to insurance negotiations. While there are no laws that dictate the need for an attorney after a car accident in Florida, the legal counsel they offer can go a long way towards getting you the compensation you need. Suppose your injuries have made it so that you're unable to work, or your injuries require expensive long-term rehabilitation. In that case, you may need to file a lawsuit against the other party to recover damages that will help you pay your bills and get quality medical treatment. 

Unfortunately, it's a fact of life that insurance companies routinely minimize and deny legitimate claims. That's because they are a business. While the insurance adjuster may sound sympathetic, at the end of the day, the company's bottom line is what they are protecting, not your well-being.

The problem with negotiating on your own is that insurance companies love it. That's because they know the average person won't understand they need to factor in future medical costs. Plus, they know you're also at a vulnerable stage, where medical bills are piling up, and income isn't coming in. They use the scariest time of your life to offer token settlements to get you off their books. Another issue a regular person may not understand is that when you accept that token settlement, that is it. You literally have to sign away your right to pursue future compensation to get any money regardless of how severely you were injured.

While Fort Myers drivers are considered to be better than many in the U.S., the fact that you've been injured by one shows that Fort Myers drivers still follow a national pattern. Here are the most common causes of car accidents:

Distracted driving- Without a doubt, distracted driving causes a notable amount of car accidents every year. Distracted driving can be anything from picking through a bag of french fries to responding to a text while behind the wheel. The main goal of any driver should be to get to their destination safely; however, with the temptation of today's technology, many drivers are being just plain stupid and cause other people harm.

Speeding- We all have places to go and people to see. Still, some drivers feel overconfident in their ability to avoid collisions even if they're going significantly over the speed limit. However, your ability to react to dangers ahead is dramatically reduced when you're speeding. There are reasons for speed limits; it is the maximum speed at which you should be able to navigate road conditions and other traffic safely.

Drunk driving- Driving while under the influence is illegal in all states, yet people keep doing it somehow. Likely because alcohol impairs your ability to think and reason normally. It's extremely dangerous to drink and drive because in addition to cognitive decline, your ability to control your body and, thus, control a vehicle is significantly diminished.

Reckless driving- Tailgating, cutting other drivers off, and weaving in and out of traffic is all considered reckless driving. When encountering a reckless driver, the best thing you can do is carefully and slowly remove yourself from their perimeter. 

Inclement weather- Florida is renowned for its fantastic weather. Still, the summers can bring daily thunderstorms, which can cause hazardous road conditions. Wet roads become slick and can cause even the best drivers to lose control of their vehicles if they don't slow down and pay attention.

Running red lights and stop signs- We're probably all guilty of gunning it on a yellow light to make it through an intersection, but at what risk? Saving a few minutes is never worth a car accident. Likewise, blowing through a stop sign because you think you can see all four ways has caused countless accidents because a driver missed a motorcyclist, pedestrian, or bicyclist. 

Most people never think about what to look for in an attorney until they need one. When that time comes, they're likely experiencing an already very stressful situation, and the added pressure of figuring out the best time to hire an attorney can be overwhelming. Here are our recommendations on what to look for in a car accident lawyer:

Area of expertise- Finding the right lawyer is critical to receive the maximum amount of compensation. Your lawyer should have extensive experience in car accident cases. Not only that, but they need to have intricate knowledge of laws that govern Florida insurance policies. Our experienced car accident attorneys have a solid reputation in the Fort Myers area, which can impact the success of your lawsuit. 

Billing policy- Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis which means you don't pay unless we win your case. We do this because we understand you have enough stress right now without the added pressure of coming up with lawyer's fees. This type of billing arrangement also ensures your lawyer will do everything possible to win your case and get you the highest settlement.

Trial experience- Frequently, car accident cases are settled out of court without the need for a trial. However, should negotiations fall apart, you need to work with a lawyer that is prepared to represent you in a courtroom. Many car accident lawyers will shy away from a trial and perhaps even settle for less than your claim is worth to avoid a trial. That's not how we do things at Morgan & Morgan. Our lawyers approach every case as if it will end up at trial, and we're not afraid to take on the biggest insurance companies. 

When you're ready to hire a Fort Myers car accident lawyer, Morgan & Morgan Law Firm employs some of the best and brightest. We're also one of the largest law firms in the U.S., with the resources and staff to make your case a successful one. We're ready to fight for your rights and win you the compensation you need to get on with your life. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We'll be happy to review your case and answer any of your questions.