Auto Accidents Info
Car Accident Private Investigator in South Florida
What to Do if You Are Involved in an Auto Accident in Florida
How will a Car Accident Private Investigator or Attorney Help?
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions about Florida Automobile Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents
Personal Injury Topics:
Brain Injury
Bicycle Accidents
Boating Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Dog Bites
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Auto Accidents Info - Car Accident Private Investigator in South Florida
Careless and aggressive driving is an unfortunate reality in our daily lives, and auto accidents have become a regular occurrence on our highways and streets. Most of us have at one time or another been involved in a car accident, but we often fail to realize the extent to which we are vulnerable on the road. At CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences auto accidents can have on innocent victims and their families. From sky high medical bills to lost wages and crippling injuries, victims must overcome serious obstacles to get their lives back in order. This is why following auto accidents, our private investigators and attorneys in south Florida are committed to helping victims recover.
If you have been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for property damage, injuries, and pain and suffering. Even if you are unsure of who was at fault, our private investigation agency may be able to help. Please contact Cory T. Knight at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC today to speak with our car accident investigators, located in Hollywood and cities throughout Florida.
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How will a Car Accident Private Investigator or Attorney Help?
What You Should Know?
Following serious auto accidents, victims can expect vehicle property damage to be the least of their problems. Serious bodily injury can be sustained not only from the initial contact with the other vehicle, but from the secondary impact within your own vehicle. And despite the fact that vehicles are designed with new and improved safety features, auto accidents remain the leading cause of death among young adults. Unfortunately our Florida private investigation agency has investigated thousands of car crashes, we have investigated rear end collisions, head on collisions, pedestrians struck by motor vehicles, bicycle accidents, as well as fatalities as a result of Florida auto crashes.
Our private investigator agency is well aware that injuries associated with auto accidents can wreak havoc on the lives of victims and also the lives of their family members. For this reason, the car accident private investigators at our Hollywood, Florida investigation agency are committed to offering the kind of invaluable investigative and guidance that puts families on the path to recovery. Our Florida auto accident investigators and the attorneys we deal with can help you and your family receive financial compensation for:
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Your Pain and suffering
• Loss of Consortium
• Medical Expenses
• Scaring, Disfigurement and traumatic brain injury
• Funeral costs (following the death of a loved one)
• Emotional trauma
If you would like to speak with one of our auto accident private investigators, please feel free to contact Cory T. Knight at C.T.K. INVESTIGATIONS, LLC in Hollywood, Florida today.
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What to Do if You Are Involved in an Auto Accident
Many private investigation agencies may offer similar advice, however we realize that while we handle thousands of Florida auto accident investigations a year, this may be your (or your family members) first auto accident. The first moments following an auto accident can be extremely freighting, hectic and confusing. If you are involved in a traffic collision, our auto accident investigators advise you to take the following steps immediately to ensure that your rights are protected:
• First Dial 911 – In Florida, a police report must be completed after all auto accidents involving property damage exceeding $500.00, injury, or death. We recommend that you Call 911 to report the accident and make sure to advise the 911 operator of any injuries that you sustained as a result of this accident.
• If you are physically able, we suggest you move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn off your ignition (and the ignition of other cars involved in the accident). Raise the hood (if possible) and turn on your hazard lights. Stand apart from the vehicle (in a safe location away from traffic) while calling for help to avoid injury in case the car is hit again. If other people are injured, do not attempt to move them unless they are in immediate danger.
• From our years of car accident investigation experience, we always recommend that you avoid admitting fault or discussing fault with other parties involved in the car crash. It is best to avoid confrontation and cooperate fully with the police. While this is an emotional time, try and state the facts, ask that the officer document your injuries as well as any witnesses.
• Our Florida private investigators recommend that you exchange information with all parties involved in the collision (again, avoid discussions of fault). Make sure to write down the tag number, registration numbers, driver’s license info, and insurance information. If possible take pictures of the cars, location of the accident. If a camera is not available, take note of exactly where the accident occurred so that our detectives can help with your accident reconstruction.
