When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident in Florida

The best time to get an attorney after a car accident in Florida is as soon as possible. Although you aren’t legally obligated to get an attorney if you’re seeking compensation, having a qualified lawyer on your side can vastly improve your chances of building a strong and convincing case for damages.

Imagine this: it’s the morning after the accident, and you wake up to 4 missed calls: one from your insurance company, one from the other party’s insurance company, one from the hospital where you visited after the crash, and one from the police station. It’s a Tuesday, and you still need to contact your work to let them know that you don’t have a car to come in. The stress and confusion that comes after an accident can be enormous.

A Florida car accident attorney can help you navigate through the aftermath of the collision, dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf as your representative and making sure the full value of your claim is recognized. We know when insurers are hoping to get you to bite at a lowball initial settlement offer, and we will give you all the information you need to make decisions that truly reflect your own best interests.

You don’t have to do this on your own. Get help. Call Kogan & DiSalvo for a free consultation today.

What Can an Attorney Help Me With?

A Florida car accident lawyer can help you:

• Clearly understand the laws or legalities surrounding your specific case while offering tailored legal advice throughout the claims process.
• Investigate the claim on your behalf and identify all of your options for recovery. An attorney can provide the best options for filing an insurance claim or for filing suit against the at-fault party. They can also help you ascertain who is liable for the car accident.
• Lead negotiations with any involved insurance companies. A lawyer can help you gather evidence of your injuries and hire medical specialists to provide expert testimony on how serious or permanent your injuries are. Your attorney can also help with determining when it’s appropriate to sign a release of all claims forms.
• Pursue a settlement that pays you fair and full compensation with the goal of getting you back to your normal quality of life as soon as possible after a crash. Having a skilled attorney in Florida who can handle interactions with the insurance company on your behalf is an important step towards being able to maximize your car accident settlement.
• If it becomes necessary, represent you at trial and advocate for your rights and interests in court.

What Damages Can I Claim After a Car Accident?

After an accident, many expenses can build up, and you may be unsure if these costs can be claimed with insurance. Many car accident victims and their families are only aware of a small portion of the damages to which they may be entitled.

Some examples of damages you might be eligible to pursue after a car accident in Florida include:

• Medical expenses – Receiving medical treatment for injuries after a car accident can be incredibly costly, especially if you’ll need surgery or physical therapy. A lawyer will review your medical records in order to calculate how much you may be able to claim for your medical bills, including past, present, and anticipated expenses for treatment and rehabilitation in the future.
• Lost wages – If you’re unable to work after an accident due to an injury, an attorney can help you calculate how much you may be owed in wages. This includes future income you may lose, if your injuries prevent you from working long-term or even permanently.
• Property damage – If you were carrying property in your vehicle that was damaged in a crash, you can claim compensation to cover repair or replacement costs for motor vehicles and personal property, such as a cell phone.
• Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering is a legal term referring to the compensation you can receive for the physical pain and emotional anguish incurred during an accident, such as loss of enjoyment of life or the loss of relationships or companionships. The total worth of a pain and suffering claim depends on the evidence available in order to prove the damages.
• Out-of-pocket expenses – Medications, assistive devices, travel to and from medical appointments are some examples of out-of-pocket expenses.
• Wrongful death – Losing a loved one in an accident is shattering. When a tragedy like this occurs, you might be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver for debts and funeral costs that incur. As per Florida Statute 768.21, a family member can claim for the loss of support and services from the date of the decedent’s death.

Any settlement you pursue after a car crash must be supported by evidence. An experienced attorney will work with accident investigators and experts to collect evidence to thoroughly evaluate your injuries and damages.

Car accidents are traumatic. Don’t go through this process alone. Call Kogan & DiSalvo’s experienced attorneys today to fight for the compensation you deserve.