If you were hurt in a car accident, you may be wondering who is going to pay for the related costs and how long your injuries are going to affect your ability to work.
A West Palm Beach car accident lawyer from Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers may be able to help. We can seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. We’ve won millions for our past clients – and it costs nothing up front to start a case.
Recoverable Damages in a Florida Car Accident Case
After a car accident, medical procedures and physician visits can be expensive. Household tasks can also add up if you are unable to work. Florida allows us to seek compensation for the following costs:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Household tasks
- Temporary transportation
We will seek compensation for all of your medical care needs so that you don’t have to pay for your injuries out of pocket. Healing may take months, years, or longer – and our team will work to show an insurance company that you deserve compensation to pay for it.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, your crash could affect every aspect of your life. We will try to understand the material and non-material impacts of the accident, then seek a settlement that reflects your suffering as well as your financial costs.
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Near Me (561) 899-5020
How Our Injury Lawyers Can Assist After a Car Accident in West Palm Beach
Whether you were hit by a truck driver on I-95 or an Uber driver pulling out of Publix on Village Boulevard, we can help. Our attorneys will handle all the legal complexities of your case so that you don’t have to worry about anything more than your recovery.
At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we can:
Offer a Complimentary Consultation
Every case starts with a complimentary consultation, which is an important part of the process as the details of every accident differ. During this call, we will get to know you and the details of your case.
We will also discuss the next steps and how we plan to seek the compensation that you deserve. The complimentary consultation is also a great time for you to get to know our car accident lawyers and to ask any questions you might have about the legal process.
Handle Communication with the Insurance Provider
Because Florida is a no-fault state, we may first seek compensation from your insurance provider. However, if you are eligible to seek compensation from the other driver, we will do so.
We will handle the entire process of insurance negotiations and seek an out-of-court settlement. While we can often seek a fair settlement in car accident cases, our legal team is ready to take your case to trial if this presents the best option for your compensation.
File a Third-Party Lawsuit on Your Behalf
If a third-party lawsuit makes sense for your case, we can assist you by representing you during the process. We can establish fault and determine that the four elements of negligence are present in your case.
Chalik & Chalik Car Accidents Lawyer Near Me (561) 899-5020
Florida’s Car Accident Laws and Your Legal Options After a Crash
Our attorneys understand Florida’s car accident laws and can determine the best legal steps to take for your case.
Florida’s No-Fault Car Accident Laws
As mentioned, Florida is a no-fault state, so regardless of fault, you can seek compensation for your injuries from your insurance provider. The state requires all Florida drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL).
Depending on the outcome of the car accident, it is possible to have damages that exceed the $10,000 limit. If injury costs exceed this amount, we can seek compensation through the other party’s insurance or a third-party lawsuit.
Third-Party Lawsuit Legal Requirements
A third-party lawsuit seeks compensation from the responsible party. If you have serious injuries, we can help you bring a case against the negligent driver.
In order to demonstrate fault, we must establish the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: We must demonstrate that the other party held a legal duty of care for your safety.
- Breach of duty: We must establish that the defendant breached that duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly.
- Causation: We must demonstrate that the breach of duty caused the accident.
- Actual damages: We must determine that actual damages occurred. These are the costs that we may seek to recoup.
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How Comparative Fault Laws Could Affect Your Compensation
Fault is not always simple to establish. In many car accident cases, both parties share some degree of responsibility.
However, Florida’s comparative negligence laws allow you to seek compensation even if you are partially to blame for the accident, per Florida Statutes § 768.81. However, your compensation amount can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Establishing Fault
It is important that we gather solid evidence in order to demonstrate that the other party was primarily at fault. We will assist you in determining fault by collecting the following types of documents:
- Police records
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert witness statements
We may be able to gather evidence from additional sources as necessary, including local traffic camera footage.
For a free legal consultation with a Chalik & Chalik lawyer serving West Palm Beach, call (561) 899-5020
Important Steps to Take for Your Injury Case in West Palm Beach
You may have many questions about your car accident case. For now, know that you can take several steps to protect the value of your case.
Follow Through on Your Doctors’ Orders
You should seek emergency care immediately if you have symptoms after a car accident. Then, follow your doctors’ orders. Take the prescribed medications and get recommended follow-up treatment.
This helps link your accident to your injuries, prove the extent of your injuries, and demonstrate your prognosis. It’s also important to get medical care to give yourself the best chance of recovery.
Be Aware of Low Settlement Offers
The insurer could contact you and make an offer soon after the accident. Let us review these offers to ensure you’re getting a fair settlement.
We can investigate your case and your health outlook to be sure you’re receiving the compensation you need to cover your medical bills in the past, present, and future.
Act Before the Statute of Limitations Deadline in Florida
If you are eligible to file a lawsuit, you must meet Florida’s statute of limitations deadline. Generally, we must file all lawsuits within four years from the date of the accident, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). However, it is also possible that this statute of limitations is shorter or longer, depending on the details of the car accident.
It is important to discuss the details of your case with a car accident lawyer’s team as soon as possible.
Our West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer Can Get to Work on Your Case Today
Our car accident lawyers serving West Palm Beach, FL, can fight for you. Our team understands Florida’s no-fault laws and the legal process so that we can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers takes pride in treating clients like family. You can expect to work directly with our firm’s partners if you choose to hire us. Call us for free to learn how we can help you begin the path to recovery: (561) 899-5020.
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