Car Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach

Helping Auto Accident Victims Recover Compensation for Personal Injury Claims

Most car accident victims never imagine they will be injured in a crash. However, with the dramatic growth in population and traffic in Palm Beach County, there is an increased risk of being injured in a traffic accident.

Car accident victims frequently suffer serious injuries that leave them unable to work and have to deal with significant medical expenses that can be challenging to pay. Injured victims often find the claims process confusing to try and navigate independently. Finally, the insurance company may also try to delay, deny, or undervalue claims, which can quickly create a financial crisis for families.

For these reasons, it is always best for injured victims to hire experienced car accident attorneys to assist them through the claims process and advise them of their legal rights.

Our Palm Beach car accident lawyers will fight to help you or your loved one obtain the maximum compensation you deserve after being injured by another person’s negligence.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact GONZ.LAW GROUP of West Palm Beach, FL, to schedule a free case evaluation to determine your available legal options.

Why Do Most Car Accidents Occur in West Palm Beach?

Car accidents in West Palm Beach may occur for any number of reasons. However, there are several factors in Palm Beach County accident reports that are more commonly cited than others, including:

• Speeding/reckless driving
• Drunk driving
• Driving under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs.
• Driving while fatigued.
• Adverse weather conditions
• Failure to obey traffic laws or heed road signs.
• Lack of proper vehicle maintenance could lead to brake failure or driving on worn-out tires.

However, one of the most common reasons traffic accidents occur in West Palm Beach is distracted driving. Distracted driving often results in rear-end collisions or T-bone accidents. Most people mistakenly believe distracted driving only occurs when motorists talk or text on their cell phones. However, often, drivers are distracted by passengers in the car or their GPS or entertainment system, which can lead to severe auto accidents.

Regardless of what may have led up to your auto accident, you must hire a car accident lawyer who can provide you with skilled legal representation to help you seek compensation and protect your rights.

Contact GONZ.LAW GROUP of West Palm Beach and ask to schedule a meeting with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

What are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Palm Beach Car Accidents?

Palm Beach car accidents can result in various types of injuries, some more severe than others. One of the most crucial aspects of any personal injury claim involves the severity of the victim’s injuries caused by another person’s negligence.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Some of the most common injuries sustained in Palm Beach car accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Arm and leg injuries.
• Chest and back injuries.
• Burns
• Concussions
• Bruising
• Airbag injuries
• Head and neck injuries, including whiplash and soft tissue injuries.

Catastrophic Injuries

Sadly, even minor car accidents often result in victims suffering catastrophic injuries. A catastrophic injury is a permanent impairment that requires lifelong care and special accommodations or severely impacts the victim’s quality of life. In most instances, catastrophic injuries typically require skilled nursing care, which can be cost-prohibitive for victims and their families.

Catastrophic injuries that often result from car accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Loss of limbs.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Spinal cord injuries.

Regardless of the types of injuries you or a loved one may have suffered due to a car accident, you may be entitled to try and recover compensation. GONZ.LAW GROUP has a proven record of recovering compensation for car accident victims and will work tirelessly to help you get the justice and fair settlement you deserve.

What Should I Do if I Have Been Involved in a West Palm Beach Car Accident?

When motorists or their passengers have been injured in traffic accidents, they are often unaware of the steps they must take to safeguard their health and protect their ability to file accident claims.

Nevertheless, if you have been involved in a Palm Beach County traffic accident, there are several steps you must take, which include:

• If possible, and depending on the circumstances involved in the accident, move all vehicles safely to the side of the road so as not to impede traffic.
• Do not leave the accident scene.
• Check on all other drivers and passengers involved in the accident to determine if they have been injured.
• Call law enforcement to report the accident. If there are injured victims, be sure to request medical assistance immediately.
• Gather important information such as the name of the other driver’s insurance company, license plate number, and contact information.
• Document the accident scene by taking plenty of photos and videos of the damage to both vehicles and other relevant details, such as lighting and road conditions, skid marks, and any other information that may be useful.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not believe you have suffered any injuries. Often, car accident injuries may not manifest themselves immediately and, if left untreated, could lead to severe complications.
• Be sure to request a copy of the accident report from the police officer who investigates the accident and medical documentation given to you by the hospital should you choose to file a car accident claim.
• Do not speak with the other party’s insurance adjuster. Often, an insurance adjuster will try to coax accident victims into giving recorded statements. However, insurance providers have a legal right to use your own words against you to try and deny your claim.
• Finally, contact an experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer to assist you with your legal needs.

