A car accident can change your life permanently. You may endure severe injuries that lead to extensive medical bills. You may be unable to work, and you may experience tremendous pain and suffering.
It doesn’t seem fair when if the accident occurred due to the reckless, negligent, or illegal actions of another driver. You need a Destin car accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve so you can come back stronger.
A Destin personal injury lawyer from the Fasig | Brooks Law Offices can help. We have secured millions of dollars in settlements and awards for people just like you. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The hours and days after a car accident are important, not only for ensuring you are in good health or on the right track for recovery. They are also a significant time period for collecting information about your potential compensation claim.
Your Destin accident lawyer will do most of the hard work in putting your case together. You can help by taking the right steps following your injury.
Get Medical Attention
See a doctor after a car crash, even if you think you feel fine. If an ambulance arrives on the scene, allow them to treat you and take you to the hospital if necessary. The most important thing is to make sure you are getting the treatment you need.
Your medical records will also create a timeline of your injuries and their progress, and that can play a role in your compensation. Be sure to follow up with any appointments your doctor recommends.
Keep Detailed Records
From the moment you are able, start taking notes on everything related to your accident. Keep track of receipts, medical records, physical therapy bills, and any other expenses, including lost wages. Take photos of your damaged car and the accident scene if possible.
Note how the car accident has impacted you and your family and how it has changed your daily routine. Some information may be relevant, and some may not. Your Destin car accident layer will be able to determine how it can help your case.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Destin
It is smart to contact a Destin car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. We can help you understand your rights under Florida law and offer advice on how to proceed with your case.
An insurance company may offer you a settlement, but it isn’t wise to accept it until you speak with an attorney. Insurance companies will rarely offer the compensation you deserve, so make sure you have someone in your concern fighting for your interests.
At Fasig | Brooks, we will work to get you the compensation you need.
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How a Destin Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Our personal injury law firm offers a free consultation for victims of car accidents. During your initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer, we can discuss your situation and get a better sense of how we can work together.
After an accident, especially one that causes serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a victim can be quickly overwhelmed by the obligations they must attend to, including:
- Filing a claim
- Making sense of their insurance coverage
- Managing the claims investigation
- Working with insurance adjusters
- Trying to focus on their personal recovery
- Handling the impacts on their employment
- Navigating the difficulty this type of accident causes to their lives
After an accident, our personal injury attorneys in Destin can fight for the money you need to achieve a positive outcome. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so that we can begin representing you through the claims process.
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Common Causes of Car Accidents in Destin
A car crash can happen in many ways, but here are some of the most common causes we see:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on their phones, eating, or otherwise distracted may be liable in a car accident.
- Speeding and reckless driving: Driving over the speed limit and failing to follow traffic laws contribute to many car accidents.
- Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
- Aggressive driving: Driver who let their emotions get the best of them may behave erratically and endanger lives.
- Bad weather: Rain, snow, and ice can cause accidents, especially if a driver fails to adjust their speed to road conditions.
- Fatigue: Lack of sleep reduces reaction times and may even cause a driver to doze off at the wheel.
- Bad roads: A poorly maintained road can cause a car accident. In these cases, the city or county may bear some of the liability.
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Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in Destin, FL?
Even minor motor vehicle accidents can lead to long-term injury complications, such as chronic pain and loss of quality of life. Some car accident injuries, such as whiplash, may not even show symptoms for days or weeks after a collision.
The at-fault party’s insurance company may try to convince you the accident is minor, often because they hope to settle the claim for as little as possible. During a free consultation with our Destin car accident attorneys, we can discuss your case and go through the details of your accident.
Our experienced attorneys will get an understanding of the physical, financial, and psychological hardships you’ve suffered due to your accident. We’ll use that information to arrive at a settlement number that can actually make a difference in your life.
Types of Compensation for a Car Accident in Florida
Potential financial compensation after a car accident varies on a case-by-case basis due to a wide range of factors. Your medical bills and lost wages, as well as the emotional and physical impacts that the accident has had on your life, should be reflected in your accident claim.
There are several types of personal injury claims:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are relatively easy to quantify in auto accidents, as they are based on the actual costs and financial losses you have incurred due to the motor vehicle crash. While every case is unique, expenses for an injured person may include
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future loss of income
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non–economic damages are equally important as economic damages but apply to issues that do not have measurable dollar values. As with economic damages, they are extremely specific to your unique situation. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
Punitive Damages
Both economic and non-economic damages are considered compensatory damages. They are meant to compensate you for loss of income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. However, there is a third class of damages.
Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases where the at-fault driver has acted illegally or with extreme recklessness or negligence. A court typically orders punitive damages against the responsible party, and this can greatly increase your award.
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?
You should hire an experienced lawyer before filing an insurance claim with the liable party’s provider. Initiating the claims process is fairly simple, which is why many people take this step without speaking with an attorney.
An insurance company may try to avoid paying fair compensation to the victim in every possible way. They may try to leverage clerical or administrative errors you commit or take your statements out of context.
A car accident attorney in Destin, FL, initiates your claim, handles your legal services, and handles all communications with insurance companies. You don’t need to worry about “gotcha” tactics that will twist your words and build an argument against paying you what you are rightfully owed.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident In Destin, Florida?
In most cases, the Florida statute of limitations for car accidents and personal injuries is two years, as per Florida Statutes § 95.11. This means you have a two-year time limit after the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, there can be exceptions under the law:
- When a victim is a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations doesn’t begin until they turn 18.
- If the victim is mentally incapacitated, the statute of limitations begins when they regain competence.
- If the defendant leaves Florida, the statute of limitations pauses and restarts when they return to the state.
- If the defendant is willfully attempting to avoid law enforcement, the statute of limitations will begin or resume when they are located.
It is important to consult with a Destin car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident so you fully understand the legal process. Our attorneys can help you avoid missing an important date or deadline that could mean forfeiting your rights to compensation.
Let Our Destin, FL, Car Accident Attorneys Help You
The sooner you contact our legal team at Fasig | Brooks for a free consultation, the sooner you can look toward a future that prioritizes your health and wellness.
Our award-winning law firm of legal professionals is here to help accident victims move forward with their lives and get the money they rightfully deserve.
We know what needs to be done to facilitate a fair settlement. Contact us now to learn more about how our Destin car accident lawyers can help.
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