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Seeking Justice for Fort Myers Car Accident Victims
Fort Myers is a super hip city with a lot to offer! Our pristine beaches, nature preserves, museums, nightlife, and sea excursions make Fort Myers an extremely popular destination for families and adults alike.
However, Ft. Myers is also a hotbed for car accidents. Locals know the perils of driving on roads in Lee County, which had a whopping 14,336 vehicle accidents in 2021 alone.
You deserve justice if you or a loved one were injured in a car accident. Contact our Fort Myers car accident lawyers today for a free, no-obligation case review. Call us 24/7 at (239) 320-6708!
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What Should I Do Immediately After A Car Accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident, there are a few steps to take immediately afterward:
- Call 911 to get medical attention / report the incident to the Ft. Myers police
- DO NOT admit fault
- Take many photos and videos of the scene
- Collect the other party’s contact information
- Ask witnesses for their contact information
- Contact your car insurance company, but DO NOT provide a statement before talking to a Fort Myers car accident lawyer
- Get a free case review with our Ft. Myers car accident attorneys
What If the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
Unfortunately, if the other party in an accident is underinsured or completely uninsured, it can add another layer of complexity to your claim. That said, you have some legal options in this situation.
In Florida, all drivers are required to have $10,000 worth of Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This coverage allows you to pay upfront costs, such as medical bills or lost wages, after an accident. You could also file a claim through their policy’s UI/UIM coverage or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
If the other party is uninsured, the best course of action is to get a free case review from a Fort Myers car accident attorney. They will be able to walk you through local laws and educate you about your legal options.
Why Hire a Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney?
The aftermath can be overwhelming when you’ve been in a car accident. You may not know where to turn between medical bills, insurance paperwork, and other obligations piling up. This is why you should hire a car accident attorney in Fort Myers, FL.
When you hire a Fort Myers car accident lawyer, you will have someone to stand by you through every stage of the claims process. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of local laws and many connections in the community so that we can build you the strongest possible case. We will:
- Find great medical providers to care for you and document your injuries
- Negotiate medical costs
- Collect an abundance of evidence
- File all insurance, medical, and miscellaneous paperwork related to your claim
- Identify witnesses
- Procure a rental car
- Stand up to bad faith insurance companies who are hassling you
- Take your case to court, if need be
Our Ft. Myers car accident attorneys have collected millions of dollars worth of compensation for our clients. Get started with a free case review.
When Should I Contact A Car Accident Lawyer?
After an accident, you may be unsure when you should reach out to a lawyer. We recommend contacting a Fort Myers car accident lawyer immediately following an accident. The longer you wait, the more memories fade, witnesses disappear, evidence is harder to collect, and you may run out of time to pursue your case.
Also, avoid giving official statements to your insurance company until you have talked to a lawyer. This is the best way to ensure that you are treated fairly during the claims process. Otherwise, insurance may offer you a lower settlement than you deserve.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations On A Car Accident?
The statute of limitations dictates that you have a certain period to pursue your car accident claim. In Florida, the statute of limitations states that you have 4 years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. After this period, you are no longer eligible to collect compensation. This is another reason why you should contact a Fort Myers car accident attorney immediately after being in an accident.
Who Is Liable For My Injuries In A Car Accident?
Understanding who is liable in your case is crucial to get compensation. However, determining liability can be more difficult than meets the eye. Several factors help your Fort Myers car accident lawyer determine who is liable:
- Breach of duty of care. All drivers have an obligation to keep others safe on the road. Evidence of recklessness behind the wheel increases liability.
- Causation. This negligence must be the direct cause of your injuries.
- Florida’s Comparative Negligence Statute. This means that all parties may share some liability for the accident. For example, you may be partially liable if you were injured but were not wearing a seatbelt.
What Damages Can You Pursue After a Fort Myers Car Accident?
There are three main types of compensation available in a car accident case. Economic damages compensate you for financial burdens like property damages or medical costs. Non-economic damages include less tangible consequences, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, or wrongful death. You may also be entitled to punitive damages in cases of gross negligence from the other party.
What Is The Average Settlement For A Car Accident in Ft. Myers, FL?
No two car accidents are the same, and many factors affect your Fort Myers car accident settlement. That being said, the national average compensation for a car accident is about $23,900. This estimate is calculated for accidents that involve more serious injuries, so less severe accidents are generally valued less than $10,000.
