Auto accidents are the leading cause of personal injury in the United States and the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death. State and national statistics indicate that your odds of being involved in a motor vehicle accident one day are pretty good. If you are ever hurt in an auto accident, the dedicated injury attorneys at Largey Law are ready to discuss your incident and determine whether you have a valid accident claim. When you work with one of our Mount Dora car accident lawyers, you boost your chances of collecting the financial compensation you deserve.
2017 Car Accident Statistics
According to the State’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 389,688 car accidents occurred on state roadways in 2017 alone. These accidents caused 247,211 injuries and 2,737 fatalities. In Citrus County, there were 1,778 vehicle crashes, inflicting 1,382 injuries and causing 29 fatalities. Of these accidents, 118 involved commercial vehicles; 38 crashes injured pedestrians, three fatally; and 23 involved bicycles, killing one cyclist. Lake County had an even higher number of crashes: 4,703, which caused 3,612 injuries and 43 deaths. Commercial vehicle crashes in the county numbered 557, while 113 vehicle crashes injured pedestrians, six fatally. There were 48 crashes between motor vehicles and bicycles, but no cyclists were fatally injured.
All of these car accidents deserve the best representation, and this is where a dedicated attorney in Mount Dora could help. A hardworking representative could determine the cause of the crash, outline your legal rights, and help you get back on your feet.
What to Do After a Car Crash
Auto accidents are incredibly stressful, but if you can, it’s important to remain calm in the aftermath of a car wreck. The actions you take in the minutes, hours and days that follow can make a huge difference in any litigation stemming from the incident. These are the actions you should take following a car accident:
- Make sure no one is seriously injured. If everyone can be safely moved, get them to safety and contact the police. If there are serious injuries, contact emergency services.
- Get contact information from everyone involved in the accident but say nothing. Admit no guilt and no fault.
- Take pictures of the scene and all vehicles involved in the collision.
- See a medical doctor as soon after the accident as possible. Injuries suffered in traffic accidents do not always present symptoms right away. Additionally, if you do not seek treatment from a medical doctor within 14 days of your accident, your own insurance company can deny you medical coverage that you have paid for.
Also, as soon as possible after a car accident, contact an experienced Mount Dora lawyer, such as those at Largey Law. Make sure you choose your lawyer well. A skilled attorney can analyze your case and tell you how details you may not find important, such as whether your crash involved trucks, motorcycles or a texting driver, can greatly impact your case.
Insurance in Car Accident Claims
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. That means that a driver who is not at fault, and his or her passengers, are required to seek payment from their own insurance companies for medical bills and lost wages following an accident, regardless of who is at fault. The no-fault law also limits, but does not eliminate, your rights to seek damages from other parties through personal injury claims.
What happens if you do not own a car, don’t have insurance and are involved in an accident that is not your fault? It is important to contact a knowledgeable law firm who can guide you through the process of opening a claim on your behalf and find insurance coverage that is available to pay your bills while you receive the medical care you need. We are dedicated to finding insurance that protects injured people and ensuring that medical bills and lost wages are paid in a timely manner.
Florida also maintains specific laws about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Every motor vehicle liability insurance policy issued in the state must include uninsured/underinsured motorist vehicle coverage equal to its bodily injury liability coverage, unless the motorist specifically rejects that coverage. Often times, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is available to injured parties who are unaware that they are entitled to it. If uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits are available, important steps must be taken to make sure that the coverage is secured and protected for the injured party. An experienced auto accident attorney should find all insurance coverage available to their injured clients and protect their right to be compensated through those policies. Our attorneys in Mount Dora are experienced in finding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and protecting the rights of the injured parties to be compensated fairly for their injuries.
Always remember that time is not on your side. If you want to file a car accident claim in Florida, you must file a lawsuit within four years of the date of the accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist claims must be resolved within five years, or a suit must be filed within that time. We will make sure that your claim will be resolved, or a suit will be filed within the time limits allowed by law.
Speak With a Mount Dora Car Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible
Car accidents are serious matters, both medically and legally. If you or someone you love was involved motor vehicle wreck, talk to hardworking representatives at Largey Law today. Our Mount Dora car accident lawyers await your call and are ready to help you get started on your case. We can arrange a free consultation around your scheduling needs at one of our many offices. Se habla español.
