Car Accident Lawyers
For a Minor Car Accident, Should a Car Accident Lawyer Be Hired?
When is a car accident worthy of legal help? This is a question typed into Google frequently, and it’s one that confuses many. Should you contact a car accident attorney for a minor fender-bender? Where is the line between insignificance and importance?
As Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers, we hate to see people not contacting legal help when they should. When medical bills arise and you’re forced to miss work, this is worthy of legal representation, and missing this pivotal step could prevent you from getting the compensation you need to survive.
Two Methods of Recovering Damage From a Car Accident
As a car accident victim, two paths are open to you when seeking compensation. Firstly, you could claim through PIP (personal injury protection). While there are benefits to this method, there are also limitations. Consequently, those with serious enough injuries are encouraged to file an insurance claim through the policy of the guilty party.
Do you qualify for the second option? It’s difficult to cover all types of injuries in this guide, so we advise everybody with injuries to consult with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer. These days, the very best legal professionals offer free case evaluations, so it’s easier than ever to get started. With a free consultation, you’ll meet with a car accident attorney, discuss the accident and your injuries, and decide the best route for your case.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for car accidents is four years. If you don’t claim within this time, you may lose the right to do so. We know that you probably have 17 different tabs open on your browser and aren’t sure whether or not to contact a personal injury lawyer. Ultimately, it’s better to speak with an attorney regardless of the outcome than not contact and miss out on potentially thousands in compensation.
No-Fault PIP Policy Claims
If your accident really was a minor one, you may be limited to claiming through your PIP policy. As mentioned earlier, this has problems. For example, in Florida, you’ll only ever receive a maximum of $10,000. Additionally, you cannot claim 100% of medical bills and lost income. With this in mind, it provides some financial relief but doesn’t cover all expenses resulting from a car accident.
When choosing this route, remember to keep all paperwork because you can claim for emergency care, medical appointments, medications, and even follow-up care.
Fault-Based Auto Insurance Claims
You might think that your accident was a minor one, but it may fall under the realms of a fault-based auto insurance claim. If PIP doesn’t cover your treatment, it might be that you can claim compensation through fault-based auto insurance proceedings. At this stage, you’ll need a trained and experienced car accident attorney to collect all the pertinent police reports, medical reports, and other documentation. Similarly, they will investigate the accident, speak with eyewitnesses, apportion liability, and file an official claim on your behalf.
Dealing with a Car Accident
After a road collision, the first step is always to contact emergency services. With medical care, you get the treatment you need while also starting a paper trail of your injuries. If possible, exchange details with the other driver, take photographs of the scene, and get contact details for any eyewitnesses. The more you do at the scene, the easier it becomes for a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to compile a case.
Now, you’re ready to speak with a car accident attorney. Even if you think your accident was minor, car accident lawyers will protect your legal rights and assist you in getting compensation.
