Car Accident Injury Lawyers Near Me: Best Lawyer for Car Accident

Quick Answer

Dolman Law Group represents people injured in car accidents throughout Florida, including Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and surrounding communities. Our attorneys investigate crashes, negotiate with insurance companies, and litigate serious injury claims when necessary.

Florida generally gives accident victims two years to file a negligence lawsuit for crashes occurring on or after March 24, 2023. The state also follows a modified comparative negligence rule that can prevent recovery when an injured person is more than 50% responsible for an accident.

With experienced trial attorneys, a history of multimillion-dollar case results, and free consultations, Dolman Law Group helps injured motorists understand their legal options and pursue compensation.

Quick Facts: Florida Car Accident Claims

• Service Area: Florida, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa Bay, and other communities.
• Filing Deadline: Generally two years for negligence claims arising on or after March 24, 2023, subject to exceptions.
• Comparative Negligence: Victims generally cannot recover negligence damages if they are more than 50% at fault.
• PIP Insurance: Florida generally requires $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage.
• Medical Treatment: Initial qualifying treatment must generally occur within 14 days to access PIP medical benefits.
• Legal Fees: Free consultations and contingency-fee representation.

Call us at 833-552-7274 (833-55-CRASH) or fill out our form for your free case review.

Instant Chat About Your Personal Injury Case

What Florida Laws Affect Your Car Accident Claim in 2026?

Florida car accident claims are governed by specific rules concerning filing deadlines, insurance coverage, and responsibility for an accident. Understanding these rules can help you protect your right to compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, most negligence-based car accident injury lawsuits arising on or after March 24, 2023, must be filed within two years. Florida House Bill 837 reduced the general negligence filing deadline from four years to two years.

Different deadlines or exceptions may apply depending on when the claim arose and the circumstances involved. Insurance notification deadlines may also be much shorter.

Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Partially at Fault?

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system under Florida Statutes § 768.81.

If you are partially responsible for a collision, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. In most negligence cases, however, someone found more than 50% responsible cannot recover damages.

For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 20% responsible, your recovery would generally be reduced to $80,000.

How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System Work?

Florida generally requires motorists to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP can pay certain medical expenses and lost income regardless of who caused the accident, subject to statutory requirements and limits.

To qualify for PIP medical benefits, injured motorists generally must receive qualifying initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. The full $10,000 medical benefit generally requires an emergency medical condition determination by an authorized provider; otherwise, medical benefits are generally limited to $2,500.

PIP does not automatically compensate victims for pain and suffering. Depending on the severity of the injuries, fault, and available insurance, an injured person may also have a liability claim against the responsible driver.

We Are a Car Accident Law Firm That Actually Litigates Injury Claims

Insurance Companies Don’t Want to Pay Your Claim. We’ll Fight For Your Future

Dolman Law Group has a successful history of litigating car accident claims for thousands of injured accident victims. We only represent people who are injured by someone else’s actions, and we are not afraid to litigate a claim if the insurance company won’t play fair.

Our firm fights to ensure clients seek compensation and receive fair compensation for their losses. Insurers often reach out quickly with an early offer that does not reflect the true value of a claim.

Unlike most other personal injury law firms, our Head of Litigation, Stan Gipe, is recognized as a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. This designation from the Florida Bar affirms that Stan is an expert in the field of civil litigation, and it shows in the substantial verdicts he has received for our clients.

Auto accident attorneys act as legal advocates, advisors, and negotiators for victims of car crashes, and often negotiate settlements to secure a fair settlement that truly reflects the victim’s losses.

Our founder, Matthew Dolman, has also served as lead counsel in over 1,000 personal injury lawsuits. Combined, Stan and Matt have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for Floridians injured in accidents.

Why Our Litigation Track Record is Important

Dolman Law Group has reported resolving 27 individual serious injury cases for $1 million or more each. These results reflect our experience handling high-value injury litigation and preparing claims for trial when necessary. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.

At Dolman Law Group, our goal in every case is to recover the maximum compensation for our clients within the available insurance coverage. Insurance carriers know our firm and how our legal team handles every personal injury case we accept. We will never settle your claim for an unreasonable amount.

