Established And Successful Auto Accident Lawyers

Question: What damages can I claim after a car accident in Florida or Georgia?

Answer: Florida and Georgia have different laws regarding the type of damages you can claim following an auto accident. Georgia’s comparative negligence laws apportion responsibility to each party involved in an accident. If an auto accident victim in Georgia is found more than 50% at fault – for example, 51% – that driver is barred from making any claim against the other driver. There is no PIP coverage required for Georgia residents, but Georgia drivers can purchase coverage for medical expenses resulting from auto accidents on a voluntary basis.

Florida’s auto insurance laws currently require drivers to carry what’s known as personal injury protection (PIP) insurance that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and some incidentals, up to the limits stated in the policy. That is, each driver has an insurance policy that covers those expenses, as opposed to making a claim on the other driver’s policy. However, Florida law still allows a lawsuit to be filed if the limits of the PIP coverage are not sufficient to recover full costs. Unless vetoed by Governor DeSantis, Senate Bill 54 will do away with PIP coverage effective January 1, 2022.

Question: How long do I have to file an auto accident claim in Florida or Georgia?

Answer: The statute of limitations are different in Florida and Georgia. As far as your insurance company goes, they want to know about the car accident as soon as you’re able to contact them. In Florida, drivers can be denied full PIP benefits if the injured party isn’t seen and treated by a licensed doctor or medical professional within two weeks (14 days) from the date of injury.  Most Georgia insurance policies require prompt notice of a claim and in some cases, coverage can be denied if the insurance provider isn’t notified of the accident within 30 days. Additionally, in Georgia, minors under the age of 18 involved in an accident can file a claim at any time before they reach the age of 20. In both Florida and Georgia, retaining a car accident attorney quickly is essential, not only to make sure the other party in the accident is held responsible for the damage caused, but also so that your claim is made timely, and your medical needs are taken care of. In some cases, a knowledgeable attorney can uncover additional insurance coverage that the injured person would never have known where or how to look for.

Question: Should I accept a settlement offer from the insurance company?

Answer: Under no circumstance, should you ever accept the initial settlement offer from an insurance company without the advice of an experienced auto accident lawyer. The insurance company typically will not offer you an amount that is fair for your current and future damages and the settlement agreement will require that you sign away your right to claim or sue for any further compensation. You should leave all communication with the insurance company to your lawyer.