• We recommend that you check for witnesses to the auto accident – if there are witnesses obtain their contact information (including work and home phone numbers). Ask the officer that responded to note them in the report. Always be kind to the officer.
• If you are experiencing any pain, seek medical attention immediately (even if you feel the injury is minor). If you have any questions about medical intervention, feel free to contact us.
• Make sure to photograph your vehicle (before repairs are completed) and injuries sustained from the crash. If you have a cell phone camera available, you may want to photograph the crash scene and vehicles involved in the collision. As well as any signs or trees that may have contributed to the accident.
Above all, protect your rights. You are not required to give any statements to the other party's (defendants) insurance company. While you should cooperate with your own insurance company, you may want to consider consulting one of the auto accident investigators or we can recommend one of the attorneys that have assisted our clients over the years before giving a statement.
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How can a Car Accident Private Investigator Help?
Anyone who has been involved in a minor auto accident knows that you can sometimes resolve these types of claims without the assistance of an investigator or attorney; however, when serious injury or property damage is involved, victims of Florida auto accidents can benefit greatly from the assistance of the car accident private investigator. Our Florida private investigators have investigated thousands of car accidents and we can assist with your claim. Call us today to discuss how we can help you.
The reality is that car accident claims are anything but simple to resolve. Our Florida auto accident investigators understand the rules of the road, and we employ experts who are capable of reconstructing accident scenes to discover the true causes of collisions. We are familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying out claims, and we fight aggressively for victims to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. If you have been involved in an auto accident, having one of our knowledgeable Florida car accident investigators securing your interests can be the difference between receiving a small settlement or the substantial sum you deserve. It is our goal on every Florida car accident, Florida motorcycle accident, Florida bicycle accident, Florida trip and fall, Florida slip and fall, Florida scooter accident, etc.. to help you to obtain the tort feasor’s policy limits and any uninsured or underinsured motorist limits if possible.
If you or someone you love has recently been involved in an auto accident, our car accident investigators in Hollywood and throughout Florida can evaluate your claim and help you move forward with your case. Please visit our car accident section of our web page (www.ctkinvestigations.com) to view answers to common questions about auto accidents and find out what do to following a collision. If you would like to speak directly with one of our Florida auto accident investigators or you would like to hear about some of the attorneys that have represented some of our clients throughout the years, contact the offices of Cory T. Knight at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC.
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Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law
I can tell you that I hear the following on a daily basis, "I have full coverage." Yet our years of experience have proven that if we were generous one out of fifty callers to our private investigation agency actually do have FULL COVERAGE. Full coverage would include the following: PIP, BI, UM, Med-Pay, Umbrella, and Stacking Coverage. If you doubt this, feel free to contact your insurance company and request a copy of your "dec" (declaration) page. In the state of Florida, especially the active city of Hollywood, Florida car accidents occur every day and accident victims, particularly those who do not have uninsured motorist coverage, may need a Private Investigator to help them properly investigate their accident in order to maximize your chances of receiving compensation to pay their medical bills. Uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most important types of insurance you can have, especially in Florida, where it will protect you in the event of a hit and run accident, as well as a traffic collision involving an underinsured motorist. However, for those who do not have uninsured motorist coverage and are injured in a car accident in South Florida, having Ft. Lauderdale car accident Private Investigator Cory T. Knight and our entire investigation agency may be in your best interest.