The one thing an insurance company hates the most is spending money. These are giant for-profit corporations that must answer to shareholders. When an insurance carrier acts unreasonably, our car accident attorneys make them spend more money defending the claim.  We have no qualms about filing a lawsuit and forcing the insurance company to hire and retain lawyers and expert witnesses to defend a serious injury claim.

All insurance carriers keep detailed notes on the lawyers and law firms they encounter. As a result. we believe our law firm’s claims are taken very seriously, and we receive better settlement offers for basic car accident cases than other firms get. If this holds true for injury claims related to minor car accidents, someone who suffers severe injuries and financial losses will certainly benefit from working with the tenacious legal professionals at Dolman Law Group.

Do I Need an Auto Accident Lawyer?

We’ll Protect You From the Insurance Companies

Some general truths apply to all motor vehicle accidents. No matter how you are injured, every car accident victim is vulnerable to insurance company tactics if they don’t have a skilled attorney representing them.

Insurance carriers like State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, and many others are mega-corporations that make a ton of money by effectively keeping costs low and profits high. They do this by offering as little as possible in car accident settlement negotiations by employing skilled and aggressive claims adjusters and attorneys who try to poke holes in what may otherwise appear to be a clear-cut insurance claim. 

Keep in mind that the other driver’s insurance company and your Car Insurance company are focused on minimizing payouts, not protecting your interests.

Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance before speaking with a lawyer!

Insurance companies know which attorneys and law firms will go to trial and which will settle quickly and leave money on the table. To properly protect yourself against the insurance companies’ deep pockets and experienced lawyers, it is essential that you work with a car accident lawyer who has extensive experience handling car crash cases.

We Can Determine Every Party That’s at Fault

Assigning fault after an accident is not always easy. While most car accidents involve driver negligence, sometimes multiple people or businesses may be responsible for causing an accident that leads to serious injuries.

For example, a few years ago, National Transportation Safety Board officials ruled that the Tesla lithium-ion traction battery was partially responsible for a fiery crash that killed two teenage boys. The crash occurred when the 18-year-old driver of the Tesla lost control of the vehicle while driving at 116 miles per hour. The crash resulted in the death of the driver and his front-seat passenger. Both boys were days away from graduating from high school at the time of the accident.

The NTSB ruled that high speed was the primary cause of the crash, but the battery contributed to the severity of the crash, as it caught on fire due to crash damage. Our auto crash attorneys understand how to dig deep and determine if someone besides the other driver can be held liable.

While this is an extreme case, it illustrates that you may be eligible to recover compensation from several parties after an accident injuring you or a loved one. Call the compassionate car accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group to ensure your legal rights are fully protected. We will listen to you, fully investigate your unique circumstances, and see how we can protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve.

Police reports and a thorough understanding of car accident laws are essential in establishing fault and supporting your claim, as they provide critical evidence and clarify whether any violations contributed to the accident.

Our goal is to identify all potential damages the car accident victim may be entitled to. This includes economic and non-economic damages. To properly protect yourself against the insurance companies’ deep pockets in car crash cases, work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can address all medical bills and future medical care costs along with any possible lost earning capacity.

Common Types of Crashes Our Auto Accident Attorneys Handle

Many different situations can pose a risk of injury or even death, depending on the circumstances. Factors can include:

• How fast the vehicles were going
• Whether the occupants were wearing seat belts
• Whether the collision involved a:
  • truck accident,
  • pedestrian accident, or a
  • motorcycle accident
• The size difference between the cars and objects involved in the collision

Some of the more common types of auto accidents and car wreck cases include:

Head-on collisions: While head-on collisions account for a very small number of accidents across the nation, they involve a comparatively high number of fatalities due to the violence of these accidents. The danger of head-on collisions lies in the speed at which each vehicle travels. The forward motion of the vehicles when they collide increases the energy of the impact, especially when vehicles are hit head-on.

Rear-end accidents: Rear-end accidents are commonly caused when the following vehicle is traveling too close to the lead vehicle and cannot to stop safely when the lead vehicle suddenly stops or slows. While rear-end accidents are often considered minor, there are around 1.7 million rear-end collisions in the U.S. each year, accounting for around 1,700 deaths and half a million injuries.

