Car Accident Attorney in Gainesville

If you've been in a minor accident, meaning limited bodily harm, lawyering up may not be necessary, given that no-fault insurance law dictates that each party pays for their own medical expenses through PIP regardless of which party was at fault. However, there are valid reasons why legal representation may be necessary, as mentioned above. Here are a few:

A lawyer can ensure you get the max compensation for medical costs - If you have the minimum PIP insurance policy, 80% of your medical expenses and some of your lost wages should be covered up to the $10,000 limit of your policy. However, you only have 14 days to file a claim. If an injury is discovered later, you would need to file a lawsuit against the other driver, which requires that you meet an injury threshold. If you meet that threshold, we can help to ensure you get your medical bills paid by the other party. Because serious injuries can go undetected, we always encourage our clients to seek medical care right after a car accident, even if they don't feel like they need it.

A lawyer can protect your rights - If your medical costs exceed the $10,000 PIP coverage, you may have cause to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If a lawsuit is in order, it'll be guaranteed that the other party's insurance company will have their lawyers working to minimize your injuries and cast doubt concerning liability. Our car accident lawyers in Gainesville protect your interests by conducting an investigation, gathering evidence, and constructing a winning legal strategy.

Experience with insurance companies matters - Developing a good working relationship with the other party's insurance company makes sense. After all, they hold the purse strings. That being said, we're very knowledgeable about insurance companies' tactics and have methods of countering them to benefit your interests. We also have a well-known reputation among insurers for demanding fair payment to our clients and fighting until we get it, whether through negotiations or in front of a judge and jury.

Physical injuries can be overwhelming - When you're seriously injured, stress can make recovery take even longer. You should be able to focus on your health, not fighting for compensation. We can take control of all communications with other parties, make arrangements for a deferment of your medical bills, and ensure all filings and documentation are taken care of while you concentrate on yourself.

You may need help understanding the consequences of handling things on your own - People may have misgivings about letting a lawyer handle legal matters for them. Most often, it's the cost. However, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect payment for our services once we've resolved the case successfully. You don't owe anything upfront. In the majority of cases, having legal representation also makes a substantial difference in how much you get in compensation. An insurance adjuster isn't going to recommend you get a lawyer because they know we have the experience to recognize when they're lowballing a settlement offer and will fight for what's right.

Furthermore, taking a settlement that doesn't account for future expenses (like ongoing medical care or future lost wages) is a mistake many people make, yet don't realize how to calculate it. We make sure mistakes like this don't happen.

Should negotiations fail, it's crucial to have a lawyer represent you in court. We understand the deadlines, processes, and laws that will impact your ability to recover payment. While the system is open to individuals representing themselves, the courts have limited patience because of crushing caseloads.

Intersections are some of the most dangerous areas for drivers, accounting for one-quarter of traffic fatalities and roughly half of all injury accidents. While the mayor pledged to eliminate Gainesville traffic deaths by 2025, there is much to be done to attain this goal, with a lot of help needed through funding from Florida's Department of Transportation. Here are the most dangerous intersections in Gainesville, FL.   

• Northwest 34th Street and Northwest 39th Avenue
• West University Avenue and Northwest 22nd Street
• Southwest 20th Avenue and Southwest 62nd Boulevard
• SW 13th Street and Southwest Williston Road
• Southwest 16th Avenue and Southwest 13th Street
• Southwest 37th Boulevard and Southwest Archer Road

University and Waldo Road are also noted as some of the most dangerous in the Gainesville area, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists.

It's not just one factor that may lead to a car accident. Often it's a combination. At times, unforeseen circumstances like weather or faulty car components are to blame. Still, most accidents are caused by human error. Here are some of the top reasons for car accidents in Gainesville.

