Lake Worth Car Accident Lawyer

If you were involved in a severe auto accident, you might be in pain, confused, and overwhelmed. Are you entitled to compensation? Who’s supposed to cover your medical costs and missed days at work? A quick consultation with a Lake Worth car accident lawyer can help you make sense of your options.

At Warner & Fitzmartin, PLLC, we advocate for the rights of car accident victims and their families. Call our Lake Worth office to speak to a Lake Worth injury attorney and determine the value of your case.

Were You Injured in a Car Accident in Lake Worth?

Florida is a no-fault state for car accidents. However, this doesn’t mean that fault is irrelevant or that you can’t take legal action against the motorist who caused your accident.

In Florida, you’ll normally turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) to cover medical expenses and lost wages if you suffer injuries in a car accident. PIP generally covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000. However, serious and long-term injuries usually cause damage far beyond this amount.

If someone else’s carelessness led to your accident, you could file a claim against their insurance company for any medical damages exceeding your PIP coverage, as well as your pain and suffering. Our Lake Worth accident lawyers can help identify who is responsible for covering your losses.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Represent

Our law firm represents all types of car accident cases, including:

Rear-end collisions usually happen when a driver stays too close to the car in front of them and doesn’t have enough time to brake
T-bone accidents, often involving drivers who fail to give right of way at an intersection
Sideswipe accidents, which can occur when a driver changes lanes too abruptly or loses control of their car
Multiple-vehicle accidents, including chain collisions in which one driver rear-ends another while the second driver, in turn, crashes into a third car in front of them
Hit-and-run accidents in which the at-fault driver flees the scene
Accidents that involve commercial vehicles like trucks, buses, or Uber and Lyft drivers

Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?

Yes, you need a lawyer for any serious accident that causes significant losses.

Insurance companies are very good at protecting their own interests and paying accident victims as little as possible. The insurance adjuster handling your claim may try to trick you into admitting fault for the accident, downplay your losses, or even accuse you of fraud.

An experienced Lake Worth car accident lawyer will stand up for your interests by doing the following:

Assessing your case’s worth and letting you know what compensation you may expect
Helping you prove fault using evidence like photos, dash cam footage, the police report, and witness statements
Ensuring your claim accounts for all your losses, including present and future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Handling all communication with the liable insurer and protecting you from bad-faith tactics
Helping you decide whether to accept a settlement offer or file a lawsuit

Moreover, reputable personal injury lawyers usually work on a contingency basis, so you don’t need to worry about attorney fees until you collect your settlement.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lake Worth?

Car accidents happen for many reasons, such as:

Speeding
Distracted driving, often because of handling a mobile phone behind the wheel
Ignoring traffic signs or rules — for example, failing to yield the right of way
Aggressive tactics like tailgating
Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances
Driver fatigue
Poor road conditions or bad weather

When we investigate the possible causes of your accident, we usually try to prove negligence. In other words, we aim to show that the other party involved did or failed to do something that led to your accident. For example, in a rear-end collision, your Lake Worth car accident lawyer may try to show that the other driver didn’t maintain enough distance from your car.

Five Things You Need To Do After a Car Accident in Lake Worth

The first thing you should do after an accident is move to safety, out of any oncoming traffic. Help others do the same if you can. Then, take the following five steps.

1. Call the Police

In Lake Worth, you must report any car accident that causes injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage. Failing to report an accident is against the law and could involve penalties. Besides, you’ll need the police report as evidence for your claim.

You should wait on the accident scene until the police officers arrive (unless, of course, you need emergency medical care). Make sure you ask how to access a copy of the report.

2. Gather Evidence

While waiting for the police and first responders, you have a one-time opportunity to gather evidence. Make sure you take photos of your car, the other car, and any other important details from multiple angles. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. If anyone else saw the accident, take their contact details as well.

When talking to the other driver and the police, remain polite and non-confrontational. Avoid saying anything that could mean admitting fault.

3. See a Doctor

Go in for a check-up immediately after the accident or within 24 hours at the latest, even if you think you only have a few scrapes and bruises. The adrenaline in your system can diminish pain, and your injuries may be a lot more serious than you think at first. You need a check-up to detect serious conditions like a TBI or organ damage.

Save all your medical records, such as doctors’ statements, hospitalization reports, and bills. All of these will be important to back your claim later.

4. Contact Your Insurance

You’ll need to get in touch with your insurance company to inform them you suffered an accident. Depending on your policy, you may have 24 to 72 hours to do that to preserve coverage.

You may also receive a call from the other driver’s insurance company. Please know you’re under no legal obligation to talk to the other side’s insurer. Don’t make any recorded statements, as insurance companies may twist them to undermine your claim. Avoid accepting any settlement offers before talking to a lawyer.

5. Call a Lawyer

Call a local car accident lawyer for a case evaluation as soon as possible. A consultation with an attorney will give you a clearer picture of who’s responsible for your accident, what compensation amount you may expect, and how soon your case may settle. Make sure you choose a reputable firm with good reviews and a solid track record of settling similar cases.

Hire an Experienced Lake Worth Car Accident Lawyer Now

Are you struggling with a painful recovery and heavy expenses after a car accident? Contact our personal injury law firm in Lake Worth. Our dedicated team at Warner & Fitzmartin, PLLC, will help you determine who’s at fault, calculate your losses, collect compelling evidence, and negotiate with insurers. We only charge a fee when we successfully resolve your case.

Call (561) 803-0167 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Lake Worth car accident lawyer.