Port St. Lucie is a lovely city, but unfortunately it is also the scene of many unpleasant car accidents. Everyone in a vehicle increases their risk of injury during a collision. They consist of things like money spent on medical care, time off work, emotional distress, and financial losses.
Help for those who have been hurt in accidents is available from Hoskins Turco and Lloyd.
In the event of an auto accident, a lawyer in Port St. Lucie can assist you in exploring all of your legal options.
If you sustain a severe injury in a car accident and the other driver was at fault, you can file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida.
The total cost of your accident and any necessary future rehabilitation expenses may be covered by your claim.
Legal advice from a seasoned attorney in Port St. Lucie is on the house. If you need to get in touch with us, feel free to use Skype, FaceTime, the phone, or any other method you prefer. Get in touch with us at (866) 930 6435 or online to schedule a no-cost initial consultation with one of our attorneys. If you prefer, you can also retain our services digitally, and we’ll get to work on your case right away. If you’d rather, we can do business digitally. You can expect us to begin working on your case without delay.
What is the frequency rate of car accidents in Port St. Lucie?
There are a lot of car crashes in Port St. Lucie. More deaths occur than typical for Florida as well.
There were 5,119 car accidents in St. Lucie County last year, resulting in 2,997 fatalities and 297 injuries, as reported by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV).
According to Florida Health, the death rate in St. Lucie County was 163 for every 100,000 residents in 2010, which is much higher than the statewide rate of 14.7 and much higher than the death rates in neighboring Martin and Palm Beach counties to the south.
Learn Your Rights After a Collision in Port St. Lucie
If you’re hurt in an accident in Port St. Lucie, you can seek compensation through your PIP coverage.
Everyone, no matter who was at fault, can get this insurance. Instead of waiting while an investigation is conducted, you can submit a claim right away following medical care.
Even though personal injury protection (PIP) insurance only pays a portion of the bill, it will cover the rest.
The maximum benefit payable under a PIP policy is $10,000. It only pays for 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages. If your visit was not a “emergency,” you may still be eligible for $2,500.
That leaves you responsible for the remaining expenses. For damages, you can either fork over cash or use liability insurance to pin the blame on the responsible party. If you are seriously hurt in an auto accident and the other driver was at fault, you can seek compensation through their third-party Bodily Injuries Liability (BIL) insurance in Florida. Disabling injuries are covered, whether they are temporary or permanent. Over and above the PIP cap of $10,000, you may also be covered for injuries that cost more than that.
Consult with a lawyer experienced in car accidents in Port St. Lucie to find out if your injuries qualify. In addition, your lawyer can assist you in determining who exactly is to blame for your losses. Under Florida law, you can sue all at-fault parties for a portion of your damages. Having a lawyer look into the accident and determine fault is essential.
Who Might Be Liable for Your Damages and How to Find Them
Establishing someone’s negligence or that their negligence caused your injuries is necessary for receiving compensation for medical expenses.
Legally speaking, “negligence” describes conduct that fails to uphold the defendant’s duty to keep you safe.
Examples of such conduct might include running a red light or otherwise breaking the law. It also includes behavior that a reasonable person would recognize as risky in the given circumstances.
You must also prove that you have suffered losses. Any financial setbacks are included in this category. The following are typical losses following a collision in Port St. Lucie:
- Emergency Department bills
- Specialist services in medicine
- Tests and Xrays
- Transport for ambulances
- Future treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Reimbursement to injury-related outof-pocket expenses
- Loss of wages
- Domestic services can be replaced
- Suffering and pain
If you can prove that the at fault person was negligent and that your damages were caused by their negligence, you may be eligible for an insurance claim under their BIL policy. At-fault parties may include the other driver that hit you as well as other possible defendants. Your vehicle manufacturer may also be liable if your brakes fail to protect you in a crash due to a manufacturing defect.
What to do after a Port St. Lucie Accident
To maximize your chances of financial and medical recovery following a collision, you need to take a few steps.
- Assess your own health and those of others.
- Call 911 to request an ambulance and a police response for anyone with obvious injuries
- While you wait for police to arrive exchange information with other drivers. Take photos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and your injuries.
- Don’t admit fault.
- Seek medical attention immediately. If you are in serious pain, visit the ER immediately. If you aren’t sure if injuries have occurred, you can visit an urgent care center or a doctor’s practice within 14 days.
- An experienced Port St. Lucie lawyer can help you determine which forms of compensation are available before you start talking to insurance companies.
Be careful when speaking to insurance agents. Talking to an insurer is not the right way to discuss your health or the pain you are experiencing. Never admit fault. Limit your answers to the information they can find on your driver’s license or on the accident report. Do not give them full access to your medical records. Instead, obtain the records you need to send to them. You should not allow them to see your medical records before the accident happened.
Car accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie: fight for your rights and financial recovery
The insurance company will do whatever it can to minimize the payout you receive. Get in touch with reputable injury attorneys for advice on how to proceed and how to avoid typical pitfalls. At Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, we are prepared to stand by your side throughout the duration of your claim. We have been helping clients just like you since 2003, and during that time we’ve learned the legal strategies that increase the likelihood of a favorable settlement. We will not be afraid to take your case to trial if we are unable to reach a satisfactory settlement with the liable parties.