Car Accident Lawyer Fort Pierce, FL
Our Fort Pierce, FL car accident lawyer knows that car accidents can take many different forms. Some are serious and others minor. The associated injuries can be similar. For incidents involving minor damage and injuries, a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL might not be necessary. However, for those that resulted in significant harm or property damage, consulting with Tuttle Larsen, P.A. may be a good idea. Injuries from a car accident can be devastating, and they can be costly to recover from, due to the number of medical expenses, lost wages, and other significant damages. That said, as a victim of a car accident, you have the right to call a lawyer no matter what the circumstances might be.
- How To Prevent Car Accidents
- Why You Might Need A Lawyer
- What You Should Do After a Car Accident
- Car Accident Lawyer Fort Pierce, FL Infographic
- Fort Pierce Car Accident Statistics
- Fort Pierce Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
- Tuttle Larsen, P.A. Fort Pierce Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been a car accident victim and suffered severe injuries because of another individual’s negligence, then you can seek your legal options. It should not be up to the victim to deal with the consequences of an accident that another person caused. Understandably, pursuing legal action may not be at the forefront of your mind shortly after a car accident. You may be more focused on reaching a full physical and mental recovery. However, there could be a high amount of compensation that you can receive if you choose to file a claim. If you are struggling with medical bills and are concerned with how you are going to pay them, then consulting with a car accident lawyer who has years of experience helping victims can take much stress off your shoulders.
A lawyer can provide you with guidance and advice about what you should and should not do. While you are processing the aftermath of an accident, it may be unclear what actions you should take next. It is important that you take the right steps because taking the wrong actions can harm your case. Talk to a lawyer so that they can evaluate your case and determine if your case is valid. If you have a valid case, our firm will investigate the incident to find out what happened, who is responsible, and why. We will also take care of filing any documentation on your behalf and maintain communication with the insurance company. In the event the defendant disputes our claim or wants to offer you a lowball amount, we will be ready to negotiate vigorously to the full extent of our ability and the law. We will utilize an array of legal strategies designed so that you can receive the compensation you are rightfully entitled to.
This tenacious legal approach can be valuable in any context; however, it is most beneficial when you’ve suffered an injury like:
- Broken bones and numerous strains
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limb
- Limited use of your body for a period greater than 90 days
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Temporary or permanent disability
How To Prevent Car Accidents
Are you looking for a way to prevent car accidents? Most people do not roll out of bed in the morning thinking they are going to be involved in a motor vehicle collision. Unfortunately, they are more common than many people realize, but there are also steps you can take to prevent a car accident. Remember that if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, you should reach out to a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, such as a lawyer with Tuttle Larsen, P.A., who can investigate the accident on your behalf.
Take Care of Your Car
One of the best ways to prevent car accidents from happening is to take care of your car. Even though your car might be working well, you still need to invest in routine maintenance. This is important for preventing problems from developing with your engine, brakes, and transmission. If your car handles well, you can reduce your chances of being involved in a motor vehicle collision.
Put Down the Cell Phone
Even though you might feel like you need to have your cell phone in your hand at all times, your hands need to be on the steering wheel when you are in the car. Your cell phone can be distracting, and taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds can lead to a disaster. Do not let this happen. When you are driving a car, all of your attention needs to be on the road in front of you. If you are involved in a car accident, reach out to a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL.
Avoid Bad Weather
Florida gets bad weather from time to time, including hurricanes. Even though you might feel like you have to go somewhere, try to avoid driving in bad weather. When the road gets wet, your chances of being involved in a serious accident go up. It is always better for you to wait for the storm to pass before you get behind the wheel of a car again.
How To Regain Driving Confidence After a Car Accident
A car accident can be a traumatic event for any driver, no matter how experienced. The professionals at Tuttle Larsen, P.A. know that it can be difficult to emotionally recover after an accident that has left you with physical injuries and shaken your driving resolve. The path to a new beginning can be unclear without some helpful tips and encouragement to guide you. When you feel comfortable doing so, you can take the first steps toward regaining your driving confidence.
Talk About It
Being open and honest about your car accident is a powerful way to overcome the trauma of the event. When you speak to your car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, practice transparent communication so that you can take charge of your emotions and get through the situation without a hitch. Building a support group of friends or other individuals who have experienced a car accident is another effective method of healing over time.