T-bone collisions: This accident most commonly happens at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle. T-bone collisions tend to be particularly dangerous for occupants sitting on the side of the struck vehicle due to a lack of protection on the sides of its structure.

Sideswipe accidents: Sideswipe accidents occur when a vehicle fails to maintain its own lane, drifting or swerving into another traffic lane, or when one driver attempts to change lanes without ensuring that the lane they are merging into is clear.

Chain reaction crashes: Often, a two-vehicle crash occurs, and the impact of the collision causes one of the vehicles to crash into a third vehicle. Many vehicles may be involved in interstate accidents, commonly known as a pileup.

Single-vehicle accidents: A study revealed that, while most drivers worry about being killed in an accident with another vehicle, the most common type of car accident, which results in more than half of all traffic-related fatalities, is the single-vehicle crash.

Other common types of car accidents include multi-vehicle accidents, hit-and-run incidents, rideshare accidents, and rollover accidents, and any serious auto wreck can cause severe injuries or fatalities. Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous types of car accidents, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities due to the vehicle’s roof collapsing during the rollover.

Who Pays for Injuries in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida?

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida, the available insurance coverage depends largely on what the rideshare driver was doing when the crash occurred.

Florida law establishes different insurance requirements based on the driver’s status in the rideshare application.

Driver Status	Insurance Coverage
App off	The driver’s applicable personal automobile insurance
App on, waiting for a ride request	At least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage
Ride accepted or passenger onboard	At least $1 million in primary automobile liability coverage

The required rideshare coverage may be provided by the driver, the rideshare company, or a combination of policies, depending on the circumstances.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rideshare Accident?

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The Uber or Lyft driver
• Another negligent motorist
• A vehicle owner or other legally responsible party
• A rideshare company, when an independent basis for liability exists

Uber and Lyft accidents can involve complicated insurance questions, particularly when insurers dispute the driver’s app status or which policy applies.

Dolman Law Group represents injured motorists and passengers in serious vehicle accident claims, including crashes involving rideshare vehicles.

What Can Cause an Auto Accident?

There are many reasons why car accidents happen, mostly related to human error and negligence. Here are some of the top causes of collisions:

Speeding: In one recent year, speeding killed more than 12,000 people nationwide, making it one of the most deadly causes of car accidents. Speeding involves not only exceeding the posted speed limit but also driving too fast for roadway or weather conditions. Speeding is so dangerous because it reduces the time a driver has to perceive a danger on the roadway. This increases the distance that the vehicle needs to come to a safe stop or avoid a collision and reduces the effectiveness of the vehicle’s protective features, such as seat belts, airbags, and steel frames.

Reckless driver: Accidents are often caused by a reckless driver whose negligent or dangerous behavior—such as aggressive lane changes, tailgating, or ignoring traffic laws—puts everyone at risk. Victims of crashes caused by reckless drivers may need to seek legal action to obtain compensation for their injuries and damages.

Distracted driving: A distracted driver poses a major hazard to others on the roadway. There are three types of distractions:

• Manual distractions cause the driver to take their hands from the wheel.
• Visual distractions draw the driver’s eyes from the road.
• Cognitive distractions take the driver’s attention away from the task of driving.

Texting is one of the worst examples of distracted driving because it results in all three types of distractions. Other common causes of driver distraction include other cell phone use, such as email or social media; eating or drinking; adjusting the vehicle or stereo controls; visiting with other occupants in the vehicle; or external distractions, such as billboards, people in other cars, or rubbernecking past other accidents.

Alcohol impairment: Drunk driving results in more than 10,000 deaths a year. In the U.S., a person dies in an alcohol-related crash every 48 minutes, and the cost to society of alcohol-related accidents is around $44 billion a year. Alcohol impairment produces deficits in many skills a person needs for the safe operation of a motor vehicle, including the ability to track moving targets, steer and brake effectively, respond appropriately to emergency driving situations, and concentrate.

