If you’ve been in a collision, you may not fully understand whether you can pursue a lawsuit. It’s only natural, then, that a single question could be causing you significant stress: “Do I have to go to court after a car accident?”
Pursuing a claim after a car accident can be complex in most states, even more so in no-fault ones like Florida. But at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how difficult the legal process can be, especially if you’re struggling with serious injuries. Our car accident attorneys can help you understand what to expect and guide you through the entire process. For more information, please contact our law office at (904) 396-1100.
How Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Jacksonville, FL
If you have suffered significant injuries in a collision in Jacksonville, Florida, that occurred because of another party’s negligence or misconduct, you may be able to pursue a fault-based claim against those liable.
However, claims are complex legal proceedings that you shouldn’t undertake on your own, especially if you’ve suffered catastrophic harm, such as head trauma or spinal cord injuries. At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Jacksonville car accident attorneys can help by offering services such as:
- A free consultation
- An evaluation of your claim
- An investigation into the accident
- Establishing liability
- Managing your insurance claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court, if needed
We founded our firm in 2012, and since then, we’ve helped clients recover millions in verdicts and settlements. We are a client-centered group of attorneys who will always treat you with the compassion and respect you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case and legal options.
Understanding How Florida Insurance Laws Work
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that every driver must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. In the event that a crash results in property damage and injuries to your person, you can file a claim against your own insurance. PIP insurance won’t be enough, however, to cover the kinds of losses you sustain with a serious injury.
In particular, “serious injuries” in Florida involve the permanent or significant loss of bodily functions, scarring or other disfigurement, permanent injuries, and death. If you experience any of these, you can step outside of the state’s no-fault laws and pursue a lawsuit against the parties that caused the accident.
Because you’ll be pursuing a fault-based claim, you’ll need to demonstrate that the other party holds the majority of the blame for the collision. That means establishing that they owed you a responsibility to behave lawfully and drive safely that they then breached, as well as showing that their conduct resulted in your losses.
Is Going To Court A Requirement?
People often assume that filing a personal injury (or wrongful death) claim after a car accident means having to go to court. But that’s not necessarily the case. The first step in the process would be to attempt a settlement with the insurance companies.
Having an attorney can help streamline these negotiations and make them more likely to be successful. If you have a significant amount of evidence that shows the other party was negligent and their conduct resulted in your losses, insurers are also more likely to agree to a settlement.
More complex cases, including those that involve multiple parties or significant injuries, could be tougher to settle. Your lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve depending on the severity of your injuries; if insurers continue to make low offers, your counsel may recommend going to court.
As with other types of cases, going to court involves a discovery phase, wherein both sides share evidence and information that can help their attorneys prove liability. There will be depositions to gather information from witnesses, and negotiations will continue from there to see whether it’s possible to achieve a settlement.
Because trials take much longer and are more expensive than settlements, it is in everyone’s best interests to avoid them. Your lawyer will work hard for a settlement that provides the fair compensation you need but they’ll always be ready to take your case to court, if necessary.
Contact Our Jacksonville, FL, Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If your concerns about going to court are holding you back from pursuing a lawsuit after a car accident, keep in mind that the majority of personal injury claims are resolved via settlements. Yours has a fair chance of arriving at the same outcome if you have experienced Florida car accident lawyers by your side.
The team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the assistance you need after suffering losses in a collision. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced and dedicated Jacksonville car accident attorney.
Visit Our Car Accident Law Office In Jacksonville, FL
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105, Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Open 24 hours