Overcome Guilty Thoughts
Whether or not you caused the accident, it’s likely that you will experience feelings of guilt or thoughts about what you could have done differently. While it is extremely difficult to push these lingering sentiments out of your mind, it will eventually be time to accept that the past is behind you. Reaching out to a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL such as Tuttle Larsen, P.A. can put you on the fast track to settling the legal matters of your accident so that you can come to terms with your emotions sooner.
Take Defensive Driving Classes
You can benefit from taking driving classes after your car accident, even if you are a highly experienced and competent driver already. Going back to the basics under the supervision of a skilled instructor is a great way to rebuild confidence from the ground up. Taking the time to specifically learn new defensive driving techniques will go a long way towards giving you a renewed sense of control on the road.
Take Some Time Away From Driving
Perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself after an accident is to take a much-needed break from the driving scene. Your car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL may strive to make the process as quick and painless as possible, but the aftermath of an accident might leave you feeling exhausted regardless. Give yourself some time after the crash and slowly ease yourself back into driving whenever it feels appropriate to return.
Most Dangerous Highways In Fort Pierce. FL
According to a report on The Most Dangerous Highways in America, In Florida, US-1 is the most dangerous highway and has some of the riskiest intersections in St. Lucie County. Here are the most dangerous intersections and roads:
- US-1 & Prima Vista Blvd intersection
- US-1 & W Midway Rd
- US-1 & NW Jensen Beach Blvd
- US-1 & Cove Rd East
- US-1 & NW Britt Rd
Why You Might Need A Lawyer
It is certainly possible for a case to involve unique complications, legal concepts, or disputes. In the event that any such issues or complexities arise, talking to a lawyer can be greatly beneficial. They have a wide range of legal knowledge, so they have the tools and skills to handle especially difficult cases that have a more challenging set of circumstances and obstacles. For instance, if any of the following apply, hiring a car accident lawyer Fort Pierce, FL offers may be in your best interest:
- The insurance company is accusing you of being at fault
- Your property damage is several thousand dollars
- The adjuster is telling you certain damages are not covered
- The insurance company wants access to your medical records
- Your claim is being undervalued or denied
- Your accident involves the local, state, or federal government
- The accident involves a company car
- Several parties are involved
The level of difficulty of these cases often goes beyond what the average person without minimal legal knowledge is capable of handling. A lawyer’s years of experience are unmatched compared to the average person. They can employ targeted legal strategies to overcome complications in your case so that your chances of obtaining a positive outcome remain high. To learn more about what a lawyer can assist you with, schedule a consultation today.
Learn What Happens if Your Insurance Denies Your Claim
When you have been in a car accident and are seeking some sort of financial help for your injuries and property damage, you may be thinking you are fortunate to have car insurance to help you with this. Faithfully paying your insurance premiums does not necessarily guarantee you that your insurance will cover those medical bills, though. There is a chance that your insurance company may deny your claim if they believe that there are issues with it. Many car accident victims often experience this issue. If your insurance coverage will not take care of enough of your medical bills or flat-out denies your claim, you may think you have no other option but to try and pay out of pocket or go into more debt trying to pay off your bills. However, there are other options.
Why would my insurance company deny my claim?
It may sound unfair, but insurance companies are not in the business of providing customers with a reasonable amount of compensation to help with medical bills and lost wages. They are not obligated to compensate car accident victims with a fair and reasonable amount. At the end of the day, insurance companies are in the business of making sure they spend as little as possible. A few reasons an insurance company may have denied your car accident claim are:
- You did not get the medical care necessary in the allotted time frame
- You got unnecessary testing and medical care done
- You were not injured in the car accident
- You were responsible for the accident and were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- You got into an accident while you were committing a criminal act
- You got medical help from an unlicensed doctor or physician
These are just some of the reasons that your insurance may use to deny your claim or drastically reduce the amount they give you. You can take certain steps to avoid having your insurance claim denied, however, such as ensuring that you receive medical treatment right away after an accident. Keeping accurate records pertaining to the accident can prevent insurance companies from arguing that you were not really involved in one.
What can be done after insurance has denied my claim?
