Wesley Chapel Car Accident Lawyer

Wesley Chapel Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents can happen unexpectedly for various reasons, and it is important to know your rights and responsibilities when an accident happens. This is especially true if another driver is clearly to blame for the accident. An experienced Wesley Chapel car accident lawyer is a valuable resource to consult if you are unsure how to recover from your recent accident, and the sooner you connect with legal counsel, the more likely you are to recover your losses.

Helping Car Accident Victims Recover in Wesley Chapel, FL

The team at the Santini Law Firm has extensive experience helping clients throughout the Wesley Chapel area with all sorts of damage claims, including car accident cases. The state’s no-fault rule for resolving vehicle accidents may seem like a restriction for your recovery, but the reality is that you may have grounds for legal recourse against another driver under certain conditions.

Wesley Chapel Car Accident Lawyer — Free Consultation

Whether you believe you can fully recover your losses through an auto insurance claim or you intend to pursue a more extensive personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident, you need legal counsel you can trust on your side to reach the optimal outcome in your recovery efforts. Our firm can assist you with proving fault for your accident, filing your auto insurance claim against an at-fault driver, and recovering compensation with a personal injury claim.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Wesley Chapel

Most drivers in the Wesley Chapel area know that busy roads like US-41 and State Road 54 are danger zones. US-19 is one of the deadliest roads in the nation for pedestrians, and State Road 52 also qualifies as a hotspot for accidents in the area. However, it is important for all drivers to remember that accidents can happen on any road at any time for various reasons. Some of the most commonly reported causes of serious accidents in the Wesley Chapel area include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Intoxicated driving is illegal and extremely dangerous for the impaired driver and everyone around them. DUI is commonly cited as a major contributing factor to the number of serious car accidents in Wesley Chapel each year and is one of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in the state.
• Distracted driving. Whenever a driver loses focus behind the wheel or takes their hands, eyes, or attention away from operating their vehicle, they can easily cause a serious accident. Texting while driving continues to be a pervasive cause of accidents throughout the United States each year.
• Speeding. While it’s not unusual to see people slightly exceeding speed limits to maintain traffic flow, any speeding is potentially dangerous as it reduces the time and distance a driver has to slow down or stop to avoid a collision.
• Traffic violations. Illegal turns, improper lane changes, running red lights or stop signs, and failure to yield the right-of-way are some examples of traffic violations that can easily cause serious accidents.

No matter how your recent accident happened, it is important to understand how the state’s no-fault rule will apply to your recovery efforts. Every driver is required to have auto insurance, and drivers are expected to use their own insurance to pay for their damages after an accident happens, regardless of who caused the accident. There are exceptions to the no-fault rule, and your Wesley Chapel car accident lawyer can determine if you have further options for legal recourse.

Recovering Compensation for Your Car Accident

Filing an auto insurance claim is your first option for recovering your damages from an accident, even if another driver is to blame. Your Wesley Chapel car accident lawyer can make dealing with an insurance company much easier, and they will be able to resolve any complications you encounter in your interactions with the insurance company’s representatives. Once you receive your settlement, your attorney can determine whether further legal action is required.

Florida law allows the victim of a car accident to file a personal injury claim when the at-fault driver has inflicted a severe injury and/or caused damages exceeding the victim’s insurance coverage. Success with a personal injury claim will require clear proof of fault and evidence of the full extent of your damages. You must prove the full extent of the losses you suffered and prove these losses directly resulted from the defendant’s actions.

Under the state’s personal injury statutes, the victim of another party’s negligence or illegal misconduct has the right to claim compensation for:

• Medical expenses. Your personal injury protection coverage in your auto insurance policy may cover some of your medical expenses, but if you suffered severe injuries, you may require extensive ongoing care. The defendant is liable for any medical treatment costs you incur from their actions, including the cost of any necessary future care.
• Lost wages. When you are unable to work because of your injuries, the defendant who caused your injuries is liable for the income you are unable to earn during your recovery. This also applies to future income you are no longer able to earn if you suffered any permanent harm from the accident.
• Property damage. You should be able to recover compensation for vehicle repair costs through auto insurance, but any property losses you cannot recover in this manner can be cited as economic damages in your personal injury case.
• Pain and suffering. Florida law allows a personal injury plaintiff to seek compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological distress they suffered because of a defendant’s negligence or illegal misconduct. There is no cap on pain and suffering compensation in most personal injury claims in the state, so this could form the bulk of your final case award if you suffered any serious injuries.

Beyond the damages you seek in your personal injury claim, it is also possible to receive punitive damages and/or restitution at the discretion of the court if the defendant who injured you did so through some illegal misconduct.
The Santini Law Firm can work closely with you through each stage of your recovery efforts. From gathering the evidence you need to assert liability to filing your auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver and building a personal injury suit, you can rely on our team for ongoing support and guidance through each step of your recovery. Time is a critical factor for success in your case, so it’s vital to reach out to our team as soon as possible.

FAQs About Wesley Chapel, FL Car Accident Laws

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Wesley Chapel, FL?

If you are unable to fully recover from a car accident with your own auto insurance, you will need to prove fault for the accident and identify the driver who caused it. Your Wesley Chapel car accident lawyer can help you identify the liable party with evidence such as witness testimony, traffic camera recordings, vehicle computer data, or even input from various expert witnesses who can clarify the most complex details of the case.

How Does the No-Fault Rule Work?

The state’s no-fault rule aims to streamline the resolution of car accident claims by requiring drivers to use their own auto insurance when accidents occur. If you have an accident with another driver, you use your own insurance to pay for your damages regardless of fault. However, if the other driver is clearly responsible and your damages exceed your insurance coverage, you can pursue a personal injury claim to recover the rest of your damages.

What Is the 14-Day Accident Law in Florida?

The 14-day accident rule in Florida pertains to seeking medical treatment after an accident. Anyone involved in a vehicle accident is expected to seek medical care within 14 days, even if they think they only suffered minor injuries. If they do not do this, it would be very difficult for them to seek compensation for medical expenses from the party responsible for causing the accident. Prompt medical care can also rule out potentially dangerous medical conditions.

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in Wesley Chapel, FL?

On average, car accident claims in the state settle for between $10,000 and $60,000. However, recovering full compensation for the damages you suffered is likely to require more than just a claim against your auto insurance policy. If another driver is responsible for your accident and you suffered severe injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for any damages not covered by insurance.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Wesley Chapel Car Accident Lawyer?

If you need legal counsel to help secure compensation for your damages from a recent accident, the Santini Law Firm can represent you on a contingency fee agreement. This means you will only pay a percentage of your final case award as your fee, and only if we win your case. If our team cannot obtain compensation for you, you pay nothing, so there is no financial risk in choosing our firm to represent your case.

The Santini Law Firm has helped many past clients in the Wesley Chapel area recover compensation for their recent accidents. We’re ready to assist you in your recovery, from filing an auto insurance claim to building a personal injury suit when insurance alone can’t cover your damages. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a Wesley Chapel car accident lawyer you can trust with your recovery.