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Even though motor vehicle safety has increased over the last several decades, automobile accidents continue to occur, causing severe physical harm and property damage to motorists, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Sometimes, these accidents arise from the negligence of other drivers on the road who fail to yield or otherwise drive safely.
When you hire a qualified The Villages car accident lawyer, you can be assured that you have someone on your side to stand up for your legal rights. Your attorney can pursue the maximum compensation available to you based on your injuries and damages while you focus on your recovery.
Compensable Damages in a Car Accident
Ideally, car accidents would never happen, but when they do, an injured individual will need help getting their life back to normal. The purpose of a civil car accident case is to provide the victim with an opportunity to seek justice in the form of monetary compensation. Although money for their damages won’t change the outcome of the accident, it could help them pay their related expenses and have a fresh start moving forward in their life. Financial recovery can ease some of their burdens.
Potential damages that an injured individual might want to seek compensation for include:
- Medical expenses
- Attorney fees and other out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
Speak to an Experienced The Villages Car Accident Attorney Before the Insurance Company
While car insurance companies should make it their mission to make claimants whole again after an accident, unfortunately, their mission is typically more about paying as little as possible on claims so that they can pocket more money. This is often evident when interacting with the claims adjuster, but you may not realize it. By speaking first to an experienced The Villages car accident lawyer, you can protect yourself from the tactics of the insurance company and the insurer. These tactics often include:
- Calling you as soon as possible after the accident to offer you a slim settlement. They want to catch you before you talk to a lawyer, realize your claim’s true value, and refuse their settlement.
- Requesting or even telling you that you must provide a recorded statement about the accident. You don’t have to provide such a statement.
- Twisting your words. Even if you refuse to provide a recorded statement, they can use what you say against you. For example, the adjuster might call and seem concerned and friendly, asking you how you are today. Suppose you respond and tell them you are fine. In that case, they could twist that to mean you really are 100 percent fine and have recovered from your injuries, when, you were being polite but are still in a lot of pain and recovering from your injuries.
- Asking you leading questions, such as “You didn’t even see the car coming, did you?” or “You’re feeling better now, right?”
You can protect yourself from all of these insurance company tricks and tactics by hiring a seasoned The Villages car accident attorney as soon as possible after your car accident. You won’t have to deal with the insurance company anymore, as your attorney will be in direct contact with them. If the need arises for them to speak with you, they can only do it with your attorney present.
Frequently Asked Questions from our Clients
Who is Liable for My Car Accident?
Several parties can potentially be liable or at fault for your car accident. In some cases, multiple parties are liable. When you hire an experienced The Villages car accident attorney, they will conduct a comprehensive investigation into your accident to determine what led up to the accident and who is at fault. Their investigation might find that one or more of the following parties should be held accountable for your damages:
- Other motorists
- Companies employing other motorists
- A car or car parts manufacturer
- A government entity
- Government contractors
Maximizing your compensation begins with holding the right parties liable. If more than one party caused your accident, your attorney can seek financial recovery from all of them to ensure full and fair compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
It’s always best to file a car accident claim as soon as possible. When you contact a The Villages car accident lawyer, they can help you file your claim right away while protecting your interest. Should it become necessary to file a lawsuit in pursuit of financial recovery, the Florida statute of limitations provides a deadline of four years from the date of your accident. If your claim is against a government entity, the deadline is three years after the accident. By securing legal help immediately after your accident, you can ensure that this crucial deadline is met. However, if you fail to meet the deadline, you give up your legal right to pursue compensation.
Claims involving minor children or an at-fault party who leaves the state typically have longer deadlines. Since the statute of limitations can vary depending on the specific details of your car accident, the best thing you can do is hire an attorney to ensure all deadlines are met.
Involved in a Car Accident? Call a Seasoned The Villages Car Accident Lawyer Today
Being involved in an injury car accident can seriously impact your life for months or even years to come. The bills, the pain, the missed time at work, and dozens of other consequences can take a physical, emotional, mental, and financial toll on your and your family members. The good news is that a seasoned The Villages car accident attorney from Mickey Keenan, PA, can help you during this difficult time. They can protect you from the insurance company’s efforts to devalue or deny your claim, ensuring you receive full and fair compensation. To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about how we can help you, call 813-871-1300 or contact us online today.