Were you injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver? The Destin personal injury attorneys at The Bruner Law Firm can help.
In 2018, Florida saw 403,626 car accidents causing more than 3,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries, according to numbers from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department. The actions of reckless and negligent drivers can cost victims their physical health, mental well-being, and financial security.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a negligent driver, you could recover compensation for your injuries, time missed from work, and property damage. The legal team at The Bruner Law Firm has decades of experience handling accident claims. We can guide you through the entire legal process, whether we’re filing an injury claim or taking a driver to court.
We will review the circumstances of your accident and clearly lay out all of your legal options. Throughout your case, we will work hard to make sure your rights are protected and you aren’t being taken advantage of by profit-focused insurance adjusters. If you want more information on how we can help you recover full and fair compensation after a serious car accident, call us today at (850) 243-2222 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose an Experienced Destin Car Accident Attorney?
The aftermath of a serious car accident is a challenging time, especially when a victim is suffering pain from physical injuries. An accident victim may feel pressure to heal and return to work quickly, as well as anxiety over mounting medical bills, vehicle repair bills, and the cost of daily living.
While dealing with all of this, you may also have an insurance adjuster calling to pressure you to take a quick settlement that may only cover your initial medical bills. Insurance companies are for-profit entities and, no matter how friendly or supportive they sound on the phone, their main priority is to minimize your payout or deny your claim outright.
At The Bruner Law Firm, we believe your top priority following your accident should be your own recovery, both physical and emotional. Our experienced and aggressive attorneys will defend your rights from day one. We’ll handle the entire insurance claim on your behalf and work strategically to maximize your payout.
Our attorneys have the tools and resources to effectively investigate your accident and find the evidence necessary to support your case. We will compile drivers’ records, surveillance footage, medical records, witness statements, and anything else that will help your claim.
We will also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions, all while fighting to get you the maximum amount of compensation.
While your attorney fights for you, you will be free to focus on your recovery and have the peace of mind of knowing that you have seasoned, award-winning attorneys on your side. If you are ready to move forward with your life following an accident with a negligent driver, contact the law firm of The Bruner Law Firm for help. We want to get you the money you deserve.
Types of Car Accidents Cases We Handle
Driving an automobile is a privilege. You receive a driver’s license only when you learn the rules of the road and agree to follow them. When a driver disregards those rules, they put the safety of themselves and others in jeopardy.
One of the most dangerous behaviors that contribute to car accidents today is distracted driving. A study published in a Florida newspaper found that Florida is the second-worst state in the nation for distracted driving. In 2016 alone, distracted driving was responsible for causing at least 50,000 crashes.
Distracted driving is not the only cause of car accidents, however. At The Bruner Law Firm, our attorneys have experience handling a wide range of car accident situations, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Disregarding traffic laws
- Accidents caused by mechanical or manufacturing defects
- Hazardous road condition accidents
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a reckless or negligent driver, contact the law firm of The Bruner Law Firm for more information about how we can help you recover compensation.
Florida Laws That Impact Car Accident Claims
Florida is one of a dozen states in the nation that follows what’s known as the “no-fault” system when it comes to car accidents and insurance claims.
The no-fault model means that when a driver is involved in an accident, the driver must first turn to their own insurance policy for compensation – regardless of who is at fault.
Drivers typically have personal injury protection, or PIP coverage, that will compensate them for medical costs and some other financial losses, such as a portion of lost wages and certain at-home services that may be needed. This coverage only pays out for economic damages related to the accident. It does not compensate individuals for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Although the bulk of car accident claims are handled through PIP, there are certain situations where a driver may attempt to hold another driver or that driver’s insurance company responsible for an accident.
If a victim has a “serious injury” after an accident, they can pursue legal action or an insurance claim against the other driver’s insurance company. The phrase “serious injury” has legal connotations. In Florida, to have a serious injury from a car accident, you must demonstrate that you meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Substantial disfigurement
- Serious bone fracture
- Permanent limitation of a body part or internal organ
- Significant limitation of a body function
- Full disability for 90 days
Navigating the insurance claims process in Florida can be confusing, especially since multiple insurance companies may be involved. An attorney with The Bruner Law Firm will take the time to review your case and lay out all your legal options, giving you the knowledge and advice you need to move forward and achieve the most positive outcome for your situation.
The other law that’s important to be aware of is Florida’s statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations is the time limit you have to file a lawsuit in a state’s civil court system. In Florida, the statute of limitations for car accident injury cases is four years. This means you have four years from the date of the accident and injury to file your lawsuit.
There are certain factors that could extend the deadline in your case. If, for example, you discovered your injury after the date of the accident, you may have more time. There are also factors, however, that could shorten your timeframe. If the at-fault party was a government employee in a government vehicle, for example, you may have only months to file your suit.
It’s crucial that you talk to an attorney immediately following your accident to understand your options and the deadlines in your case. If you miss the statute of limitations for your accident, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation in a court of law.
Compensation Available for Car Accident Cases
In order to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive following your car accident, numerous factors are considered, including the nature of the accident, the cause of the accident, the seriousness of the injuries, the amount of property damage involved, and other factors.
An attorney will carefully review the details of your case to determine the full compensation you may be due. If you’re able to file an injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, you may be able to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical costs, current and future
- Rehabilitation services
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Florida also has certain regulations on the books that may significantly impact the amount of compensation a victim can receive. One of those regulations is known as the “pure comparative fault” rule. According to this rule, a victim’s compensation may be diminished in proportion to their percentage of fault in their accident.
For example, if it is determined that the victim was 20 percent responsible for causing an accident, then they can collect the full amount of damages minus 20 percent. If their damages totaled $100,000, they’d only be allowed to collect $80,000.
Similarly, if the other driver is responsible for 80 percent of the accident, they can collect 20 percent of the total amount of damages. However, they or their insurance company would be responsible for paying the other driver’s 80 percent share as well.
Understanding this system is important because it impacts the amount of compensation you can receive following an accident. Contacting an attorney gives you the best chance at securing the maximum amount of compensation. An attorney will thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident, and work hard to gather evidence that shows the other party’s negligence caused your accident and injuries.
Contact an Experienced Destin Car Accident Attorney Today
Car accidents are frightening. They can leave deep physical and mental scars long after the accident. In addition to your physical and mental pain, you may also feel the acute stress of being thrown into sudden financial instability. Reckless and negligent drivers shouldn’t get away with turning your life upside down. They deserve to be held accountable for their actions, and you deserve a full and fair financial settlement.
If you want to find out how the compassionate team at The Bruner Law Firm can help you navigate this difficult time, call (850) 243-2222 to schedule a free initial case evaluation. With more than 20 years of experience, we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve after your accident.