Fatigued driving: Drowsy driving presents many of the same impacts on a person’s skills needed for driving. While any driver is at risk of drowsy driving, long-haul truck drivers, shift workers, and those who suffer from sleep apnea are especially prone to the hazards of driving while fatigued. The effect of this condition is often extreme drowsiness, even if the person gets a healthy amount of rest.

Confusion/getting lost: Drivers who are lost or who have missed their turn tend to make more errors, such as changing lanes without ensuring that the lane they’re changing to is clear or turning the wrong way onto a one-way road.

Defective car parts: In the above article regarding the 2018 Tesla accident in Florida, the battery on the vehicle was found to have increased the severity of the crash. Manufacturers and distributors of auto parts are legally required to ensure that those parts are safe for use when used as instructed on the product’s label. Those who fail to do so can be found liable for the injuries and deaths that result from the part’s malfunction.

Lack of maintenance: A poorly maintained vehicle is a dangerous vehicle. Certain parts can malfunction due to a lack of maintenance and cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle. Tires are one of these parts. When a tire blows, it causes the vehicle to pull dramatically to the side where the blowout occurs. Additionally, the tire pieces can create a hazard to other drivers by either striking other vehicles or producing debris on the roadway. Disabled vehicles on the side of the road are also hazardous, as they distract other drivers.

Common Injuries Our Car Accidents Attorneys Handle

Nearly every part of the body can be injured in a car accident, depending on the circumstances of the crash. The injuries sustained can be life-threatening and life-altering. It is always essential to obtain immediate medical assistance. you can worry about picking the right lawyer later. The dedicated car crash lawyers at Dolman Law Group have experience handling cases involving these injuries and more:

Brain injuries: Motor vehicle accidents are one of the top causes of traumatic brain injury due to a sudden jolt or blow to the head. Brain injuries can result in death or permanent, life-changing injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury and the portion of the brain that was damaged, those living with brain injuries may experience deficits in memory, coordination, communication, and movement.

Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries, along with brain injuries, are among the most serious and life-altering. The spinal cord extends from the base of the skull all the way to the lower back, near the waist. The higher up the injury occurs, the more serious the injury.

Damage to the cervical spine (neck injury) may result in tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, which is the loss of sensation and function to all limbs, the chest, torso, and pelvis. Significant injuries occurring lower on the spine, in the thoracic or lumbar region, may result in paraplegia, which is the loss of function and sensation to the legs and pelvis. Currently, there is no cure for spinal cord injuries. Prompt medical attention from a medical professional and thorough treatment are key in retaining as much function below the injury as possible.

Broken bones: Broken bones can lead to loss of function in a limb and chronic pain. They can even place the patient at risk of infection if the bone protrudes through the skin or internal damage if the jagged fragments of bone contact internal organs, as is often the case with broken ribs. In addition to fractures, clients may have sustained internal injuries from blunt force trauma that can damage organs such as the liver or lungs and may require immediate medical intervention.

Burns: Hot metal, caustic chemicals, and the potential for a vehicle to catch on fire following an accident all make burns a common injury for car accident victims. In addition to producing scarring, which may require skin grafts to repair, burns also increase the risk of infections and can cause impaired breathing if the burn is located near the airway.

Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash is a type of soft tissue injury that is often considered “minor.” However, patients who suffer whiplash and other soft tissue injuries often struggle with chronic pain long after healing. Neck pain is a common symptom of whiplash, especially after rear-end collisions, and many clients have sustained injuries resulting in ongoing neck discomfort and stiffness that may require extended recovery. Herniated discs can also result from the impact of a car crash and may require extensive treatment. Our attorneys handle car crash injuries that involve serious soft tissue damage and long-term care needs. In some cases, our clients have required neck surgery, and Dolman Law Group has successfully resolved such claims on many occasions.

Amputated limbs: In severe crashes, an individual may lose a limb torn or crushed by jagged, heavy metal. Limb amputations may also occur when treating the injury medically, in cases where the limb is too damaged to repair.

What Type of Lawyer Handles Car Accidents?