To understand your compensation options, you should get a free case review with our Fort Myers car accident lawyers. Our team will be able to give you a fair estimate of what damages you are owed.
How Long Does it Take To Settle A Ft. Myers Car Accident Case?
The aftermath of a car accident can feel like a lifetime, so it’s natural for people to wonder how long their case will take to settle. Because every car accident has unique circumstances, there is no hard and fast estimate for how long it will take to finish your claim.
That being said, most Ft. Myers car accident cases can be settled in 6-18 months. Again, your case could be shorter or longer, depending on your situation. An experienced car accident lawyer in Fort Myers, FL, will understand all local laws and may be able to expedite your case. Get a free case review to learn more about your options.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After A Car Accident?
If you sustained significant injuries, you might have gone to Lee Memorial Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, or Select Specialty Hospital and dealt with hefty medical bills afterward. The party who is liable for paying your medical costs varies depending on local Ft. Myers law, the type of accident, and many other factors.
Your first line of compensation should be your insurance. Every Florida driver must have $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection insurance to help cover initial medical costs, lost paychecks, and more.
Ultimately, the liable party is responsible for paying your medical bills after a car accident. However, settling a case can take a long time, so this won’t happen immediately. Contact a Fort Myers car accident lawyer to learn about your legal options.
What Causes Most Fort Myers Car Accidents?
Common causes of car accidents in Fort Myers are similar to other locations in the U.S. This may include driver error, bad weather, or poor road conditions.
However, Fort Myers drivers have some additional challenges to contend with. With more people visiting our fair city, there are more tourists on the road, who may be driving in unfamiliar cars and road conditions. Plus, there are many senior citizens in our community, so elderly drivers contribute to the hazards on our roads.
In Ft. Myers, it’s very common to see car accidents occurring around Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Colonial Boulevard or Colonial Boulevard and Summerlin Road. These dysfunctional intersections can make driving frustrating, making road rage and accidents more prevalent.
How Do I Get A Temporary Rental Car After An Accident?
After an accident, your car may be seriously damaged or totaled. This affects your ability to do normal activities, like going to work or taking your kids to school. You may wonder who is responsible for getting you a rental car– is it your insurance? Or is it the other party’s insurance?
The answer will depend on your specific insurance policy and whether it covers a rental vehicle. This may be more difficult if you are partially liable for the accident. Hire a Fort Myers car accident attorney to understand who is responsible for rental car costs. They can read your policy, see what’s covered, and help you get a rental vehicle in a timely manner.
What If I’m In An Accident In A Rental Car?
Car accidents are already frightening but can be even more so in an unfamiliar rental car. Rental car drivers are likely driving on unfamiliar roads and looking at their navigation, causing additional distractions. Driving Colonial Boulevard is hard enough for a local but it can be even more stressful for out-of-towners.
Plus, if you are in a rental car accident, the rental company is another party to contend with during your case. After being in a rental car accident, there are some additional steps to take:
- Contact the rental car company. These companies should provide you with an emergency contact number where you can access services like towing and car repairs.
- File a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Contact the credit card company with which you rented the car, as they may provide additional insurance benefits.
- File a report with the rental car company.
What Is PIP Insurance?
Personal Injury Protection, or PIP insurance, is also known as no-fault insurance. Every Florida driver is required to have $10,000 worth of PIP insurance, which covers initial costs after a car accident. Expenses might include medical care, lost wages, or funeral costs if a loved one was lost.
Sometimes, insurance may be slow to provide you with PIP benefits. These companies are more concerned with protecting their bottom line, so they may play games with you to hold onto their money.
Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of. Farah & Farah’s Ft. Myers car accident attorneys are here to fight for you and get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Our Ft. Myers Car Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Get You Justice
It’s no secret that Ft. Myers is a hip city with a lot to offer! However, as more and more people move to the area and take advantage of the city’s attractions, road congestion is extremely prevalent. Four out of five of the U.S.’s most dangerous roads are in Florida, and rising crash rates are becoming a larger concern for Ft. Myers locals.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a car accident, you deserve justice and proper compensation. Contact our Fort Myers car accident lawyers today for a free, no-obligation case review. Call us 24/7 at (239) 320-6708!
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Fort Myers
Our Fort Myers, FL car accident lawyers handle many auto accident cases, including:
