Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Palm Beach Gardens
According to Traffic Crash Facts, Annual Report, in 2021 there were over 400,000 vehicle crashes in Florida involving over 680,000 drivers. And over 3450 people died in these accidents. These crashes involved cars, motorcycles, vans, trucks, and bicycles. Pedestrians, too, were involved in over 9500 accidents. With 18 million licensed drivers in Florida, these statistics don’t seem too terrible. However, if you or a member of your family is involved in a motor vehicle accident, your entire world might collapse under the strain of physical injuries, medical recovery, property damage, and loss of income.
Florida is a no-fault state. That means that every licensed driver must carry personal automobile insurance, with a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 property damage coverage. Your own insurance company pays for your medical expenses and property damage up to the limits of your policy, no matter who is at fault. Your own insurance will cover 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages.
A driver or passenger who is injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida can sue the at-fault driver as well as the at-fault owner of the motor vehicle, even with no-fault insurance, for compensation for damages. That includes pain and suffering and recovery of damages beyond your own insurance policy limits.
You do not want to miss out on the opportunity for full compensation in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. That’s why you should confer immediately with an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. That’s why you should contact the Swan Law Firm to schedule a free consultation to explore all options for full compensation.
Why Choose Blake Swan as Your Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
The reputation of a personal injury attorney matters, especially in the early stages of a claim for motor vehicle injuries. Blake Swan has the credentials that impress insurance companies and defense attorneys. They know that claims filed by the Swan Law Firm are legitimate causes of action. We get results for our clients.
The Swan Law Firm is a top-ranked attorney among the National Trial attorneys Top 40, recovering over $90 million on behalf of clients from around the country.
The Swan Law Firm will fight till you get paid!
A successful personal injury attorney has a combination of skills:
- Up-to-date knowledge Florida motor vehicle accident law and civil procedure
- Compassion and dedication to our clients
- Trial experience that backs up aggressive negotiating strategies
- A reputation among insurance companies and defense counsel
- Professional, strategic, and effective
This professional attitude means that we will aggressively, and ethically, advocate for our clients so that we can recover the compensation that you deserve.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Handled
With so many vehicles on the road, accidents are inevitable and can take many forms.
- Car accident
- Truck accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Bicycle accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Crosswalk accident
- Bus accident
- Uber or Lyft accident
- Delivery driver accident
- DoorDash or Grubhub accident
At the Swan Law Firm, we represent injured clients suffering from all types of injuries: broken bones, soft tissue injuries like whip lash and injured ligaments, injuries to the back, spine, brain, and any body part. We also represent the families who have lost members in fatal car accidents in wrongful death actions.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
With so many drivers in Florida, there are multiple causes of motor vehicle accidents. The most common causes are:
- Distracted driving, including texting, eating, or talking on the phone or with passengers
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Road rage
- Weather conditions
- Mechanical failure
- Road design and conditions
As experienced drivers know, even a moment of inattention can lead to loss of life, property damage, and significant injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accident Damages You May Be Entitled To
There is no formula for deciding the amount of damages stemming from a motor vehicle accident. That amount is determined on a case-by-case basis. Allowable recoveries, minus what your own insurance paid for, include:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical injury, disability or disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy your life fully
- Medical bills and expenses, including rehabilitative services
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of financial and emotional support
How Blake Swan Can Help You
Every potential client who approaches the Swan Law Firm for a free consultation will be interviewed to determine the viability of your claim. This process involves reviewing the evidence, medical records, and perhaps conducting a brief investigation to locate the responsible parties and their financial assets, including insurance policies, and any prior claims based on dangerous conditions.
Once a case is taken, and a retainer agreement drafted and signed, the Swan Law Firm will contact the insurance carriers, if any, to feel out whether negotiation or litigation is the best course of action for you. If the insurance carrier has undervalued the damage, and not offered an appropriate pre-filing settlement, then the Swan Law Firm will file suit on your behalf. Our goal is to maximize your recovery in the shortest period of time. However, not all cases can be settled without a trial. Especially serious motor vehicle cases involving multiple defendants require a trial before a jury. And Blake Swan and his team have the experience and fight you want in a trial attorney.