In an attempt to reduce the number of lawsuits filed each year, Florida implemented a no-fault insurance law. This law requires motorists to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, as well as $10,000 in property damage liability. With PIP insurance, a motorist injured in a car accident will not have to hire a Florida injury lawyer or Private Investigator to retrieve money for medical expenses or disability. Instead, a motorist injured in an auto accident in Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, or other areas of Florida will be reimbursed by their own insurance company for medical bills, disability, or death expenses related to the accident, regardless of who was at fault. While the number of auto accident lawsuits filed in Florida is reduced through the no-fault law, an individual may still file a lawsuit against a negligent driver. We understand that while you were not at fault in the accident your own insurance company should be responsible for paying the first $10,000.00 of related expenses but that is the law. That is where the term No-Fault was derived.
While motorists in Florida are required to carry PIP and property damage liability to cover themselves and any property that is harmed in the event of an accident, they are not required to carry bodily injury liability insurance to cover the injuries of the other drivers involved. Over 50 percent of drivers are underinsured when it comes to covering the injuries of another driver involved in an accident. This is typically not a problem since most drivers have PIP insurance to cover their own injuries. However, motorcyclists and individuals visiting Florida, who are not required to have PIP coverage, are at risk.
Motorcyclists involved in an accident with a driver carrying PIP coverage are automatically eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, whether or not they sustained a permanent injury, whereas motorists must prove that their injuries are permanent. However, motorcyclists are not able to receive compensation for medical bills or disability unless the driver involved was carrying bodily injury insurance. For this reason, it is especially important for motorcyclists and those traveling through the state of Florida to carry what is called uninsured motorist coverage. Please feel free to contact your personal injury Private Investigator Cory T. Knight at (954) 652-0733. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to answer your personal injury related questions. If you prefer you can click here to contact us via e-mail. We also may be able to recommend you to a Florida auto accident attorney that has successfully represented many of our clients in the past.
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Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most important types of auto insurance you can buy, as it will allow you to receive compensation for the medical and disability expenses of both you and the passengers riding in your vehicle when the car accident occurs. This way, you are guaranteed coverage whether the driver of the other vehicle is insured or not.
If you own one or more vehicles, Ft. Lauderdale car accident Private Investigator Cory T. Knight recommends that you invest in stackable insurance, which will allow you to provide uninsured motorist coverage for all your vehicles. For example, if your coverage for one vehicle covers $25,000 and you have stackable insurance that covers three vehicles, then you should have $75,000 in uninsured motorist coverage under which to make a claim. Considering how many Florida drivers are uninsured, it is likely that if you are involved in an accident the uninsured motorist coverage can easily pay for itself.
Uninsured motorist coverage can also protect you in Florida if you are the unfortunate victim of a hit and run accident. If a driver hits you or your vehicle, but does not stop to exchange information, this is called a hit and run. Without proper insurance coverage, a hit and run accident can cost you money out of your own pocket to pay for any medical expenses and repair property damage. For more information on uninsured motorist coverage and how it can help you in the event of a car accident, speak with a Private Investigator in Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Miami-Dade, South Florida, Orlando or the Central Florida area today.
For more information regarding auto insurance options for Florida residents, or for a review of your Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Florida Keys hit and run or car accident claim, contact a Private Investigator at the Florida private investigation agency of CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC today for your FREE consultation, or you can call us today at (954)652-0733.
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Bicycle Accidents
Our Florida private investigators at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC have investigated more bicycle accidents than we can count. In reality, I guess we could count the number, but the main point is we have years of experience investigating bicycle related accidents. In Florida, bicycling accidents cause many fatalities and personal injuries each year. Unfortunately many bicycle accidents are completely preventable, as they are usually caused by the negligence of motorists or by defective bicycles and products. If you are a pedestrian or cyclist who has survived a bicycle accident or if you've lost a loved one to a bicycle accident, the south Florida private investigation agency of CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC can help. We have successfully assisted many clients who have suffered due to the negligence of another person. Our Florida private investigators have worked in conjunction with your south Florida bicycle accident attorney to obtain the best medical care and support needed to reconstruct your lives after the trauma of a bicycle or pedestrian accident.
