Were you injured or did you lose a loved one in a car accident in Niceville? If so, make sure to contact an experienced Niceville personal injury lawyer at The Bruner Law Firm for help right away. You could be owed significant compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the crash. Time is limited to take action though, so don’t wait until it is too late to get justice.
Car accidents are a frequent occurrence on roads in Niceville and across the state of Florida. In 2018, there were 403,626 car accidents on state roads, according to data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. That total includes more than 255,000 injuries and 3,000 deaths. Car accidents may be common, but when you’re involved in one, the experience feels anything but normal. It’s a frightening and traumatic ordeal with potentially life-long consequences for victims.
The legal team at The Bruner Law Firm has extensive experience helping people just like you who’ve been hurt in car accidents in the Sunshine State. Our team will aggressively seek the maximum compensation possible for your injury claim. When you hire us, you’ll pay us absolutely nothing until we win your case. To discuss the accident and find out how we can help you, contact The Bruner Law Firm for a no-obligation, free case evaluation.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
Car accidents are traumatic events posing significant challenges to victims. The most immediate challenge is trying to heal from your injuries. You’re likely recovering from the accident, missing work, and struggling to keep up with medical bills stacked on top of your normal household expenses.
What does this have to do with hiring an attorney? Everything. An experienced car accident attorney can take the burden of a legal case off your shoulders, giving you the time and space to heal physically and emotionally after your accident.
A skilled attorney can also help you assess your financial situation and work toward the full and fair compensation you deserve after an accident with a negligent driver. Don’t take on the complexities of an injury claim or court case while recovering from serious injuries.
The car accident attorneys at our firm know how to investigate these cases and find proof of the other driver’s culpability. By collecting surveillance footage, driving records, police reports, and anything else that will help your case, we will build a strong foundation to get you what you deserve.
Insurance companies are for-profit entities that always keep the bottom-line at the top of their concerns. Some companies may take advantage of a victim’s fragile financial situation by giving them a low offer. In a victim’s desperation, they may accept an immediate check, even though it won’t come close to covering their extensive medical bills and property damage.
Before you sign on the dotted line and sign away your legal rights, consult an experienced car accident attorney who can determine what your case is really worth.
Types of Car Accidents Cases We Handle
The term “car accident” is a broad term covering numerous scenarios. Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons with many different results.
The type of car accident may impact the severity of your injuries and the extent of your property damage. Every accident has its own unique set of circumstances that may impact the outcome of a case or insurance claim.
The attorneys with The Bruner Law Firm understand this and have experience handling a wide variety of claims. Some of the cases that we handle include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Disregarding traffic laws
- Mechanical or manufacturing defect accidents
- Hazardous road condition accidents
If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident because of a reckless or negligent driver, please contact the law firm of The Bruner Law Firm to determine how we can help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Florida Car Accident Laws
About a dozen states in the U.S. follow the “no-fault” car insurance model for dealing with auto accidents. Florida is one of them.
A no-fault system means that when a driver is involved in a car accident, they first turn to their own insurance provider for compensation. In Florida, this is also known as personal injury protection, or PIP coverage. This insurance coverage will typically pay for the medical expenses and some of the financial losses of the individuals covered under the policy, no matter who was at fault for the accident. PIP will not cover compensation for pain and suffering.
In cases involving a “serious injury,” a victim can pursue legal action or an insurance claim against another driver, holding them at fault for the accident. This type of claim may be eligible for payment of non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
To be considered a “serious injury” under Florida guidelines, a victim must experience at least one of the following as a result of the collision:
- 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
With so many legal distinctions that need to be made, it’s crucial to talk to an experienced attorney about where your case fits within all these rules.
Not only can an attorney lay out all of your legal options, but a skilled lawyer will also be able to negotiate on your behalf with an insurance company or build a case to take a negligent driver or their insurance company to court.
Compensation for Car Accident Cases
The compensation following a car accident may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. If you suffered a serious injury and are pursuing an injury claim or personal injury lawsuit, you may be eligible for compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation services
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
It’s also important for drivers to remember that every accident has its own set of unique circumstances that come into play when filing a claim or lawsuit. There is no catch-all number assigned to car accident claims. This can work in your favor.
You want fair and full compensation for your individual needs and situation, not a generic number that doesn’t come close to covering all your expenses. That’s why we take such care in getting to know you and the circumstances of your accident at The Bruner Law Firm. After a detailed analysis of your situation, bills, expenses, and property damage, we can better understand what level of compensation you can expect.
It’s also important to know that the state of Florida subscribes to what is known as a “pure comparative fault” model when it comes to establishing fault and doling out compensation.
Based on the available evidence, a jury or judge will calculate the total amount of damages and the percentage of fault each driver bears for causing the accident.
For example, if it’s determined that a victim is 20 percent responsible for causing the accident, that person is entitled to the full amount of damages, minus 20 percent. If the damages totaled $100,000, then that individual could only collect $80,000.
Even if you are 95 percent responsible for causing a serious accident, you are still entitled to 5 percent of the total amount of damages in a pure comparative fault system. However, that also means that driver is liable for 95 percent of the other driver’s damages.
An attorney can conduct an investigation and examine the evidence to build a strong case establishing the other party’s fault for the accident, giving you the best chance at recovering full compensation.
Need more information on what you may be entitled to after being involved in a serious accident? Contact the legal team at The Bruner Law Firm.
Get in Touch with an Experienced Niceville Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents can result in significant and life-changing injuries. Operating a vehicle is a privilege. When a driver fails to follow the law, acts recklessly or with negligence, they need to be held accountable for their actions.
You’ve already been the victim of a negligent driver. We don’t want you to be victimized all over again by paying out of pocket for someone else’s wrongdoing. Take action today and start the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a serious car accident, don’t try to negotiate with an insurance company or file a legal claim without help.
At The Bruner Law Firm, we can help you navigate your way through the process of recovering compensation after a car accident. You have legal rights – don’t let anyone take them away. Contact the seasoned team at The Bruner Law Firm for advice on your case. Call us today at (850) 605-0672 and let us help you get started with a free case evaluation.