We Fight Until You Get Paid
At the Swan Law Firm, we will guide you through the legal process and aggressively pursue your claim, maintaining integrity and offering you compassion and understanding during this difficult time. We are committed to providing our clients with legal representation based on their needs and our professionalism. Your case will begin with a Free Consultation.
We are standing by ready to assist you 24/7. Call us now at Swan Law Firm 561-291-7492 or fill out the contact form below to schedule your free consultation.
Our Florida office is located at:
11410 Jog Road, Suite 100
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33410
Our telephone number is: 561-291-7492
Or email Blake Swan at: bswan@swanlawfirm.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a car accident? First, take care of yourself, any passengers, and any bystanders who might be injured. Call 911 for emergency medical services and to bring the police to the site. You must file a police report if the accident involved injury or death, or property damage over $500. You do not want to be accused of a hit-and-run or driving under the influence. Leaving the scene of the accident could result in criminal charges and fines.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information, too. Take photographs of the accident scene: road conditions, skid marks, debris, vehicle damage. Look around for any security cameras and note the addresses so that the film can be preserved.
Because Florida is a no-fault state, you must file a claim with your own insurance company. Most importantly, do not try to negotiate a quick settlement. At the scene, you do not know the full extent of your injuries, or the real damage caused by any impact to your vehicle.
How is liability established in motor vehicle accident cases?
Most car accidents are caused by negligence. To prove a case of negligence requires establishing four elements. A driver owes a duty to operate a vehicle with the standard of care required under Florida law. That duty gets breached—being distracted, driving while under the influence, failing to maintain the vehicle and its tires, speeding, or driving recklessly. The breach of the duty of care is the actual cause of any injuries. And all damages must be documented.
How does Florida’s no-fault law work? Every Florida driver is required to carry personal and property damage insurance, at a minimum of $10,000 for each. Your own insurance company pays your expenses up to the policy limits, if necessary. However, if the other driver is at fault, or a third party, then you can sue them for excess damages not recovered under your insurance policy.
What if multiple parties are at fault? You can sue any party at fault—the driver, the owner of the vehicle, the manufacturer of the car, the mechanic who might have done a flawed repair, the municipality that designed and maintained the roadway. Any recovery from your own insurance company will be deducted from any recovery gotten elsewhere.
Can I be at fault if rear-ended? Most rear-end accidents are the fault of the driver who came up from behind. However, there are exceptions: erratic or reckless driving, driving under the influence, or faulty equipment might be considered a legal cause of the accident.
When must I file a police report? Under Florida law, you must file a police report of any motor vehicle accident resulting in death or injury, or property damage of more than $500 within 24 hours. The penalty for non-compliance is $30.
How are losses and damages determined in Palm Beach Gardens motor vehicle accidents? Immediately following a motor vehicle accident involving injury, you should seek medical attention. Maintain all of your medical records, any lost time at work, the cost of rehabilitation services, and any equipment you might have to purchase. To receive a payout under no-fault insurance or in a civil lawsuit, you must document any medical expenses or consequential losses. Keep track of car repair bills, too, and any other property damage repairs.
What’s the motor vehicle accident statute of limitations? The statute of limitations for a motor vehicle accident is ordinarily four years. However, if death resulted, then the statute of limitations for a wrongful death suit is two years.
When should I engage a motor vehicle accident attorney? It’s best to consult with an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident. At the Swan Law Firm, we offer a free consultation during which time we can evaluate your case. Early intervention by a motor vehicle accident attorney can help guide you through the recovery process, gather and preserve evidence and witness testimony, and negotiate with any insurance companies for a swift and fair resolution of your claim. If filing suit is necessary, the preliminary work has been done and can facilitate a complaint against all culpable parties.
