A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving victims to face life-altering consequences. After suffering injuries in a car accident, victims may require extended hospital stays, new medications, and time away from work as they heal. These expenses can quickly overwhelm victims and their families, leaving many wondering about their options for legal recourse.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not be forced to finance your own recovery. The talented personal injury attorneys at Dismuke are proud to provide our clients with unmatched legal representation. Our team has over 18 years of experience helping car accident victims recover the maximum compensation available for their injuries and other losses. Our attorneys understand the ins and outs of Florida personal injury laws and are ready to apply our extensive knowledge and skills to fight for you. Ask Dave and his team of Lakeland car accident lawyers about your rights and legal options.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations.
How Can a Skilled Car Accident Attorney Help You?
After a car accident, you deserve to have an experienced legal representative in your corner as you fight for justice. At Dismuke Law, we are committed to helping our clients secure the compensation they deserve for the full scope of their injuries and other losses. Some of the many ways our seasoned attorneys can assist with your claim include the following:
- Thoroughly investigating every detail of your accident
- Gathering crucial evidence to support your claim
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Determining the total value of your claim
- Filing paperwork correctly and on time
- Negotiating with all parties on your behalf
- Fighting aggressively for your rights and interests
- Keeping you up to date on the status of your case
- Answering your legal questions
- Guiding you through every step
Our attorneys understand that every car accident is unique and can impact victims in different ways. We are dedicated to working with you to understand your individual needs so we can personalize our approach to your case.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Florida?
It is vital to remember that car accident victims in Florida have a time limit for securing compensation for their accident-related losses. Florida’s statute of limitations for car accident claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to meet this critical deadline, you may forfeit your right to pursue justice for your damages.
Although two years may seem like plenty of time to seek justice, it is critical to contact an attorney sooner rather than later. Critical evidence may be lost or destroyed over time, and witnesses may move away or forget what they saw. A skilled attorney from Dismuke Law can begin work on your case immediately to ensure you meet this deadline and can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Damages You May Be Eligible to Collect Through a Car Accident Claim
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to collect damages for your losses, including the following:
- Medical Bills: Both your current and future medical expenses can be overwhelming. An attorney can help organize and anticipate these costs, ensuring they’re fully accounted for in your claim.
- Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, these damages can cover both your current lost wages and potential future earnings.
- Property Damage: These damages include the cost of repairs to your vehicle and compensation for any property damaged in the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional distress and physical pain can be challenging to endure in the wake of an accident. A skilled attorney can quantify these intangible losses to pursue fair compensation.
At Dismuke Law, our team is dedicated to evaluating the full impact of your injuries on both your current lifestyle and future prospects. We take pride in a comprehensive approach, considering all aspects of your life affected by the accident to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Florida Is a No-Fault State
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. According to Florida insurance requirements, most auto accident victims in Lakeland must file accident claims under their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage can help with medical expenses, lost earnings, and other losses, regardless of who caused the collision.
There are exceptions, however. Fulfilling a third-party claim or lawsuit against the driver who caused your accident is possible if you have experienced catastrophic physical injuries. These may include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Significant and permanent loss of a bodily function
- Permanent injuries
- Wrongful death
Filing a third-party insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver also opens the door to recovering non-monetary damages. These include losses like pain and suffering, which are not recoverable in a no-fault insurance claim.
An experienced auto accident attorney can explain the criteria for filing a personal injury lawsuit and whether your case is eligible. Call the 1-800-Ask-Dave legal team to learn more!
Determining Fault in Car Accidents
Identifying the at-fault party is one of the most important steps in a car crash case. Although most collisions are caused by driver error, the involved parties often have differing opinions about who is responsible.
Since there are always two sides to a story, it can be up to a judge or jury to decide who was at fault. Different states have different systems of determining financial responsibility. In Florida, we operate under a system known as “pure comparative negligence.”
What Is Pure Comparative Negligence?
Under the pure comparative negligence standard, each party can be, and often is, partially responsible for the accident. Each party is assigned a percentage of fault, depending on their role in the accident.
This percentage is determined by details such as:
- Police report.
- Witness statements.
- Driver statements.
- Vehicle damage.
- Any available photo or video evidence.
Florida uses this comparative fault method because the cause of the accident is not always black and white, and both parties are often in the wrong.
Can I Make a Claim If I Was Partially At-Fault in a Car Accident?
Unlike other fault determination standards, the comparative fault rule allows involved motorists to file damage claims even if accident responsibility is unequal.
This system has an advantage over other determination methods prohibiting 50% or more drivers at fault from recovering damages. Under pure comparative negligence, the damages each driver can recover are limited by the degree to which they were at fault.
For example, if a motorist was in an accident and was determined to be 70% at fault, they could seek to recover 30% of their damages.
Why Choose Us for Legal Representation?
Several factors set our law firm apart from other car accident lawyers:
- A board-certified civil trial lawyer leads our firm.
- Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney.
- We have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis; there are never fees unless you prevail.
We also offer a free initial consultation to help you understand your options and whether you need legal counsel. You can count on our honesty when we assess your case.
Partner With a Trusted Car Accident Attorney at Dismuke Law
If you have been hurt in a car accident, the consequences can stretch far beyond the immediate injuries. At Dismuke Law, we are well-versed in navigating complex car accident cases and helping our clients fight for justice. Our Lakeland team brings a deep understanding of the law to the table, alongside a steadfast commitment to ensuring that those at fault are held responsible for their actions. We pride ourselves on a history of securing favorable outcomes for our clients, and we’re here to support you in fighting for the compensation you are owed.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling (863) 250-5050 or completing our contact form.
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