It is clear that bicycle collisions and bicycle accidents can cause severe injuries. You do not need to be a physicist or accident reconstruction expert to realize that a six thousand pound vehicle would cause potentially fatal injuries to a bicycle that may weight three to five pounds. Common injuries such as neck and head injuries are very common, and many bicyclists suffer brain damage and closed head trauma, after a serious bicycle accident. Spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, broken limbs, and even permanent injuries are not uncommon with bicycle accidents. Due to the severity of injuries as well as the lack of protection, cyclists involved in accidents often miss considerable amounts of work while they are recovering. These injuries may require reconstructive surgery or lengthy and expensive medical treatment. Not all insurance companies are willing to pay a bicyclist without a hassle. You probably hear this on every attorney commercial, but it is true…many insurance companies hire attorneys of their own to protect their interests, why should you not do everything possible to protect your interests. We have assisted bicyclists with accident reconstruction, as well as worked in conjunction with your Florida personal injury attorney to investigate the accident represent your interests so that you can get the best medical treatment and the best support possible.
A bicyclist or pedestrian who has been injured in an accident may be entitled to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits up to $10,000 from the vehicle that injured them or from any vehicle owned in their household. In order to get the full Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits you may be entitled to, it is important to speak to qualified South Florida Private Investigator. The investigators at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC -- who have experience dealing with bicycle injury cases.
Our qualified Florida Private Investigators can help you understand your rights and can help you decide from the many options available to you. Our Florida private investigators can investigate your case, evaluate your situation, and work with you and your family and any insurance companies to make sure that you get the help you need quickly. With Cory T. Knight and our Florida private investigators by your side, you may be able to enjoy better medical care and additional assistance that you may need to get back on your feet.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, or if you've lost someone due to bicycling accident, contact The South Florida Private Investigators at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC or call us at (954) 652-0733 to set up a FREE consultation. There is no obligation for this complimentary consultation, and we can easily meet in your office, hospital room, or home to discuss your case.
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Boating Accidents
According to the United States Coast Guard, there were 4967 recreational boat accidents in 2006, 710 fatalities resulting from boating accidents, and 3,474 injuries coupled with $43,670,424.00 in property damage. While we live in sunny south Florida, many of us enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, jet skiing, water skiing, not to mention the privately owned vessels, commercial boats, and other watercraft that are utilized for work. Unfortunately boating accidents can make excursions out to canals, lakes or oceans deadly. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident or if you have lost a loved one in a boating collision, contact CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC today. We are your South Florida Boating Accident private investigators. We have successfully assisted boating accident survivors and victims' families and have helped them get the assistance and the help they needed in order to recover from the accident. Moreover, we work in conjunction with your Florida boat accident attorney.
Statically speaking, the vast majority of boating accidents are entirely preventable. Many collisions and accidents involving personal watercraft and other vessels are caused by inadequate training, negligence, equipment failure, intoxication, or weather and water conditions. The inexperience or the errors of the person operating the vessel also cause collisions. Under Florida law, boating operators and boat owners must display a great deal of responsibility and care in order to insure that swimmers, divers, other boats, boat passengers, and others are not injured killed or hurt. A traumatic brain injury can disrupt functioning of the brain and can cause anything from a mild concussion to permanent injury, coma, and even fatalities. According to the Brain Injury Association of America: The National Stroke Association: year in the U. S., roughly 1.4 million people sustain a TBI. One million people are treated and released annually from hospital emergency rooms after sustaining a brain injury. Brain injury claims more than 50,000 lives and leaves more than 80,000 individuals with livelong disabilities each year. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are at least 5.3 million Americans living with a disability as a result of brain injury. Unfortunately many traumatic brain injuries and closed head traumas often occur from trip and fall accidents, slip and fall accidents, automobile accidents, firearm related injuries, boating accidents, and other traumatic injuries. It is not just the victims of brain injury that suffer; the families that provide round the clock support suffer as well. In many cases, these injuries require them to hire caregivers, undergo extensive medical testing and treatments, undergo modifications to your home, and miss significant amount of time from work. The qualified Florida private investigators at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC have assisted and worked with many clients who have suffered brain injuries. Our experienced in investigating and dealing with South Florida brain injury attorneys have helped people obtain the medical treatment and the assistance they needed to rebuild their lives after serious brain injury.