Any licensed attorney in your state can technically take on a car accident claim. However, a Personal Injury Law Firm with experience handling vehicle collision claims is usually the strongest choice after a serious wreck, especially when evolving traffic safety rules and medical billing issues can affect the value of your claim.

A personal injury lawyer with negotiating and trial experience understands the complexities of these cases, how to recover the most money for Personal Injury Clients, and how local courts and filing deadlines can shape the best path forward.

At Dolman Law Group, we have significant experience holding negligent drivers responsible for the injuries they cause. Our Florida car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Tampa Bay region, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, and surrounding communities.

With an established presence in St. Petersburg and experience litigating serious injury claims throughout Florida, our team understands the legal challenges accident victims face when dealing with insurers, disputed liability, and complex medical evidence.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

You should consider speaking with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible if you suffered significant injuries, missed work, received an inadequate insurance offer, or face a dispute over who caused the crash. Early legal representation can help preserve evidence, document your losses, and prevent insurance negotiations from compromising your claim.

A car accident injury attorney will advocate for you after you are injured in an auto accident case and protect your legal interests against individuals and entities who might try to deny or impede your rights. For example, the at-fault driver’s insurance and their aggressive defense attorneys are usually trying to blame the accident on the other party, or at least, not admit any fault, instead of admitting their own responsibility and paying out a fair settlement like insurance companies are supposed to.

During what can be a difficult and confusing period for you and your family, attorneys provide an impartial, rational perspective. They can help you make informed decisions in a timely manner despite the emotional and financial challenges you are also facing.

Finally, an experienced car accident attorney is your representative while pursuing your legal right to justice and a fair outcome. Whether through negotiated settlements or verdicts after jury trials, your dedicated injury lawyer is committed to the best possible resolutions under your circumstances. The sooner you partner with a car accident lawyer after an accident, the sooner they can start protecting you and your right to receive the compensation you deserve.

We have successfully resolved numerous claims wherein our client sustained an injury and received a lowball offer before hiring Dolman Law Group. Proving fault is not an easy task and insurance companies aggressively defend these types of claims.

How Do I Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?

Although it’s challenging to know whether a car crash lawyer is reputable and a good match for you, it’s worth taking the time to investigate your options. You can learn about prospective lawyers by looking online at law firm websites and by searching for legal licensing information. When reviewing a law firm’s website, be sure to read client reviews and testimonials to learn how prior clients were treated and more about their experience with the firm’s lawyers. Also, take a look at case results to see what types of cases the firm handles and how successful it has been.

As part of your selection process, look for car accident attorneys who offer a free case review, so you can receive an initial consultation and legal evaluation at no cost and with no obligation.

Car accident lawyers are licensed by the state where they practice, and this is who grants the lawyer their bar license. In most states, the licensing is managed by the state bar or the state bar association. In 44 states and Washington D.C., you can search the online database to more easily determine whether an attorney is licensed and active, has no past infractions, and is in good standing. You can search the American Bar Association’s database as well.

Should I Consult With an Auto Accident Attorney if My Car Accident Was Minor?

Even if your crash was fairly minor, you won’t know if you’re getting the best settlement offer from the insurance coverage without the help of an experienced attorney. In fact, you should never accept a settlement offer without speaking to a qualified personal injury lawyer first. At Dolman Law Group, we always offer free consultations and a free case evaluation, so it won’t cost you anything to learn whether your pending settlement is fair. However, it could cost you dearly if you accept an offer that doesn’t cover all of your future needs.

Beyond legal help, you should always see a doctor as soon as reasonably possible, even if you do not feel or see an immediate injury. Your adrenaline rises during an accident, and you may not feel pain or realize you have a serious medical concern until that excitement has died down.

Always take advantage of a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. Reputable attorneys offer free consultations so prospective clients are aware of their options and can make the best decision without wasting their time or resources with upfront fees. Also, avoid admitting fault or speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance until you have spoken with a competent and experienced injury lawyer at Dolman Law Group.

Hire an Attorney From a Tough, Reputable Firm, Not a Settlement Mill

Take the time to find the best car accident attorney for your legal process. Do your research and be diligent. Some firms make money by accepting a large volume of smaller cases and settling them as quickly as possible. These are known as settlement mills. You can usually spot them by their flashy advertising.