• Driving under the influence
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Tailgating
• Disobeying traffic signs and signals
• Improperly changing lanes
• Improperly loaded cargo
• Failure to maintain a safe vehicle
• Car defects
• Road hazards

Proving fault is critical to a car accident case in Florida, even though it's a no-fault state. When you're able to step outside of the no-fault system in the instance of serious injuries, fault still matters. Especially since comparative fault rules may be brought up. For example, if you had some responsibility for your accident, any compensation you would receive would be decreased by your degree of fault. That's why it's crucial to have a highly competent lawyer on your side. Here is the type of evidence we may use to prove fault:

• Injuries sustained in the accident
• Eyewitness testimony
• Photos and camera footage
• Weather
• Traffic conditions
• Vehicle damage
• Accident reconstruction
• Police reports

When you've determined you need a lawyer to help with your car accident claim, the next step is to find the right one. At this point, it's important to understand that not just any lawyer will do. You need one that specifically handles personal injury claims. Experience in other areas of law, like divorces, probate, or bankruptcies, is great. Still, it shows a lack of specialization, which is essential to be successful.

Morgan and Morgan Law Firm, in general, handle diverse legal issues. However, we employ lawyers that meet the highest professional standards for their area of the law. In this instance, it's personal injury law for a car accident. They have the insight and expertise to overcome any legal challenges they may encounter while handling your case, ensuring you get compensated.

Furthermore, our lawyers are veterans of the courtroom. You might be surprised to learn that many lawyers never see the inside of a courtroom. That will be a problem for you if a settlement offer isn't fair. If they're not ready to represent you in court, what's the alternative? You might get stuck with a settlement that doesn't come close to meeting your actual needs.

Additionally, you must be aware of law firms that are settlement mills. They take cases only to pressure clients into accepting less than what they deserve so they can clear their books and take the next client. While we handle a tremendous number of cases as one of the largest law firms in the country, we remember that every client is important and deserves to be treated with respect and integrity. We understand what is at stake for you and your family. Our ethics don't allow us to look at clients through the lens of profit. If that means we must fight a lengthy battle in court, that's what we do.   

When you're considering which law firm to work with, take a look at their track record. Morgan and Morgan have recovered more than $15 billion for our clients over the last 35 years. While we admit most cases don't make it all the way to trial, when they do, our clients get far more than what the insurance company wanted to settle for, and that's a fact. You can't help clients win billions by playing softball.  

Additionally, our success has allowed us to reinvest in the law firm to offer our clients the best services utilizing advanced technology. You'll have 24/7 access to the status of your claim and can expect prompt attention to any question you have. Furthermore, we arm our lawyers with the support staff and access to professional investigators, economists, and technical experts they need to deliver outstanding results.  

Suppose your PIP coverage isn't enough to cover your medical expenses. In that case, you can file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company. However, to recover compensation for pain and suffering, you need to meet an injury threshold outlined under Florida law which is a high bar. Your injuries would need to result in one or more of the following conditions:

• Significant loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

Pain and suffering are part of the untold story that car accident victims experience. While economic damages can be substantial, especially when there are severe injuries, additional financial compensation should be included to address physical and mental suffering. Still, pain and suffering are not compensable through PIP coverage. Pain and suffering damages are meant to compensate for the impact the accident has had on your life, such as:

Physical suffering - Wounds, broken bones, and other bodily trauma are painful to endure, and recovery may require extensive time. Meanwhile, you cannot do the things you need to live your life fully. Some injuries can leave you with chronic pain that lasts a lifetime.

Mental anguish - Victims of serious car accidents suffer a wide range of psychological effects like worrying about medical bills, dealing with a disability, depression, PTSD, and anger. Being faced with never-ending problems and undeserved challenges takes a toll on your psyche.

While it may seem impossible to put an accurate price tag on something as monumental as pain and suffering, it's one remedy the legal system gives you to make a negligent party accountable. We can ensure that every loss is factored into your claim fairly.

Following a serious car accident, you need the right support and guidance to make crucial decisions concerning your future. We tailor the management of your case to your specific needs and take the pressure of securing compensation off your shoulders. You shouldn't be left to guard against aggressive insurance adjusters and parties denying fault on your own. Time is of the essence. If you wait to pursue legal action, precious evidence could be lost, eyewitnesses can disappear, and at-fault parties can take steps to protect their assets. Our car accident lawyers in Gainesville are waiting to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.