A car accident is often a very traumatic event, and it can be difficult to know what to do in the aftermath. If you have been injured in a collision, you may be wondering if you need a lawyer. Many people believe that they can handle the situation on their own, but this is often not the case.
A West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Car accidents often result in serious injuries, and without legal representation, you may not be able to get the money you need to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
For help with your claim, contact GOLDLAW to schedule a consultation with a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer. Our team has more than 200 years of combined experience, and there are no fees or costs unless we win.
Why Choose GOLDLAW for Your Car Accident Claim?
After sustaining vehicle accident injuries and property damage, you need a legal advocate by your side who can assist you through every part of the claims process. Here’s why so many clients have chosen to work with us:
- More than $1 billion won: Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients, reflecting a strong track record of success in personal injury cases.
- 200–plus years of combined experience: Our attorneys bring together more than two centuries of legal experience, giving you the benefit of deep knowledge and proven strategies.
- No fees unless we win: You pay nothing upfront. Our contingency fee structure means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
- Founded in 2002: With more than two decades of dedicated service, GOLDLAW has built a reputation for trusted advocacy and client-focused representation.
- Available 24/7: Accidents don’t follow a schedule, and neither do we. Our team is available around the clock to answer your questions and support your case.
At GOLDLAW, we focus on delivering results while making the legal process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for our Palm Beach County clients.
The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Florida
According to the IIHS fatality facts, 3,396 car accidents in Florida were deadly in 2023. So, what are the most common causes of car accidents in Florida?
Distracted Driving
This is by far the most common cause of car accidents in Florida. Distracted driving can include anything from talking on your phone to eating or adjusting the radio. If your attention is not fully on the road, your reaction time drops, and the risk of a crash increases significantly.
Speeding
Speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious accidents. When you drive above the speed limit, you have less time to react to hazards and a greater chance of losing control of your vehicle, especially in high-traffic areas.
DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is both illegal and extremely dangerous. Impaired drivers have reduced coordination, judgment, and reaction time, making accidents far more likely. Always arrange a designated driver or alternative transportation if you plan to drink.
Weather Conditions
Florida may be known for sunshine, but sudden rainstorms can create hazardous driving conditions. Reduced visibility and slick roads increase the likelihood of accidents, making it essential to slow down and drive cautiously during bad weather.
Road Rage
Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, cutting others off, or reacting emotionally to other drivers, can quickly escalate into dangerous situations. Staying calm and avoiding confrontation can help reduce your risk of being involved in a Palm Beach County accident.
Why Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney in West Palm Beach?
Auto accidents are among the leading causes of personal injury in Florida. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, speaking with an experienced West Palm Beach car accident attorney as soon as possible is a good idea for the following reasons:
You May Be Entitled to More Compensation Than You Realize
After a car accident, many people minimize their injuries or losses because they worry about filing a claim and possibly increasing their insurance rates.
What they often don’t realize is that compensation may extend beyond just physical injuries and vehicle damage. If the accident has led to missed work, medical expenses, or pain and suffering, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for those additional impacts as well.
The Insurance Company Is Not On Your Side
Insurance companies are businesses whose ultimate goal is to make a profit. As such, they will often try to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out for claims. They may do this by offering low settlements, denying claims outright, or dragging out the claims process to frustrate victims into giving up.
You May Need to Take Your Claim to Court
In some cases, taking your claim to court might be necessary to get the compensation you deserve. This could be because the insurance company has denied your claim or because they have made an unreasonably low settlement offer.
Florida Statutes of Limitations Could Be Looming
In Florida, the time limit for filing most car accident claims (the statute of limitations) is now two years from the date of the accident. This may seem like a long time, but if you wait too long, important evidence, such as eyewitnesses and surveillance footage, can be more challenging to find.
Consulting with a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer right away can make sure you’re able to build a strong case that is filed on time.
Florida’s No-Fault Car Insurance Laws
Florida is a “no-fault” state when it comes to car insurance. This means that an injured driver must turn to their own insurance company after an accident, even if they were not at fault.
Under Florida insurance law, every driver is required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance in the amount of $10,000. PIP coverage pays for the policyholder’s medical bills and lost wages, up to a maximum of $10,000, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
Property Damage Liability Insurance
In addition to PIP insurance, drivers in Florida are also required to carry property damage liability (PDL) insurance. PDL insurance covers damages to another person’s property, such as their car, that is caused by the policyholder.
In Florida, all drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability. This means the other driver, the one who caused your accident and injuries, will be responsible for paying for your property damage.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Compensation
If your injuries are severe and/or permanent (and therefore incredibly costly), you may decide that you need to file a personal injury claim to recoup your costs and hold the other driver accountable.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Florida, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities under the state’s no-fault laws.
One of GOLDLAW’s experienced personal injury lawyers in West Palm Beach can help you face the legal process and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Types of Compensation Available After a West Palm Beach Car Accident
Individuals are often able to recover a variety of types of compensation if their vehicle accident claim is successful.
