Car accidents are a common occurrence in Florida. If you sustain injuries in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation by filing an injury claim with your insurance company. Since Florida is a no-fault state, you can sue the at-fault driver only for additional damages your own insurance doesn’t cover. 

Florida Is A No-Fault State

Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents, which means that every driver is required to buy no-fault insurance known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage pays out benefits no matter who causes the accident. No-fault insurance is specifically engineered to quickly and efficiently compensate accident victims. However, PIP coverage only covers up to 80 percent of your medical expenses and up to 60 percent of your lost wages, so you may be left with a significant portion of your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages following an accident.

Serious Injury Threshold In Florida For Car Accident Lawsuits

If you were injured severely in an auto accident, you potentially could sue the driver found at-fault for damages. Some serious injuries include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, severe burns, broken bones, and other injuries deemed catastrophic. Serious injuries are defined in Florida statutes as:

• Loss of bodily functions or mobility
• Life-threatening injuries with a substantial risk of causing death
• Substantial disfigurement or scarring
• A physical condition that has a high risk of resulting in a long-term disability or permanent impairment. 

You may be eligible to file an injury or lawsuit against the at-fault driver, but you first must prove the other driver was at-fault for the accident. 

Recovering Damages When Suing For A Car Accident 

If you decide to sue for damages, then you should call your lawyer. You can pursue economic damages against a negligent driver through a personal injury suit. You may also seek compensation for “pain and suffering,” or non-economic damages. Damages you may receive for a car accident lawsuit include:

• Past and future loss of benefits, wages, and other income
• Past and future cost of medical treatment and care
• Scarring, disfigurement, disabilities, and impairments
• Reductions in your future earning potential 
• Lowered quality of life
• Pain and suffering damages like physical discomfort, mental anguish

Calling Your Attorney After An Auto Accident

If you get in an auto accident, immediately call 911 to report the crash and request help. Do not admit fault for the car accident when telling the police officer what happened, and don’t discuss the accident with anybody other than the police officer. Seek immediate medical attention for injuries, even if you don’t think you’re injured seriously, because certain injuries may not present symptoms for a few hours or even days after a crash. 

You should try and speak with an expert Florida car accident lawyer like Mantia Law Firm as soon as possible. A car accident attorney can help determine your legal rights and offer guidance and advice while navigating your case. The best way to protect your right to recover fair compensation for a car accident claim is to understand your legal rights and options for filing injury claims.

Contact Us Today

If you were in a car accident in Florida, you need an experienced car accident attorney to get you the compensation you legally deserve. Call Mantia Law Firm for an appointment today.