Car accidents occur far too often on Florida roads. Specifically, it is reported that one occurs every 92 seconds. If you have been injured in a car accident and require compensation, continue reading to learn where you fall under Florida’s comparative negligence laws and how an experienced Broward County car accident lawyer can help you fight for your claim.
How does car insurance work in the state of Florida?
The state of Florida follows a no-fault car insurance system. This means that drivers are required to have personal injury protection, which covers you and certain others, and Property Damage Liability insurance, which covers damage to the other party’s vehicle, in the event of a car accident. In other words, no-fault car insurance will cover certain car accident damages regardless of whether or not they were at fault for the crash.
This type of insurance will compensate you for your medical bills and lost wages. However, since you are only required to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage, you may use up this coverage quickly if your injuries are severe. If you still have outstanding payments, it is essential to reach out to a skilled Broward County personal injury attorney to help you file a claim and collect the additional compensation you require.
How does comparative negligence work under Florida law?
The comparative negligence laws in Florida hold each party liable for the role they played in the accident. Notably, you can still obtain compensation for your injuries from the other party’s insurance company even if you were partly to blame for the accident, so long as you were not solely liable. However, the amount of compensation you will receive will be reduced to account for your role in the accident.
For example, if the jury awards $100,000 in damages, but finds you were 20% responsible for the accident, you’re entitled to 80%, i.e. $80,000. Contrastingly, if you were found to be primarily responsible, at 80%, you are still entitled to 20% of the damages, but you will be responsible for 80% of the other driver’s damages.
What is the statute of limitations?
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in the state of Florida is generally four years from the date of your accident.
Contact Our Experienced Broward County Firm
If you require legal representation for matters of personal injury, family law, criminal defense, commercial litigation, or aviation litigation, look no further than The Finizio Law Group. Our firm has decades of combined experience representing clients from all walks of life, and we are here to put those years of experience to work for you as well. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with our team and to learn more about our services and how we can assist you.