If you have been injured or if you lost a loved one due to boating collision or an accident, call our experienced and qualified South Florida private investigator today. Our Florida personal injury investigators are able to assist your South Florida personal injury lawyers with your case. We can help you understand your options can discuss your specific case, so that you know what to expect. The South Florida personal injury lawyers that we have worked with on boating accidents can provide you with legal advice. We can also work with insurance companies and others who were involved in your particular situation. Our Florida private detectives can obtain witness statements, and affidavits to protect your interests. Our investigators are here to ensure that you get excellent care and medical attention quickly and effectively. Call us today to see if we can assist you with your south Florida boating accident, Florida jet ski accident, Florida fishing accident, Jones Act, or Longshoreman case.
The Florida private detectives at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC have extensive experience in handling boating accident / injury cases. Our investigators have worked in conjunction with many Florida personal injury lawyers to protect your rights. If you have been injured, suffered fractures, closed head injuries, sprain / strains or a lost loved one in a boating collision, CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC may also be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. With correct private investigation and legal assistance, you may be able to get coverage with paying for your medical bills, paying for the damage or replacement of your boat, and paying for any pain and suffering you have sustained as a result of your accident, not to mention lost wages.
If you wish, we may be able to provide you with some names of Florida Personal Injury Lawyers that have handled numerous boating related cases. These attorneys will work on a contingency basis, which means that you do not pay unless and until they either win your case or settle out of court. If you were injured on a vessel while at work, do not hesitate to contact us. As always, we offer a FREE, no obligation consultation so that you can ask any questions and get a real advice upfront. Please feel free to contact Cory T. Knight or one of our South Florida private investigators at (954) 652-0733 to discuss your investigative needs. If you prefer, you can contact CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC via e-mail by clicking here.
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Brain Injury
The national institute of neurological disorders and stroke, explains that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to a blow or a jolt to the head. A traumatic brain injury can disrupt functioning of the brain and can cause anything from a mild concussion to permanent injury, coma, and even fatalities. According to the Brain Injury Association of America: The National Stroke Association: year in the U. S., roughly 1.4 million people sustain a TBI. One million people are treated and released annually from hospital emergency rooms after sustaining a brain injury. Brain injury claims more than 50,000 lives and leaves more than 80,000 individuals with livelong disabilities each year. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are at least 5.3 million Americans living with a disability as a result of brain injury. Unfortunately many traumatic brain injuries and closed head traumas often occur from trip and fall accidents, slip and fall accidents, automobile accidents, firearm related injuries, boating accidents, and other traumatic injuries. It is not just the victims of brain injury that suffer; the families that provide round the clock support suffer as well. In many cases, these injuries require them to hire caregivers, undergo extensive medical testing and treatments, undergo modifications to your home, and miss significant amount of time from work. The qualified Florida private investigators at CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC have assisted and worked with many clients who have suffered brain injuries. Our experienced in investigating and dealing with South Florida brain injury attorneys have helped people obtain the medical treatment and the assistance they needed to rebuild their lives after serious brain injury.
Because of our extensive experience, CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC understands how traumatic TBI can be, both to the victim and to the family. We also understand how important it is to get help quickly from a qualified south Florida TBI lawyer. We may be able to let you know which South Florida personal injury attorneys have successfully worked on many TBI cases. Is important to get immediate assistance and guidance so that your medical bills can be paid and lost income can potentially be recouped. If you have suffered from a closed head injury, brain injury or have a loved one who has sustained a TBI, feel free to contact our office so that we can discuss your situation. We work with attorneys that may be able to help ensure that insurance companies will continue to pay for any future medical treatments, home modifications, and any other durable medical equipment necessary in order to help the injury heal as much as possible. Our Florida private investigators will comprehensively evaluate your case, help you understand all your options, and work hard to ensure that you get the maximum amount of assistance as quickly as possible.