Instead of relying on ads, do some research, read reviews, check the firms’ results, and call around to find the best car accident lawyer for your needs. Finding a reputable personal injury attorney is the first step to obtaining the settlement you need to move forward.

Settlement mills do not rely on current or former clients to refer their friends and family to them, so they can afford to employ a “mill mentality” in handling their cases. Most personal injury attorneys at these firms take very few cases to trial, even if the situation requires it. Settlement mills tend to leave money on the table at the time of settlement because they are more concerned with resolving a volume of personal injury cases each month to pay their expensive advertising budget.

Remember that even an average trial lawyer is better than a settlement mill because the insurance carrier must spend money defending a case that has advanced far in litigation or goes to a jury trial. The goal of any insurance carrier is to save money, and forcing them to run up costs gets their immediate attention.

Factors to Consider in Selecting the Best Auto Accident Attorney

Some factors to consider when selecting the best car accident attorney for your case include the following.

• Does the law firm have a reputation for taking cases to trial? A law firm or individual attorney who rarely tries cases before juries and does not aggressively litigate their cases will be forced to accept the insurance company’s offer, whether it is fair or not. Thus, it is essential to retain a law firm known for litigating cases, not one that poses a minimal risk to the insurance company and will often leave money on the table.
• Does the law firm have the financial resources to retain the best experts? We devote significant financial resources to our biggest and most complicated cases at Dolman Law Group. To thoroughly understand and demonstrate the harm and losses our clients have sustained, we retain nationally recognized experts to level the playing field with the biggest insurance carriers and corporate giants. Our firm has litigated car accident lawsuits against some of the biggest companies in the world, and we have the financial means to take on any corporation, regardless of size.
• Is the law firm committed to a thorough investigation of your case? A strong case requires a meticulous and comprehensive approach—gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, and reviewing all reports. Make sure your auto accident attorneys are dedicated to a thorough investigation to build the best possible case on your behalf.
• Has the law firm handled and litigated catastrophic injury claims? Many law firms lack experience handling catastrophic injury claims such as traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs/amputations, burn injuries, and other life-altering tragic events. If you have suffered a serious accident with severe injuries, you need to know whether the law firm is operating out of its comfort zone and whether it has the necessary financial resources to handle your case. Look at the lawyers’ prior experience to know whether they can truly maximize the compensation for clients who will likely require lifetime care.

How Much Is a Florida Car Accident Settlement Worth in 2026?

A Florida car accident settlement depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, available insurance coverage, and who caused the crash. Minor injuries may result in relatively modest settlements, while catastrophic injuries involving permanent disabilities or lifelong medical care can justify substantially larger claims. There is no guaranteed settlement amount.

How Does Injury Severity Affect Settlement Value?

Injury Severity	Examples	Potential Settlement Considerations
Minor	Bruising, strains, temporary soft tissue injuries	Limited medical treatment, short recovery, minimal lost wages
Moderate	Fractures, herniated discs, injuries requiring surgery	Significant medical expenses, lost income, ongoing symptoms
Catastrophic	Traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, permanent disabilities	Long-term care, substantial lost earning capacity, permanent impairment

Settlement values also depend on liability, the strength of the evidence, insurance policy limits, and the impact of the injuries on the victim’s life.

Dolman Law Group evaluates these factors to determine what compensation may be available and whether an insurance company’s settlement offer reasonably reflects the client’s losses.

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer if PIP Covers My Medical Bills?

You may still benefit from hiring a Florida car accident lawyer even if your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers some medical expenses. PIP generally pays 80% of eligible medical expenses and 60% of covered lost income, subject to policy limits and statutory requirements. It does not necessarily cover all losses caused by a serious accident.

When Can a Florida Car Accident Claim Go Beyond PIP?

Under Florida Statutes § 627.737, injured motorists generally must satisfy the state’s serious injury threshold to recover pain and suffering damages in cases subject to Florida’s no-fault law.

Qualifying injuries include:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

An injured person may also pursue certain economic damages beyond available PIP benefits, subject to applicable law and insurance coverage.

