Car accidents can happen anywhere, even in quaint, beautiful communities like Aventura, Florida. Maybe you were injured by a distracted driver near the Aventura Mall or rear-ended when pulling into Five Guys. Perhaps you were t-boned on Biscayne Boulevard or side-swiped on I-95.

Regardless of the type of collision that happened, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries if someone else was at fault. At Dolman Law Group, our Aventura car accident lawyers fight for car accident victims like you. We always offer a free consultation to discuss your case and your legal rights.

Common Auto Accident Injuries Resolved by Our Aventura Car Accident Attorneys

Car collisions range from minor fender benders, or t-bone crashes to catastrophic accidents that require the jaws of life to remove trapped and injured passengers. At Dolman Law Group, our Aventura auto accident law firm has helped victims with all kinds of injuries, including the following:

Soft-tissue injuries like sprains and strains
Nerve damage, including pinched nerves
First-, second-, and third-degree burns
Spinal cord injuries, including herniated disks, fractured vertebrae, and collapsed vertebrae
Broken bones, including fractured or shattered bones
Joint injuries in the hips or shoulders
Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
Neck injuries like whiplash
Cuts, scrapes, abrasions, and lacerations

When you are in a car crash, you must treat every injury seriously and seek immediate medical treatment. To protect your legal rights, don't delay getting the care you need.

Aventura Automobile Accidents and Florida's No-Fault Insurance Laws

As a no-fault state, Florida requires people who own and register a car to have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection benefits, called “PIP.” If you are involved in an accident, you must first file a claim with your personal injury protection insurer, regardless of who caused the crash. For example, someone might have rear-ended you as you pulled out of the mall, but you still start by contacting your insurer instead of the responsible party's company.

PIP benefits are very skimpy. They only cover up to 80% of reasonable medical care and up to 60% of lost wages, and only up to your policy limit. Unless you have an emergency medical condition, you can receive only $2,500 of benefits. With the ever-increasing cost of medical care, $2,500—or even $10,000—is not very much money. The aftermath of even minor crashes could cost well over $10,000.

Only after you have exhausted your PIP benefits can you seek compensation from another driver if they were responsible for the collision. Hopefully, this driver carries bodily injury insurance, which can cover the rest of your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, drivers are not required to carry bodily injury insurance, so few have it. If they don't, you should check whether you have underinsured/uninsured motorist (UM) coverage with your insurer, which will pay benefits if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient bodily injury insurance.

Drivers without UM coverage should meet with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss other possible options.

Avoid the Stress, Let an Aventura Car Accident Lawyer Negotiate with the Insurers

Insurance companies make money by collecting premiums, but they are very stingy when it comes to paying out claims to injured motorists. Increasingly, insurance companies attempt to deny claims or throw a blizzard of paperwork in front of injured victims, who are often too confused to know how to respond.

Insurance companies have also been known to make insultingly low offers and manipulate the statements well-intending claimants give them. If the insurance company can make it appear as though you have admitted guilt or fault for the accident in some way, they may be able to get away with reducing or denying the benefits that are rightfully yours.

At Dolman Law Group, we can relieve the stress of dealing with insurance companies—whether it's your company or another driver's insurer. We will listen to your side of the story and negotiate with the insurance companies for a fair settlement for your injuries.

However, it is important to remember that a potential insurance settlement may not adequately cover the total extent of your damages. When the insurance company is not obligated to pay out beyond the limits of your policy, you may need to seek recovery of your remaining damages through a civil car accident lawsuit in Aventura.

Protecting Your Rights After a Collision

The minutes and days following an accident are critical, and we have seen many clients undermine their ability to receive compensation by making common mistakes. After your accident, remember the following:

Don't admit responsibility for the crash. Chances are, you don't know what really caused the accident, so there is no need to claim otherwise. Even a simple “I'm sorry” can be used against you.
Find witnesses, if possible. A disinterested third party makes a compelling witness for the crash. Get their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If possible, ask what they saw. A dedicated car crash lawyer can help locate witnesses and take their statements for you.
Take pictures of the accident scene if you are physically able. Most smartphones have a camera, so use it to take pictures of where the vehicles ended up, any skid marks, etc. You might need to move your car out of the way after a crash, but try to get at least one picture of where the car ended up.
Report the accident as soon as possible to your insurer. Read your policy to see how much time you have. It is better not to delay. Your attorney can explain your policy and coverage and contact your insurer.
Never sign anything sent to you by an insurance agent without first reviewing it with a lawyer.
Never accept a settlement from an insurer without first talking to a lawyer. You do not know how much your injuries are worth, and insurance companies are not in the habit of being generous. You may be able to secure more compensation if you wait.

Often, accidents have more than one cause, and maybe you contributed to your accident in some way. For example, you might have been speeding when someone struck you, or you might have been distracted by reading a text message in the moments leading up to a collision.

Fortunately, Florida law does not prevent partially responsible victims from suing for their injuries. As long as someone else is at least 1% responsible for the crash, you can bring a lawsuit under Florida Statutes § 768.81. Your contributory negligence does not act as a bar.

However, the amount of compensation you eventually receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, your injuries might be worth $100,000, but if you were 50% responsible for the accident, you would only receive $50,000. If you were 75% responsible, you would only receive $25,000.

Common Aventura Car Accident Injuries Worth Claiming

It is more common than you might think for Aventura car accident victims to be unsure whether they should contact a lawyer for help. Many have concerns that their injuries may not be considered severe enough to warrant legal action.

However, it is important to remember that the right to compensation is not dependent on the type of injury you sustained. Rather, the extent that your life has been affected will determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

With that being said, there are many types of injuries you may suffer in an Aventura car accident. These include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Other head injuries
Whiplash
Back injuries
Herniated discs
Neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis
Loss of limbs
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depression
Anxiety
Other emotional injuries
Abrasions, conclusions, and lacerations
Sepsis
Organ failure
Internal injuries
Compound fractures
Bone breaks
Facial injuries

These are only a few of the different types of injuries you could endure in an Aventura car crash. If you have suffered another type of injury not listed above, we can further discuss your legal options for financial recovery.

The Statute of Limitations for Aventura Car Accidents

One of the biggest mistakes car accident victims in Aventura make is failing to contact an attorney before the statute of limitations expires. Florida law allows for a maximum of four years following a car accident before the statute of limitations runs out (Florida Statutes § 95.11), and you are barred from filing a civil lawsuit for your damages.

If you attempt to file your lawsuit after the statute of limitations deadline has passed, the judge will likely dismiss your case. You can avoid missing the statute of limitations in your case by contacting a lawyer soon after your collision to get started on your case in a timely manner.

Contact an Aventura Car Accident Lawyer at Dolman Law Group Today

If you have been involved in a car wreck, reach out to Dolman Law Group now. Our Aventura personal injury lawyers understand the ins and outs of car accident lawsuits and insurance claims. When you partner with one of our Aventura car accident lawyers, we promise to work tirelessly to hold the liable party accountable so you can recover fair compensation for your damages.

Please call (954) 302-7068 or send us an online message. Initial consultations and case evaluations are free for car accident victims in Aventura and surrounding cities.

Aventura Office
20803 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 101,
Aventura, FL 33180
(954) 302-7068

What Our Clients Have to Say:

“So happy I chose Dolman Law Group!!! My experience with the law firm right from the start was fast, friendly and understanding. I started treatment for my injury right away, and while I was focusing on getting better the firm was fighting for me. Incredibly happy with the outcome, thank you to Brent and the team for all the hard work and updates.”

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chelsey Lambert
January 2019
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Aventura Car Accident Lawyer