Port St. Lucie Car Wreck Lawyer
Car wrecks can happen anywhere in Port St. Lucie, and when they do motorists end up with surprise expenses that few of them can afford. At Smith, Ball & Báez, our legal team has helped many motorists seek fair compensation after a wreck. Florida’s insurance laws have added considerable confusion about who you can sue and when, and many victims don’t know whether they qualify for compensation. Please contact us to speak with a Port St. Lucie car wreck lawyer. We know Florida’s insurance laws inside and out, and we can provide proper legal representation.
Florida’s Insurance Laws for Car Accidents
Florida is one of a handful of no-fault car insurance states in the country. Before you could register your car, you probably purchased at least $10,000 in personal injury protection benefits. This insurance, called PIP, will cover some of your medical expenses and lost income after a crash.
PIP insurance has rules and regulations many people are unaware of. For example, you need to receive medical care within 14 days of the accident to make a claim on your PIP insurance. You also need an “emergency medical condition” to be eligible for the full amount of insurance benefits, otherwise you are limited to $2,500.
The no-fault system also prevents most lawsuits, even against a negligent driver. You can only sue if you have a sufficiently serious injury, as defined by law. If not, you can’t sue for pain and suffering compensation for your injury.
Many of our clients are suffering from serious injuries in crashes, including:
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Compressed nerves
- Burns
- Abrasions
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
These injuries often force victims to miss weeks or months of work. Unsurprisingly, you might find yourself with more than $10,000 in losses caused by the collision. Finding additional sources of compensation is helpful.
Our lawyers can help you analyze whether you can sue a driver for failing to use adequate care. Many accidents are the fault of distracted, intoxicated, fatigued, or careless drivers. When the facts warrant it, we can make an insurance claim on the driver’s liability coverage or file a lawsuit. We might also make a claim on your uninsured motorist insurance if you ended up purchasing a policy.
Medical care and lost wages are only some of the out-of-pocket expenses accident victims have. You probably also need to get your car fixed. We can also seek money for emotional distress, mental anguish, physical pain, suffering, and loss of consortium.
Get Expert Legal Advice
Florida’s no-fault insurance scheme has created controversy and sowed much confusion. Many accident victims are unsure of what to do in the days following a crash. Please contact one of the lawyers at Smith, Ball & Báez. A Port St. Lucie car wreck lawyer will reach out to you and answer any questions you have. We can also get to work filing an insurance claim or collecting evidence for a lawsuit, if you choose to hire us to represent you.
