Most people in Florida are safe, responsible drivers. However, a driver who act carelessly or recklessly can cause a serious accident that injures you or someone you love. If someone caused a car accident that hurt you or killed a close family member in Brooksville, FL, you may obtain compensation from the at-fault driver or other party responsible, but you will need a Brooksville car accident lawyer for help.
The Brooksville car accident lawyers at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, have more than 50 years of combined legal experience. We give car accident victims the care and attention they would expect from a small law firm, and we have the resources and experience to take on even the most challenging cases.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation about your case. A Florida car accident lawyer from our firm will review your claim, advise you of your options, and help you navigate the complex claims process to obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.
A Brooksville Car Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
Florida car accident victims have the right to pursue compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim. Our legal team has handled hundreds of car accident cases throughout Central Florida with a remarkable rate of success. You can count on us to investigate the accident, gather evidence like police reports and medical records, and negotiate with the insurance companies involved to get a fair settlement. If the insurance company won't negotiate or acts in bad faith, we can take your case to trial and advocate strongly for you to help you recover the damages you need.
If you're worried about the cost of hiring a car accident lawyer, don't be. Our personal injury attorneys work on work on a contingency fee basis. This means don't pay attorney fees unless and until we recover money for you. Also, the fee is usually a percentage of the settlement or jury award, so you won't have any out-of-pocket expenses upfront.
We pride ourselves on providing exceptional client service. Your needs are our priority, and you can rely on us to take an active interest in your case and keep you informed throughout the process. Read some of the outstanding client reviews we've received from past clients as evidence of our commitment to injured people and their families.
If you suffered injuries or losses in a Brooksville car accident someone else caused through their negligence or wrongdoing, contact Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC right away. Our Brooksville personal injury attorneys can provide a free case evaluation and help you get the most from your Brooksville car accident claim.
If you were recently injured in a car accident in Brooksville, FL,or if you have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in an auto accident, please contact us to discuss your case.
What Steps Should I Follow if I Get into an Auto Accident?
If you get into a motor vehicle accident in Brooksville, Florida, or a nearby area, you should make sure to take these six steps:
- Immediately get medical care. You must see a doctor within 14 days to preserve your rights to compensation under Florida’s no-fault law. Plus, the longer you delay treatment, the harder it may be to collect compensation. An insurance company may claim that your injuries are not from your crash, or they are not as serious as you say they are.
- Report your accident to your insurance company. Again, under Florida law section 316.065 (and your insurance contract), you must report your accident right away. You don't have to admit or assign fault. You can simply provide the basic facts.
- Gather your paperwork. Collect all your medical bills, receipts, and anything else you think might be relevant to your claim such as letters or e-mails from the insurance company. You should also hold on to any photos from the accident and the contact information of witnesses.
- Get the police crash report. The police department that investigated the crash such as the Hernando County Sheriff's Office will create an official record. You need to obtain this report as soon as possible. For most departments, you can obtain a copy by requesting one through the Florida Highway Patrol.
- Do not speak to the insurance company without a lawyer. You should never give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer from an insurance company until you talk with a lawyer first.
- Contact a lawyer. As soon as you are medically stable and capable of doing so, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Hernando County who will work hard to protect your rights and pursue all compensation that you are due.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Brooksville?
Over the years, our firm has seen how negligence serves as the cause of the overwhelming majority of car accidents. Some examples of driver negligence that contributes to car crashes are:
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Distracted driving and not paying attention
- Driver fatigue and drowsy driving
- Running stop signs or red lights or violating other traffic laws
However, in some cases, car accident injuries are caused by other factors such as:
- Defective auto or auto parts like bad brakes, tires, or steering systems
- Safety equipment that fails such as airbags or seat belts
- Poorly designed or maintained roads
- Highway construction negligence.
A Brooksville car accident lawyer at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, has the experience and resources to take on the most challenging investigations. We can determine how a car crash happened, gather evidence, and identify who should be held responsible. Contact us for a free case evaluation, and we can get to work right away on your Brooksville car accident case.
Recovering Damages for Your Injuries
Taking legal action with the help of a skilled car accident lawyer can help you recover losses related to your accident, including:
- Medical expenses: This includes compensation for current and future medical bills related to the accident, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: If you've missed work due to the accident or your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you've lost.
- Property damage: You can seek reimbursement for repairs or the replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical and emotional distress you've experienced because of the accident and your injuries. The amount awarded for pain and suffering varies based on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
- Loss of consortium: If the auto accident has negatively impacted your relationship with your spouse, you may be able to seek compensation for loss of companionship, affection, and support.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: If the accident results in a permanent disability or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
- Wrongful death damages: If a Florida car accident killed a close family member, our personal injury lawyers can help certain surviving members obtain compensation through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. The damages you receive can help cover funeral and burial costs and final medical expenses as well as loss of income and support.
It's essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand the types of compensation available to you based on your specific situation.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
The goal of our Brooksville personal injury lawyers is to help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. This means our car accident lawyers will perform a thorough investigation into your case and help with all aspects of your claim, from start to finish. Here are just a few ways our firm works for our clients:
- No-fault claims – Under Florida law, you first must file a claim with your own insurance policy for compensation under your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) policy. We can handle this process to make sure that everything is filed properly. This will preserve your rights to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company, assuming you meet the qualifications for additional compensation.
- Claims against at-fault drivers – To bring a claim against the other driver, you must have a serious injury, which is often a point of debate with the insurance company. Under Florida law, a serious injury is defined as:
- A serious and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Other serious or permanent injuries
- Support your claim – Your dedicated attorney can help take you through your insurance claim and help you demonstrate that your injuries are severe and require complete compensation – not just payments through your PIP policy.
- Identifying all liable parties – We will work hard to identify everyone who may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries. These can include the other driver, his or her passengers, a bar or restaurant that served the other driver too much alcohol, a social host who gave a minor driver alcohol, or a company that employed a negligent driver who hurt you.
- Pursuing a settlement – We know it is important to our clients that they get back on their feet fast. We fight to settle your case whenever possible. We will leverage our years of experience and our successful trial verdicts when we deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Going to court – We are not afraid to take cases to court and pursue jury verdicts. Sometimes insurance companies won't be reasonable, and there's no other choice. Our lawyers are prepared to provide your personal injury case with aggressive legal representation.
- Helping with other matters, too – Our service doesn't stop with pursuing compensation for our clients. An auto accident attorney can help you to resolve your property damage claim, resolve liens and unpaid medical bills and deal with creditors while your case is pending. In other words, we will do everything we can to help minimize the impact on your life.
How Long Do I Have to Sue an At-Fault Driver in Florida?
Provided you qualify to sue an at-fault driver, Florida's statute of limitations allows you only two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. If you don't have an attorney file suit for you within that time, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you'll lose your right to pursue compensation.
Contact a car accident lawyer from our firm as soon as possible to discuss your case and learn of any deadlines that apply.
Holliday & Karatinos is Ready to Help You
With more than five decades of collective legal wisdom and experience, our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. If you are injured in a car crash anywhere in the Brooksville area or Hernando County, call Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, and schedule a confidential and free consultation today. We will never collect a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. So, you have nothing to lose by finding out how we can help.
