In the state of Florida, car accidents are a major issue. The Sunshine State is ranked amongst the top states for having the highest number of car crashes in the nation. Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed due to motor vehicle collisions in Florida. In addition, numerous property damage claims and insurance claims are submitted each year due to auto accidents.
One reason why Florida has so many car accidents is because of its large population and heavy traffic on the roads. Moreover, many drivers in Florida lack proper training when it comes to driving safely. Reckless driving habits and distracted driving behaviors can easily lead to an accident.
When it comes to the number of car accidents per county in Florida, some counties stand out as having more than others. The most “car-accident prone” counties in the state include Palm Beach County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Pinellas County, and Hillsborough County. These counties see frequent auto collisions due to their high populations and intense traffic congestion levels throughout rush hour times.
Having uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy is essential if you live in Florida or any other state with large amounts of car accident cases yearly. This type of coverage provides financial protection if you’re involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have enough insurance coverage — or even worse — no insurance at all! Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (UM/UIM) coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage costs caused by uninsured drivers or those not carrying enough liability coverage on their policy. It also extends beyond just bodily injury; it can be used for property damage too!
Here are three reasons why you should have UM/UIM insurance coverage:
It helps reduce your out-of-pocket expenses after an accident with an uninsured driver.
It protects you financially if you’re injured in a hit-and-run or another type of accident involving an uninsured motorist.
It can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and property damage
Although this type of coverage is beneficial to have, some cons come along with this policy too. For instance, most people don’t want to pay for something they may never use and sometimes getting reimbursements for a claim can take time depending on the company’s backlogs and policies regarding UM/UIM reimbursement processing times. On top of that, you may end up paying more annually on your auto policy premium if you opt into this additional protection plan.
The annual premium rates for car insurance policies in Florida have been steadily increasing since 2017 due to growing numbers of car accidents occurring daily across the state each year — especially within South Florida counties as mentioned earlier like Broward County or Miami-Dade County where denser populations tend to be found alongside busier roadways. Insurance companies consider these factors when setting up prices for consumers which means Floridians will likely pay more if they choose a higher amount of coverage versus those who choose less due simply to riskier driving conditions present around the area.
Do You Know What the Average Auto Insurance Policy is in the state of Florida?
The average car insurance policy in Florida can be quite costly, according to the USNEWS, the average cost of car insurance in Florida is $2,393 per year. This figure is higher than the national average of $1,553 annually. With the number of car accidents increasing each year in Florida, drivers need to be aware of the various types of auto insurance coverage that are available and ensure they get the necessary protection for their vehicles.
To avoid being involved in such serious situations—or becoming part of yet another statistic from negligent drivers—it’s important that one practice safe driving techniques wherever possible such as wearing seatbelts at all times while inside a moving vehicle (as required by law), avoiding distractions like using cell phones while driving and making sure your vehicle is well maintained so that it runs at its optimal performance level when behind the wheel. Driving defensively rather than aggressively will also help ensure everyone stays safe while traveling.
At The Sheldrick Law Firm, we understand that facing the legal issue of having to find a lawyer near you and/or having to pay for a lawyer after an accident can be an expensive proposition. That's why we are glad to offer our clients a contingency fee agreement - a way for you to obtain legal services without having to pay any money upfront.
A contingency fee agreement is an arrangement where the client does not need to pay for the services provided by the law firm unless or until the case is won. In other words, if the case does not have a successful outcome, then no fees will be charged for the work completed by the lawyer. This makes it possible for those who are financially stressed to still get access to legal counsel and representation.
After being in an accident, you should know what to do and who to call to ensure your legal rights are protected. Whether you require an attorney for a civil suit or auto insurance claims, the Sheldrick Law Firm can help work to get you the best outcome possible from your case.
4 STEPS TO HIRING a personal injury lawyer after being in an automobile accident
Determine whether you need a personal injury lawyer. The most common reason for hiring a personal injury attorney is when the other driver was at-fault and injured you in a car accident or caused damage to your vehicle. The size of the damage does not determine the value of your case. Just because your car isn't totaled and you were not severely injured does not mean you don't need an attorney.
Find a personal injury lawyer with experience in the specific type of case you have. Some lawyers specialize in car accident cases, while others focus on slip-and-fall accidents or medical malpractice claims. Make sure that any lawyer you hire has experience handling cases similar to your case specifically.
Interview the attorney. Before you hire a lawyer, speak with them on the phone, Skype or Zoom to get an idea of their experience and whether or not they would be a good fit for your particular case. During the interview, it's important to tell the lawyers the key details of your accident. This will help them determine if they are willing to take your case and whether or not it's worth their time.
Ask about the lawyer’s fees. Before you sign a retainer agreement with an attorney, ask about their fees for handling your case. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t have to pay anything upfront for legal services, but instead, you will only be charged a percentage of any award or settlement that may be awarded in the case. Every firm is different so be sure to ask any attorney that you consult with their specific fees.
At The Sheldrick Law Firm, we understand how difficult it can be to face the headaches associated with an automobile accident. It all trickles down from having to negotiate with insurance adjusters just to get a "fair" mechanic rate on your car repair or getting low-balled when your vehicle is deemed totaled, to finding a "like kind and quality" rental car that the at-fault insurance company will actually cover. Oh, and let's not forget after your vehicle is repaired you now have an accident listed on the title of your vehicle. By having an accident on the title of your vehicle it becomes less valuable because a potential buyer may be deterred to buy your vehicle at the time of sale knowing that it has damage and they will not know when a new issue may arise due to the accident. Property damage could just be a portion of your accident problems, and the severity of your injuries could be detrimental, now finding a policy that will cover your damages could become an issue if the at-fault driver's insurance policy is little to no coverage and you don't carry your own under or uninsured motorists coverage policy. These are just a few of many different scenarios that can occur after being involved in an accident.
Florida's car accident attorney Kayla Sheldrick is here to help protect your rights, file diminished value and/or loss of use claims, advise you on your bodily injury claim in the event you are injured, and help you get the compensation you deserve after being in an accident.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident, don’t wait, contact us today for a free consultation about your case. We are here to fight for you!
Important Car Accident Questions that a lawyer will ask.
Who was at fault for the accident?
Where did the accident occur? City? State?
Do you have photos, videos, or witness statements from the accident?
What time of day was it and what were the road conditions?
Was anybody under the influence of drugs and or alcohol?
Provide a copy of the police report to the lawyer.
Did the paramedics come?
Did you seek medical attention and what is your current medical condition
What injuries did the accident cause to your body and/or any additional people that were involved in the accident?
Did the other driver have insurance and if so, what kind?
These are all important questions a lawyer may ask when consulting with one. Having this information at hand will greatly assist your lawyer in building a strong case on your behalf.
Important Reminder:
It is important that you don't wait too long before seeking legal counsel after being involved in an auto accident. Many states have statutes of limitations on filing claims, in the state of Florida you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to receive compensation for your injuries and damages.
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