Car accidents in Jacksonville, Florida, can leave you facing serious injuries, steep medical costs, and confusion over who’s responsible. Florida’s no-fault insurance system might complicate things even more—especially if multiple drivers are involved.
At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. We’re here to help you understand liability and seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact our law offices or call us at (904) 396-1100 for a free consultation with a Jacksonville car accident lawyer.
How Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Prove Liability After a Car Accident in Jacksonville, FL
Navigating Florida’s no-fault system, determining liability, and handling insurance adjusters can be a challenge. Hiring an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney can make all the difference.
At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record in car accident cases and know how to:
- Investigate the crash: We’ll collect police reports, medical records, and any available footage of the crash to build your case.
- Negotiate with insurers: Insurance companies may offer lowball settlements or try to shift blame. We’ll fight for a fair amount.
- Calculate your damages: We factor in medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering to seek the compensation you deserve.
- Prepare for trial if needed: Our team isn’t afraid to go to court when it’s in your best interest, and our success record speaks for itself.
With our vast experience, we have the insight and resources to get you winning results. Contact us today in Jacksonville, FL, for a free case review.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws and Liability
Florida is one of the few states that uses a no-fault car insurance setup. After a crash, drivers typically turn to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the collision. This is meant to speed up the compensation process and reduce lawsuits.
However, PIP coverage is limited, and you may need more compensation than what it provides. Florida law allows you to file a claim against the at-fault driver if you have a serious injury or if another exception applies.
These injuries can include significant or permanent disabilities, extensive scarring, or other long-lasting conditions. If you meet this threshold, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and potentially recover more than PIP alone would offer.
Determining Who Is Liable in a Jacksonville Car Accident
Even though Florida is a no-fault state, liability still matters if you are eligible to file a claim against the responsible party. To prove that another driver caused your accident, you’ll need to show that they behaved negligently in most cases.
Common examples of careless or reckless driving include:
- Running a red light or speeding
- Driving while distracted, such as texting
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Ignoring vehicle maintenance, leading to unsafe conditions
- Negligent hiring, if a commercial driver’s employer failed to check their background
Evidence is key to proving fault. Police reports, witness accounts, and expert reviews can show how the crash happened and why a certain party is to blame.
If you intend to sue the other driver, keep in mind that Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your ability to recover. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to get the lawsuit started.
What if I Share Some Blame for My Car Accident in Florida?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means that if you’re partly at fault for your accident, your compensation might be reduced by the percentage of your blame. However, if you’re found to be 51% or more responsible, you typically can’t collect anything.
For example, if you’re deemed 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, your award may be reduced by 20% to $80,000. Because insurance companies might try to pin some or all of the blame on you, it’s important to have strong evidence of the other driver’s fault.
Note that the comparative negligence rule applies to claims against the other party only, not against your PIP coverage.
What Damages Can I Receive After a Car Accident in Jacksonville?
If you qualify to step beyond PIP coverage and file a personal injury claim, you might recover both economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Full medical expenses: Including hospital stays, doctor visits, rehab, and future care
- All of your lost wages: Covering the time you missed from work and any future lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering: Accounting for physical pain, emotional distress, and more
- Property damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement if your vehicle or other belongings were ruined
In serious cases involving extreme recklessness—like drunk driving—courts may also award punitive damages. These are rare but can increase your total compensation if they are awarded.
Contact Our Award-Winning Jacksonville Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in a Jacksonville car accident, you don’t have to handle the aftermath on your own. Determining who caused the crash can be complex, but having the right legal help makes a difference. Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can guide you through each step and fight for the compensation you need to recover.
Reach out to our Jacksonville car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid if we secure compensation for you.