What Happens if You Don’t See a Doctor Within 14 Days?

Florida law generally requires qualifying initial medical treatment within 14 days of a motor vehicle accident to receive PIP medical benefits.

Missing this deadline can prevent payment of those medical benefits, even if injuries become apparent later. However, missing the PIP treatment deadline does not automatically eliminate a separate negligence claim against an at-fault driver.

An attorney can review the available insurance coverage, medical evidence, and potential liability claims to determine whether additional compensation may be available.

What Damages Can You Pursue in a Car Accident Claim?

After a car accident, a victim can file a car accident claim with the at-fault party’s liability insurance to pursue compensation for damages, including property damage, personal property, as well as physical and financial losses. These are losses associated with your accident and severe car accident injuries. This can also include damage to other personal property involved in the collision.

You could incur two types of damages from a car accident: economic and non-economic. Economic damages, or special damages, are those that affect someone’s finances, such as the monetary charges they incur from their injuries. Non-economic damages are intangible losses that affect a car accident victim’s mental health and quality of life.

Here are some damages you could pursue through a car accident claim:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of parental services
• Funeral and burial costs

In a fatal crash, surviving family members may also have a wrongful death claim for losses allowed by law.

How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take?

Each auto accident lawsuit is factually different, so the time to resolve them varies depending on various factors:

• The insurance carrier(s) and adjuster(s) involved
• Past and future medical treatment
• Any witnesses involved
• Whether liability is determined or if either party tries to admit fault, since disputes over responsibility can affect timing

Depending on the factors above, your lawsuit may take anywhere from several months to one or two years. Some claims resolve in negotiation, while others require a personal injury lawsuit when liability or damages are contested. To learn more about how long a car accident case may take, reach out for a free consultation today.

Can I Afford to Work With a Car Crash Lawyer?

Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay attorney’s fees unless you receive compensation for your losses. Also, since our initial case reviews are free, you will have no upfront costs if you decide to let our team protect your rights and bring an injury claim on your behalf. We will discuss the contingency fee agreement during your free consultation and before you ever commit to working with our auto accident attorneys.

How Long Do I Have to Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

In personal injury cases, time is of the essence when hiring a personal injury attorney because doing so is imperative to maximizing the value of your case. Much of your case comes down to the timing and nature of the treatment you receive, gathering evidence from the accident scene, identifying eyewitnesses who saw the accident, and documenting your recovery. By quickly hiring a personal injury attorney after your accident, you provide your attorney with the greatest opportunity to achieve the best possible compensation for your personal injury claim.

How Can I Maximize My Car Accident Settlement?

You can maximize your personal injury claim by working with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you seek compensation by collecting evidence and acting promptly. Key steps include:

• Find witnesses
• Document your injuries in great detail
• Keep all documents (medical records, hospital bills, insurance information, police report, witness information, etc.)
• Collect police reports to establish fault and reconstruct the events of the accident
• Help you document the limitations your injury imposes on your daily life

It is equally important that you follow your medical provider’s treatment plan and that you always attend scheduled appointments because doing so decreases the legitimacy of your claim to the adjuster evaluating the same.

A Car Crash Attorney Can Negotiate With the Insurance Company From a Position of Strength

One option for seeking accountability and compensation available to car accident victims and their lawyers is to negotiate with parties with legal liability for the crash, their insurance carriers, and the other driver’s insurance.

Perhaps the most significant consideration in that regard is the lawyer’s assessment of when the client’s case has reached peak strength since that is usually the most advantageous moment to seek a fair payment from the insurer.

An Attorney Can Defeat the Underhanded Tactics Used by Insurance Carriers

Car accident lawyers and their clients cannot always dictate the terms of negotiations. Insurance companies have a bag of tricks they often deploy in hopes of minimizing the amount of money they need to spend to escape liability for an accident. One such tactic is negotiating directly with a victim before the victim has a chance to hire a car accident lawyer.

The insurance companies hope to catch accident victims at a vulnerable moment and convince them to jump at what is almost always a lowball settlement offer. Underhanded tactics like this illustrate why we believe it is crucial for accident victims to retain experienced car accident injury counsel immediately.