GONZ.LAW GROUP is a law firm dedicated to helping injury victims file accident claims to help them try to recover compensation for damages. Contact our law office and ask to schedule a consultation with a highly trained personal injury lawyer who will thoroughly review your case.

How Do Car Accident Victims Recover Compensation?

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that state law requires all motorists to carry personal injury protection coverage, also called PIP insurance. Florida’s no-fault law also places restrictions on when car accident victims may seek compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.

Under Florida law, drivers must turn to their own insurance company and PIP insurance coverage to pay for medical expenses and other accident-related damages, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

Personal Injury Protection Insurance

State law only requires drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP insurance coverage for medical expenses and property damage. PIP coverage includes 60% of lost wages and 80% of medical expenses, both capped at $10,000.

Unfortunately, many auto accidents result in expensive repairs or medical bills that far exceed a driver’s PIP coverage.

Lack of sufficient coverage can leave motorists scrambling to figure out how to pay for repairs or medical expenses related to the accident.

Additionally, PIP coverage does not cover losses related to pain and suffering or other non-economic damages.

The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company

Florida law does allow motorists to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for costs that exceed their $10,000 PIP coverage limit. Unlike with PIP coverage, car accident victims may be able to recover non-economic damages from the other driver’s insurance provider.

Even though state law allows accident victims to seek compensation from the other party’s insurance company, they may find it challenging as insurers are concerned about their bottom line. Sadly, many insurers often try to delay, deny, or undervalue claims to avoid large payouts on claims.

Under/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Another option for Florida drivers is to turn to other insurance coverages they may have purchased. Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist protection is commonly referred to as UM coverage. UM coverage is valuable as it will pay for your injuries if the at-fault party does not have car insurance or carries enough liability insurance.

Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident must hire a car accident lawyer who can explain how auto insurance works in Florida and what you can do to try and recover fair compensation for injuries and property damage. Accident victims should never try to file a claim without first obtaining advice from a qualified legal representative who will work to protect their rights.

Contact our Palm Beach car accident lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation so that we may determine what legal strategies may be an option for your case.

How Much Compensation Can Accident Victims Recover for Their Injuries?

One of the most frequent questions that car accident victims ask their attorneys is how much compensation they may be able to recover in an average settlement. It should be stated that the unique facts and circumstances of the case will directly affect how much compensation the victim may obtain.

Florida law allows individuals who have been injured in car accidents the right to pursue economic and non-economic damages, also called compensatory damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded to reimburse accident victims for the out-of-pocket expenses they were forced to pay due to injury. Economic damages may also be awarded to pay for future expenses. For example, suppose a car accident victim sustained a catastrophic injury such as a spinal cord. In that case, they may need compensation to modify their home or vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair or other necessary medical equipment.

Some other examples of economic damages include:

• Medical bills, including compensation for physical therapy or rehabilitation services, doctor or testing co-pays, and the cost of prescription drugs.
• Lost wages to victims suffered due to their inability to work after being injured.
• Loss of earning potential if the victim is no longer able to return to the type of employment they enjoyed before being injured.
• Property damage to cover the costs of repairing or replacing a vehicle.

Non Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are designed to try and make an accident victim “whole” again after being injured. Because non-economic damages are highly subjective, hiring a car accident attorney to assess the case and determine what non-economic damages are appropriate is always wise.

Frequently awarded non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering to compensate the victim for the hardship they have endured due to injury.
• Loss of enjoyment of life for victims who are no longer able to enjoy the same activities they once participated in.
• Emotional distress due to trauma the victim was forced to deal with.
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring if the victim has suffered injuries that affect their appearance.

It should also be noted that if an individual suffers a permanent disability such as an amputation or severe burns may be able to recover more compensation than someone who suffered broken bones.

To learn more about economic and non-economic damages, contact GONZ LAW GROUP of West Palm Beach immediately to schedule a consultation so that we may answer your questions. Our car accident lawyers have extensive experience and can help you understand what damages may suit your needs.

Can Palm Beach Car Accident Victims Recover Punitive Damages?

Unlike compensatory damages designed to reimburse accident victims for economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer. Punitive damages are also intended to warn others not to repeat the same behavior.

