South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
There are important steps to be taken when someone has been involved in a car crash in Boca Raton, Florida. These procedures ensure that the victim has a fair chance at a positive outcome from a car accident claim. They include receiving medical care, filing a police report, contacting the insurance company, etc. In addition, the next important step is contacting an experienced Boca Raton car accident lawyer for legal representation.
The aftermath of a car crash can be overwhelming for a victim. It can be expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating to return to the same position someone was in before the accident. This is where hiring a lawyer with experience in car accident cases is advised.
A car accident victim has no legal obligation to contact a lawyer. However, doing so can be highly beneficial. Hiring an experienced attorney plays a vital role in protecting one’s rights and recovering compensation for injuries and losses. This article discusses why it is important to find a lawyer with experience in car crash cases.
What Type of Crash Does an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Handle?
An experienced car accident lawyer can represent victims in claims involving:
- Drunk or intoxicated drivers
- Hit and run accidents
- Negligent drivers
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Tire blow-outs and mechanical problems
- Head-on or rear-end collisions
- Side-impact collisions or T-bone accidents
- Accidents involving pedestrians
- Uber, Lyft, ridesharing accidents
- Self-driving car accidents, etc.
What Makes a Lawyer Experienced in Car Accident Cases?
Many lawyers claim to be experienced, but this is not always entirely true. The importance of actual case results and proven trial success cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, an experienced attorney should be forthcoming with case results, trial history, and years of practice when asked.
Car accident lawyers should have the skill to handle the pressure of car accident claims. It is best to conduct extensive research on a lawyer and ask questions before hiring. There are important questions to ask to determine a lawyer’s experience and competence. These include:
- How long has the lawyer been handling car accident cases?
- Do they have the required expertise and knowledge to handle the case?
- How does their contingency fee work?
- Do they have the time to take up someone’s accident case?
- Do they work with any other experts to handle car accident cases?
- Do they also represent insurance companies?
- What is the victim’s accident claim worth?
- Why should they be chosen amongst other lawyers, etc.?
How Important Is It to Use an Attorney with Experience in Car Accident Cases?
It is important to find a lawyer experienced in handling car accidents cases. This decision can make or break one’s accident claim. Using an experienced lawyer ensures one’s rights are protected during the claim process. Let’s discuss some primary reasons to hire an experienced car accident lawyer:
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Excellent Knowledge of the Law
An experienced car accident lawyer can identify the legal issues and laws applicable to a claim. They know the Statute of Limitations on personal injury claims. Thus, they can actively start building a case before the action becomes statute-barred.
A knowledgeable accident attorney who knows the specific personal injury laws gives an edge over one who doesn’t. They also increase the chances of recovering adequate compensation for the injuries and losses suffered.
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Determining the Value of the Accident Claim
An experienced Boca Raton car accident lawyer knows how to determine the true value of an accident claim. As a result, they can tell how much a victim stands to seek for compensation after an initial investigation. An attorney will also be able to give an insight on whether a case is likely to succeed or fail.
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Handling Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters will find ways to minimize or dismiss the victim’s accident claim when a car crash has occurred. However, it can be difficult to protect one’s best interest without legal representation. In addition, it can lead to recovering low and unfair compensation. This is because insurance companies are more concerned with limiting their liability.
However, having an experienced car accident lawyer levels the playing field. They know how to communicate with the insurance carrier. This way, the victim can focus on recovering while their attorney works on the legal process.
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Proving Liability
One of the most complicated parts of a car accident claim is proving that another’s negligence caused the injuries. An experienced accident lawyer can investigate and determine who caused the accident and the injuries sustained.
In building a solid case, the lawyer must prove these four elements:
- The negligent driver owed the victim a duty of care
- The negligent driver breached their duty of care which led to a car accident
- The victim suffered injuries and losses as a result of the car accident.
- The victim incurred actual damages as a result of the injuries
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Gathering Evidence
A lawyer carries out investigations and gathers sufficient evidence to prove a claim. An accident claim is only as strong as the evidence backing it. In building a strong case, the attorney will gather evidence such as:
- Police crash report
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Medical reports
- Work records
- Receipts and other relevant documents, etc.
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Negotiating Settlement Offers
Most car accident cases in Boca Raton, Florida, are settled out of court. A skilled car accident lawyer can help one understand the settlement options available. The settlement involves the at-fault party or the insurance company offering money to the accident victim.
An attorney guides the victim through the negotiation process. They will also help negotiate a better offer or determine whether to accept the proposed offer.
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Filing a Court Case
A crash victim may decide to accept a settlement offer or resort to seeking justice in court. A lawyer will advise on which of the two is a better option. If it’s a trial, the attorney files the lawsuit and handles the trial.
What Compensation Can an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Help a Crash Victim Recover?
The success of an accident claim depends on the ability of the lawyer to collect, analyze, and present evidence to prove the claim. Thus, hiring a lawyer increases the odds of winning the case and recovering compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses incurred
- Lost wages/loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Property damages
- Emotional damages
- Wrongful death, etc.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Charge for Car Accident Claims?
There is no set amount that an experienced car accident lawyer can typically charge for an accident case. However, most experienced attorneys in Boca Raton, Florida, work on a contingency fee basis. This means they do not get paid until the victim successfully recovers compensation.
The fee is a percentage of the settlement or a portion of what was awarded by the court. The average contingency fee is usually between 33% to 40% of the settlement. This depends on the quality of service rendered and the state’s guidelines.
Contact an Experienced Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer Today
Car accidents in Boca Raton, Florida, can leave you with extensive physical injuries and financial burdens. You may be entitled to receive compensation for the injuries and losses suffered. However, without legal representation, you may receive low and unfair compensation.
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our team of experienced attorneys will aggressively pursue your right to seek a favorable settlement. You can depend on our commitment as we never settle for less than what you deserve. Contact us today at (561) 800-8000 to schedule a free consultation.