Dealing with aggressive insurance adjusters is much easier when all you have to say is, “Talk to my lawyer.” Letting a collision attorney take over discussions with the insurance company levels the playing field and lets you decide when your case is strong enough to press your advantage.

Not Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Costs You Money

Studies have shown that not hiring an attorney after a car accident can cost you money – potentially lots of it. Crash victims who are not represented by legal counsel tend to receive substantially less money than those who work with experienced lawyers. This is true even after legal fees are paid. Let me repeat that…. Victims with actual legal representation receive much higher settlements than individuals who handle their own claim.

Also, those who wait to hire a lawyer may also be disadvantaged. The fact is, the older a case is when an attorney takes it, the more evidence can become stale, and the investigation will be more difficult. Witnesses’ memories fade, first responders move on, and accident scenes get cleaned up. The passage of time steadily eats away at the money an accident victim might hope to recover.

You must also understand how the statute of limitations will affect your case. Every state has a law that sets the deadline by which an accident victim can file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your legal rights to compensation altogether.

In Florida, most negligence-based car accident injury claims arising on or after March 24, 2023, are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. Claims arising before that date may be governed by different deadlines. Wrongful death claims and cases involving government entities may also have distinct requirements.

Dolman Law Group also assists clients with matters involving other jurisdictions, where filing deadlines vary by state. Regardless of where an accident occurred, contacting an attorney promptly can help preserve evidence and protect important legal rights.

Further, it is important to file your insurance claim or at least place your insurance company on notice of the claim as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the insurance carrier can deny the validity of your claim by arguing it went beyond a reasonable time period to report such.

In other words, if you wait too long to hire a good auto accident attorney after a car accident, your claim will be worthless. Placing your case in a lawyer’s hands as soon as possible also comes with the benefit of giving your legal team the additional time they need to gather the evidence needed to build a solid legal claim.

The team at Dolman Law Group will ensure all documents are filed correctly and within your state’s statute of limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Car Accident Claims

How Much Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Florida?

There is no reliable average that predicts an individual settlement. Compensation depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, liability, and available insurance coverage.

Does Florida PIP Cover All My Medical Bills?

No. Florida PIP generally covers 80% of eligible medical expenses, subject to statutory limits. Additional compensation may be available through a liability claim or other applicable insurance.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?

Most negligence claims arising on or after March 24, 2023, have a two-year filing deadline. Exceptions and different deadlines may apply, so it is important to have an attorney review your case promptly.

Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s First Settlement Offer?

Not without understanding the full extent of your injuries and losses. Early offers may not account for future medical treatment, lost earning capacity, or permanent disabilities.

How Long Does a Florida Car Accident Case Take?

Some claims settle within a few months, while complicated cases can take a year or longer. The timeline depends on medical treatment, liability disputes, insurance negotiations, and whether litigation becomes necessary.

How Much Does a Florida Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Dolman Law Group handles car accident claims on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorney fees are generally contingent on obtaining a recovery. Consultations are free, and the firm explains its fee agreement and responsibility for case costs before representation begins.

Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?

Yes, in many cases. Florida generally reduces negligence damages according to your percentage of fault, but its modified comparative negligence rule usually prevents recovery when you are more than 50% responsible.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

Not every minor accident requires an attorney. However, a free consultation can help you determine whether your injuries, insurance issues, or potential future expenses justify legal representation.

Trust the Car Accident Lawyers at Dolman Law Group to Protect Your Rights After a Car Crash

A car accident generally occurs in seconds. However, the consequences of accident injuries resulting from a car accident may last a lifetime. Our firm also handles wrongful death cases and cases involving police officers, ensuring that Injury Victims and their families receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Talk to a car accident lawyer at Dolman Law Group about your accident to discover if compensation is available to help pay for the enormous expenses your injuries have caused, though recovery may also depend on available insurance coverage, including uninsured motorist coverage in some cases when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage. 

Contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, for a free case review or consultation by calling 833-55-CRASH (833-552-7274) or by contacting us online.

We look forward to helping you.

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