However, for an accident victim to recover punitive damages, the defendant must be found guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. For example, suppose the at-fault driver was driving while intoxicated during the time of the crash. Driving while intoxicated could be ruled to be gross negligence and opening the door to the possibility of punitive damages.

Under state law, there are specific rules that apply to punitive damages, which include:

• Punitive damages may not exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to the injured party or
• Not to exceed the sum of $500,000.

Additionally, just as with compensatory damages, individuals who have suffered more significant harm, such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, will typically be able to recover more money than those who have suffered fewer injuries.

However, victims must have lawyers with extensive experience handling personal injury claims to win punitive damages in car accident settlements.

Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers are well-acquainted with the complexities of acquiring punitive damages for clients. If you have suffered a permanent disability due to another driver’s negligent actions, contact GONZ.LAW GROUP, located in West Palm Beach, to schedule a free case evaluation to determine the correct legal approach for your needs.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

The Florida statute of limitations stipulates that car accident victims have up to two years from the date the accident occurred to file a claim. Even though two years may seem like a long time, it can quickly pass by, and accident victims may be unable to file a claim if they wait too long.

Instead, it is always best to hire an experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer to help with the claims process. Injured victims who miss the two-year deadline and then try to file a claim will likely have their claim dismissed by the court.

Once a case has been dismissed, victims typically have no further legal recourse to try and recover compensation for their injuries and other accident-related damages.

Additionally, suppose a family has lost a family member due to a car accident caused by another person’s negligence. In that case, the Florida statute of limitations is also two years to file a wrongful death claim.

Due to the complexity of the Florida statute of limitations, anyone injured in a car accident must consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can explain the legal process and help them file a compensation claim.

GONZ.LAW GROUP has extensive experience handling motor vehicle accident claims and would be honored to assist you with your car accident case.

Will My Case Have to Go to Court to Be Resolved?

Often, clients worry that their auto accident cases may have to go to court to be resolved so they can obtain fair compensation for damages. However, many clients are unaware that most car accident claims are settled through negotiations between the accident victim’s attorney and the insurance provider.

Out-of-court negotiations help both sides save precious time and money rather than going through the expense of filing a personal injury lawsuit. GONZ.LAW GROUP has a proven record of obtaining maximum compensation for clients to pay for medical bills and lost income.

However, suppose the insurance provider is unwilling to offer an adequate settlement for your needs. In that case, our legal team is fully prepared to enter into litigation if necessary to ensure that the negligent party is held accountable for your damages.

In many instances. Insurance providers try to undervalue claims to try and avoid large payouts that could affect their bottom line.

For this reason, GONZ.LAW GROUP is prepared to file a car accident lawsuit to make sure that you and your family receive just compensation that will pay for your lost income and medical bills. Contact our West Palm Beach car accident lawyer for more details about how we may be able to settle your injury claim.

Why Should I Choose Your Car Accident Lawyers to Help Me File a Personal Injury Claim?

If you or a family member have been involved in a car crash, you may not know where to turn to for help to try and recover compensation to cover lost income, property damage, and medical bills. In some cases, injured victims initially try to handle their cases independently, in part because they are unsure about the costs associated with hiring a car accident lawyer. However, most injury victims quickly realize the claims process is more complex than anticipated.

One of the benefits of hiring our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers to assist you with your claim is we will act as your legal advocate with the insurance company so you can focus on healing. Our legal team can assist you with filling out the insurance forms correctly and ensuring they are turned in promptly.

However, one of the most significant benefits of choosing GONZ.LAW GROUP is we also have a mechanic and body shop on the premises with employees that can thoroughly evaluate the damage to your vehicle to determine the value of your claim. For those who live in the West Palm Beach area, we offer free local inspections of vehicles involved in accidents to help clients better understand the type of settlement the insurance company may offer.

GONZ.LAW GROUP believes that if your car accident lawyer is not educating you regarding the vehicle inspection process after an accident, you will be missing out on information that could help recover compensation.

GONZ.LAW GROUP is a law firm dedicated to helping West Palm Beach car accident victims and their families obtain the maximum compensation they deserve to pay for medical bills and other expenses.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic accident, contact our Palm Beach car accident lawyers at 561-639-7858 so that we may help you with your claim and ensure your legal rights are protected. Our highly trained attorneys are here to help and will not rest until you receive the justice and peace of mind you deserve.