Through the no-fault system, individuals are typically able to recover compensation for up to 80% of their medical bills and up to 60% of their lost wages. Anything not covered by the no-fault insurance is the responsibility of the policyholder.
Individuals who have valid insurance policies in the state of Florida will also be able to recover compensation for their property damage expenses if the other driver was at fault, up to the limits of the policy.
Stepping Outside of the No-Fault Injury System
If a car accident victim is able to step outside of the no-fault injury system due to the thresholds established by law, then there may be additional types of compensation available through a personal injury claim.
If a claim is successful, this could potentially help an individual recover 100% of their medical bills, lost wages, property damage expenses, and other losses arising as a result of the accident.
Additionally, individuals may be able to recover various types of non-economic damages, such as emotional and psychological pain and suffering, through a personal injury lawsuit.
How Much Can I Get in a West Palm Beach Car Accident Claim?
The total amount of compensation available through an insurance claim or as a result of a personal injury lawsuit will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding each particular situation.
Some factors that can affect total compensation amounts include the severity of the injuries, the length of recovery time, the level of property damage expenses, and the total payment a person received.
When you work with a skilled West Palm Beach car accident lawyer, you will have an advocate by your side working to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Your attorney will work with trusted medical and economic experts to help evaluate your total expected losses.
Reach Out to a Lawyer at GOLDLAW as Soon as Possible
We understand that even two years can seem like quite a bit of time to file a claim, but we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Any delay in filing a claim potentially harms the ability to win that case.
In addition to the two-year timeframe set forth by state law for a personal injury lawsuit, please be aware that the insurance carriers involved in these claims also have their own reporting deadlines. Failing to promptly report a claim to an insurance carrier (if there is one involved in the case) could result in a claim delay or denial.
After a car accident, it’s best to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible after a car or truck accident in West Palm Beach.
Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
In March of 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida House Bill (HB) 837, a massive tort reform bill. This law changed Florida from a pure comparative negligence state to a modified comparative negligence state.
Previously, individuals who were able to step outside of the no-fault car accident insurance system would have been able to recover compensation even if they were up to 99% negligent for the claim.
Now, under the modified comparative negligence system in Florida, those who sustained injuries can only recover compensation if they are less than 50% responsible for the injuries. Individuals who are more than 50% responsible for causing their own injuries are now barred from recovering compensation.
How Do These Recent Changes Affect Car Accident Victims?
This is a major change in Florida law and will most certainly affect car accident victims and other types of personal injury claims moving forward.
This change limits how much compensation victims are able to recover and could essentially cut off some individuals from recovering compensation at all. Insurance carriers will work very hard to push liability towards claimants now if they know that they only have to get the claimant’s “fault” to be more than 50%.
We strongly encourage you to work with a skilled car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach who can push back against any allegations of shared fault in order to help you recover the compensation you need.
How Do I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in West Palm Beach, FL?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Florida, you may be wondering how to go about filing a lawsuit. The car or truck accident claims process can be complicated, but GOLDLAW is here to help. Here’s what you should do:
- Gather evidence: This includes taking photos/video of the accident scene, getting the contact information of any witnesses, and collecting police reports.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Keep track of your medical expenses and medical records, and make sure to follow all instructions from your doctor.
- Hire a personal injury lawyer: Make sure you consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so they can help build your case.
- File a claim with your insurance company: This can be a long and frustrating process, so it’s important to have a lawyer’s help for this as well.
- File a lawsuit: If the other driver’s insurance company is unwilling to give you a fair settlement, your next step is to file a lawsuit in court.
- Go to trial: This is generally a last resort, but if both sides can’t come to an agreement, your case will go to trial, and a judge or jury will decide how much you should receive in damages.
GOLDLAW knows that the process of filing a car accident lawsuit can be daunting, but we’re here to help you every step of the way with our client-focused approach. Call us 24/7 to get the legal solutions you deserve.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
At GOLDLAW, we understand how challenging it can be to worry about finances and paying for an attorney in these situations. That is why we handle car accident claims in West Palm Beach on a contingency fee basis. This means a few things for our clients.
First, we handle all upfront or out-of-pocket costs related to the case at hand. Clients do not have to pay any of these expenses. Additionally, car accident victims do not have to pay any legal fees until after we successfully recover the compensation they are entitled to.
The final legal fees will be an agreed-upon percentage of the final settlement or jury verdict. If we are unable to secure compensation through a successful claim, clients pay no legal fees at all.
Talk to a West Palm Beach Car Accident Attorney at GOLDLAW Today
A car accident can be a devastating experience, so it’s essential to know your rights and what actions you need to take to protect yourself both physically and legally.
At GOLDLAW, our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers have the resources and strength that many smaller firms simply cannot match, enabling us to take on powerful insurance companies. Our team includes experienced, board-certified attorneys who focus exclusively on personal injury law.
Our experienced team has served the needs and supported the West Palm Beach community for more than 20 years with exceptional customer service. We live here and are locally owned and operated.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, call GOLDLAW today, then visit our FAQ page.
