5 Crucial Things To Know Before Filing an Auto Accident Claim in Lakeland
After being involved in a Lakeland car accident because of another party’s negligence and suffering severe injuries, you can file a car accident claim against the negligent party and recover financial compensation. If you have never had to file an auto accident claim before, there are several crucial things you probably don’t know about that you need to know about before filing your claim. In this article, we share five crucial things you need to know before filing an auto accident claim in Lakeland, Florida. Read on!
- Car Accident Victims Represented by Counsel Usually Recover More Money
It is estimated that car accident victims who have hired an attorney can receive up to 3.5 times more in settlement than those victims without an attorney. First, an attorney can make the insurance company takes you more seriously. Second, a skilled car accident attorney can evaluate the full extent of your damages, ensuring you seek all the damages you are entitled to. Third, an attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to pursue fair compensation. Attorneys’ negotiation skills often result in higher settlements than victims might recover on their own. Fourth, an attorney will know what evidence is necessary to strengthen your case and how to present it effectively. Additionally, a skilled car accident lawyer can represent you in court and argue on your behalf, potentially resulting in higher compensation.
Note: The sooner you get an attorney, the better.
- Car Accident Attorneys Don’t Charge Anything Up Front
If you are worried that you can’t afford an attorney, you should know that most car accident attorneys in Lakeland work on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee arrangement, the lawyer takes on your case without you paying any upfront fees. The attorney only receives their pay if and after they successfully resolve your case. If your case is unsuccessful, you are not required to pay the attorney out-of-pocket.
- You Must Prove the Other Party’s Negligence
In an auto accident case, compensation is not awarded automatically. You must prove the other party’s negligence to recover compensation. In a Lakeland auto accident case, you must prove the other party owed you a duty of care. You must show that the defendant breached their duty of care. After showing a breach of duty of care, you must prove that the breach directly caused your accident and injuries and that you suffered actual damages due to the accident. These include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
- You Have Limited Time in Which to File Your Claim
According to Florida Statute 95.11(4)(a), you have two years from the date of the accident to file your auto accident claim. If you wait to file your claim and the statute of limitations expires, your case may be dismissed when you finally file it.
- You Have Multiple Options for Recovering Compensation
Finally, you should know that you have multiple options for recovering compensation. First, you can resolve your case through an out-of-court settlement. If you are unable to recover fair compensation through an out-of-court settlement, you can go to court and fight for the compensation award you deserve.
Contact a Lakeland, FL, Car Accident Attorney Today
The Lakeland car accident attorneys at Darla K. Snead, P.L., represent auto accident victims in Lakeland. Contact us today at 863-619-5291 or by filling out our online contact form to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html#:~:text=1(4)-,WITHIN%20TWO%20YEARS.%E2%80%94,-(a)%E2%80%83An