The brutal reality is that in many cases, brain injuries can change lives forever. However, with the right Florida private investigator, and with the assistance of a qualified Florida personal injury lawyer, you may be able to get the help you need to rebuild your life. CTK INVESTIGATION, LLC has the closed head injury, TBI, and brain injury experience you need to get you the help you or your family deserve.
Our Florida Private Investigators can meet in your home, hospital room, or office to discuss your particular case. Our FREE consultation comes with no obligation whatsoever, this is simply a chance for you to ask questions and get the information you need to make an informed decision. Keep in mind, too, that the attorneys we work with work on a contingency fee basis. They are willing to defer fees until you reach an out-of-court settlement or win your case.
Please feel free to contact Cory T. Knight or one of our South Florida private investigators at (954) 652-0733 to discuss your investigative needs. If you prefer, you can contact CTK INVESTIGATIONS, LLC via e-mail by clicking here.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Florida Automobile Insurance
Florida Automobile Insurance
Our Florida private investigators get questions every day from clients about their auto insurance. Even if you haven’t been in an accident, it helps to understand the general language of Florida auto insurance. Below are descriptions of the various types of coverage in the state of Florida. If you are in an accident, the type of coverage you and the other party carry can often determine what type of settlement beyond medical expenses and lost wages you may be able to receive.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage (mandatory)
Florida is a "No Fault" State, which means that regardless of who is at fault in an accident, you must go to your own auto insurance to pay your medical bills. This insurance is referred to as PIP or Personal Injury Protection coverage; this coverage is mandatory for all automobile owners in Florida. PIP coverage provides for payment of 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000.00. Because of this limit, many people purchase additional extended PIP coverage or Medical Payments Coverage. If you were not at fault in the accident, you may also claim against the person who was at fault for the balance of your medical bills as well as money or compensatory damages. However, your medical bills will still be paid at 80% by your own PIP carrier. PIP covers you, your spouse, relatives living with you at the time of the accident who do not own a motor vehicle, and drivers/passengers of your vehicle who do not own a motor vehicle nor live with a relative who owns a vehicle.
Property Damage Liability Coverage (mandatory)
This coverage pays the other party's property damage in the event you are at fault in an accident. If you were not at fault in the accident, it does not apply. Property Damage Liability Coverage and PIP are the only two types of coverage which are mandatory in the State of Florida.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
This coverage applies only in the event that you are at fault in an accident. Bodily Injury Liability Coverage will pay money or compensatory damages to a claimant, if he/she meets certain requirements under Florida's No Fault Law, up to the limit of your coverage. Your insurance company will also pay your legal fees. While most states have statutes requiring motorists to have at least some Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, Florida does not require this type of coverage.
Medical Payments Coverage
MEDPAY coverage provides payment of the other 20% of your medical bills not covered by Personal Injury Protection coverage.
Collision Coverage
If you are at fault in an accident, or the at-fault party has no insurance coverage, collision coverage may be the only source of payment for damage to your vehicle.
Uninsured-Underinsured Motorist Protection
If the at fault party does not carry Bodily Injury Liability insurance, this coverage is crucial. Instead of making a claim for money damages to the at-fault party, the claim is made to your own insurance company and treated as if you were proceeding against the other party.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents:
Q: Can I recover even if the accident was my fault?
A: Whether you can recover if the accident was your fault depends on the laws of your state. Some states do not consider fault with regards to some damages, and in those states some of your economic losses may be paid by your own no-fault policy. Other states consider fault, but you may still be able to recover for your injuries, even if the accident was partially your fault. However, in that case, you may be required to prove that the other party's fault was greater than yours, or to reduce the amount of your compensation by your percentage of fault.
