Getting into a vehicle collision in a busy area like the Palmetto Expressway or near the busy streets of Downtown Miami can be a terrifying experience. Your mind likely races with concerns about your health and how you will pay for the damage to your car. Florida law provides specific protections for victims, but these rules are often changing and hard to track alone.
Understanding your rights is the first step toward making sure you do not get stuck with bills that someone else should pay. If you are struggling with a difficult insurance company, the experienced legal team at Freidin Brown can help.
Your Right to Seek Compensation
In Florida, you have the legal right to ask for money to cover the losses you suffered because of another driver’s mistakes. Because Florida is a no-fault state, you must first use your own Personal Injury Protection insurance to pay for initial medical costs. However, if your injuries are serious or your bills go over your policy limits, you can seek more money from the person who caused the crash. You usually do this in one of two ways.
The first way is by accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company. This is an agreement where they pay you a set amount of money, and in return, you agree not to sue them. A Florida car accident lawyer can benefit you here by negotiating for a much higher amount than the insurance company first offers. The second way is by filing a formal lawsuit in court. This is often necessary if the insurance company refuses to be fair. In both cases, having a professional on your side ensures that every detail of your injury is documented and used to support your claim.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages in Florida
When you ask for compensation, the law divides your losses into two main groups. Economic damages are the bills you can easily count because they have a specific dollar amount attached to them. Non-economic damages are for the things that do not have a price tag, like your physical pain or the stress the accident caused your family.
Florida Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
For a standard car accident, you also have a strict time limit to file your claim. Following recent changes to the law, most personal injury cases in Florida must be filed within two years of the date the accident happened. This is a shorter window than it used to be, which makes it very important to act fast and work with a personal injury lawyer. If you miss this two-year deadline, the court will almost certainly refuse to hear your case.
Starting your claim quickly allows your attorney to find witnesses and gather evidence like dashcam footage while it still exists. They will make sure all your paperwork is filed on time so your right to seek money is protected. By moving fast, you give your legal team the best chance to build a strong case and fight for your future. Do not wait until the last minute to find out how the law applies to your specific crash.
Secure Your Future After a Car Crash
You deserve a legal advocate who will stand up for your rights and fight for the full value of your claim. Dealing with the legal system can be overwhelming while you are trying to heal, but you do not have to do it by yourself. A professional can review the facts of your accident and help you decide if a settlement or a lawsuit is the right choice for you. Reach out to a legal professional today to learn more about your options and start your path to recovery.
