You may have never been in a car accident before. Thus, it`s understandable if you don`t know what to expect after being in a car crash in Port Richey. You may turn to your family and friends for insight. However, it`s likely that they also don`t have the whole story. You can turn to a car accident lawyer for answers to your questions. We found useful information on the website of these New Port Richey car accident attorneys to help us write this article. Keep reading to know what to expect when involved in a car accident in Port Richey.
Personal Injury Protection Covers Damages
Unlike most states, Florida is a no-fault state. That means that after a car accident, victims turn to their own insurance policy for compensation. You can recover damages from your insurer regardless of who is at fault. To facilitate this, drivers in Florida must have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.
The PIP insurance policy usually amounts to $10,000. It covers medical expenses and other damages from the accident. Drivers in Port Richey must have property damage liability insurance worth $10,000.
PIP insurance aims to reduce delays in payment to injured persons after an accident. It also helps ease pressure on the court system. Despite the benefits of PIP, the amount may not be enough to cover your losses after an accident. Thus, you can file a case against the defendant to recover compensation.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit to Recover Damages
If you reach the limits of your PIP insurance, you can file a suit to recover damages. You file the suit against the negligent party that caused your accident. A lawyer can help you with the entire legal process.
If you have to file a lawsuit, keep in mind the statute of limitations. It`s a timeline within which you have to bring your suit. If you delay and the deadline passes, you risk losing out on compensation. The statute of limitations for car accident cases in Florida is four years.
Proving Liability for the Car Accident
In 2021, there were 401,537 motor vehicle crashes in Florida. Of these, 8155 occurred in Pasco County. These statistics show how dangerous the roads in Florida are. Accidents on these roads can lead to severe injuries and fatalities. PIP insurance may not be able to cover your losses fully, and you may have to file a suit.
You must prove the defendant`s liability to recover compensation through a suit. Proving liability means showing that the other party acted recklessly, causing the crash.
Building a Strong Case To Recover Compensation
Solid evidence can help you prove the other party`s liability. A lawyer can investigate your car accident case in Port Richey to collect proof. Investigations may include interviewing witnesses and reviewing the police accident report.
Other things that may happen during investigations include:
- Reviewing medical records
- Getting the opinion of experts (medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, etc.)
- Evaluating photos of the accident
- Finding and reviewing traffic footage of the crash
Dealing With the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are profit-making businesses. Paying huge sums of money in claims is bad for their bottom line. So, an insurance company may try to pay you less in compensation. That`s true whether it`s your insurance company or the defendant`s.
Accepting a low-ball settlement is detrimental in the long term. If you discover additional losses, you can`t sue for more money. You`ll have to bear the costs alone. A lawyer can evaluate a settlement offer by the insurance company to determine if it`s too low.
Final Say
Car accidents can leave you with injuries that don’t heal or take years. Luckily, you can recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Knowing what to expect after the crash can help you safeguard your right to compensation. Hopefully, you are now aware of what happens after a car crash in Port Richey.