Q: Who can I sue to recover my damages?
A: In some cases, an accident victim may be able to sue parties other than the at-fault driver. For example, if the at-fault driver did not own the car, the car's owner may also be liable for your damages. If the at-fault driver was impaired from consuming too much alcohol, you may be able to bring a "dram shop" complaint against a business that served alcohol to the driver even though he was visibly impaired. In some cases, you may be able to bring an action against another party, such as an automobile manufacturer or construction company, if a defect in the vehicle or the roadway caused the accident. If the accident involved a tractor-trailer, the driver's violation of rules and regulations may be the basis for a lawsuit against the driver or his or her employer.
Q: What is my case worth?
A: The value of a case depends on a variety of factors and cannot be determined without analyzing information regarding the injury, medical bills, loss of income, and permanency of the injury. There is no rule of thumb, and each set of facts results in a different amount of damages.
Q: Will I have to go to court?
A: Not necessarily. Many motor vehicle accident cases are concluded without even filing a lawsuit. Most lawsuits are settled without an actual trial. A settlement avoids the costs and delay of a trial and may result in a greater net recovery. However, if the case cannot be settled on satisfactory terms, it may be necessary to go to trial.
Q: Where will the money come from to compensate me?
A: The at-fault party's insurance typically pays for your damages in many states. If you are in a no-fault state, your own insurance may pay for some of your damages. If the at-fault party is not adequately insured, your own insurance policy may include coverage that will compensate you for your injuries.
Q: How long will it take me to receive my money?
A: The length of time necessary to conclude your automobile accident injury case depends upon a number of factors. For example, if you suffer a serious injury, you will not want to settle your claim until you have received sufficient medical care so that either your physician has released you or your future medical expenses related to the accident can be determined with reasonable certainty. Therefore, the amount of time you need to heal may determine the length of time necessary to conclude your claim. The amount of time before you recover also depends on whether your case is settled or goes to trial.
Q: What should I do if I can't afford an attorney?
A: Many law firms will agree to pursue a personal injury claim for a contingent fee, which means that the law firm's fee is subtracted from any amount that the firm collects for you. If no amount is recovered, then the firm receives no fee, but the client is typically responsible for actual expenses, such as court filing fees or witness fees, whether he or she wins or loses.
Q: Do I have to see a doctor?
A: If you are injured in an automobile accident, you should seek medical attention. Whether or not you have a claim, you should be examined by a doctor, both for your own peace of mind and to document the injury to support your claim. Frequently, an automobile accident injury will not be immediately apparent. Whenever symptoms first appear, go to your family doctor, a hospital emergency room, or another medical professional to obtain medical help.
Q: How soon must I bring my claim?
A: Each state sets a time limitation for bringing a personal injury claim. Both the length of that period and the way it is measured in motor vehicle accident cases varies from state to state. Even within a state, the time period may vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, such as the plaintiff's age, the type of personal injury claim, the particular facts giving rise to the injury, and when the injury is discovered. You must be absolutely certain that you know the time limitation period that applies to you, or you risk jeopardizing your legal rights.
Q: Should I accept a check from the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company?
A: Accepting a check may be construed as a settlement that prohibits you from obtaining any additional amounts from the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company. Therefore, you should not accept a check or sign a release from the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company until after you have conferred with an attorney. Typically, an attorney will encourage you to wait to accept a check until you have completed your medical treatment and have been released by a doctor, so you know you have received an amount that adequately covers your medical bills and other damages. An insurance adjuster may push you to settle the claim for the lowest possible amount and may discourage you from contacting an Florida personal injury attorney. If so, you should ignore his or her advice, and consult an qualified personal injury attorney immediately before accepting any payment, signing any release, or otherwise settling your claim to insure that you are receiving fair compensation and not jeopardizing your right to a full and fair recovery.
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