Once insurance has sent you a denial letter, you may be wondering if you have any other options left. You can speak with your attorney about filing an appeal (and make sure you do it in the allotted time frame). The denial letter they sent over to you should outline the steps you need to take when filing an appeal. Once you have filed an appeal, a separate insurance adjuster will begin examining the information related to your claim and why it was originally denied. At this point, you may get a letter stating your claim was approved or further explaining why it was denied. Your attorney can help determine if further action should be taken at this point.
The insurance company is not on your side. While people can recover compensation on their own, doing so is only recommended when the case is minor. Even then calling a lawyer to get advice is recommended. Let Tuttle Larsen, P.A. help you to understand your legal options. Call our firm now; you risk nothing by asking a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, Florida to review your case.
What You Should Do After A Car Accident
At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we represent injury victims who have suffered a wide range of injuries in car accidents. Every situation is unique, and you should do what makes sense in your circumstances. Here are some of the car accident lawyers in Fort Pierce, FL suggestions of things that might be helpful after a car accident:
- Medical attention— One of the first things you should do after a car crash is get medical treatment. Even if you do not yet notice any problems, the adrenaline of the moment might be interfering with your body’s perception of symptoms. You should get checked out at your doctor’s office or an urgent care center or emergency room, depending on your condition.
Some types of injuries do not show signs immediately, even though you could have significant harm. For example, spinal injuries do not always have noticeable indications at first. While one might assume that if you have a spinal injury you will not be able to move, that is not always the case. However, it can cause paralysis or even death if you move your body in certain ways when you have a spinal cord injury.
Also, some other injuries like internal bleeding do not always have noticeable symptoms. You could be in critical condition by the time you realize what is happening. You should always get a physical examination after a significant car accident.
- Vital evidence— Your medical records will be some of the most valuable evidence in your case. These records will link your injury to the crash. Your medical file can also establish the extent of your injuries. It is imperative that you seek medical treatment right away after a collision. If you wait, the insurance company will likely claim that your injuries came from some other event and not the wreck.
- Legal help— You should talk with a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL as soon as possible. Our state has deadlines for taking legal action for damages, and if you miss the deadline, the law can prevent you from ever seeking compensation for your losses. Also, the insurance company will gear up right away to defend against your injury claim, and you do not want to give them much of a head start.
Although the law does not require you to have a lawyer help you with your car accident injury case, it can be a good idea to do so. Since there will be an entire team of professionals on the defendant’s side trying to pay you as little money as possible, injury claims should not be DIY projects. Seek experienced representation from Tuttle Larsen, P.A.
- Accident claim pitfalls— A lawyer can help you avoid some of the many pitfalls of dealing with insurance companies. Once we take on a case, the insurance company is not supposed to contact you directly. If they do, tell them to talk to your lawyer.
The insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to investigate the case. The adjuster will either deny your claim or try to pay you the least amount of compensation they think you will accept.
One of the things the adjuster will likely do is ask you to give a recorded statement. If the adjuster asks you to do this, have him talk to your car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL instead. Recorded statements benefit the defendant, not you. The insurance company can take your words out of context to try to devalue your claim.
Car Accident Lawyer Fort Pierce, FL Infographic
Fort Pierce Car Accident Statistics
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in 2022 in St. Lucie County there were 5,474 car accidents. 3,113 of these involved injuries. When serious injuries are involved, it may be possible to recover damages from the at-fault party. This may be true even in Florida which is a no-fault state. In no-fault states, everyone must file a claim with their own insurance company, and whether or not you caused the accident is irrelevant. Many of these states require drivers to have car insurance coverage that includes protection from personal injuries. Talk to a lawyer to determine what damages you can recover. Your car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, Florida will help you to understand if this is an option during your consultation. In general, a liability claim can include more damages than a no-fault insurance claim, such as pain and suffering.
Fort Pierce Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
You’ve been in a car accident, you’ve been injured and you’ve got questions. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions people tend to ask.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
If you were injured in a car accident, and it was not your fault, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the other people involved in the accident. Only a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, such as Tuttle Larsen, P.A., can tell you for sure.
What Do I Do if an Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
Don’t discuss your case with anybody, especially an insurance adjuster. Give them the name and phone number of your car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL. The insurance company wants to pay you as little as it can get away with, and you may accidentally say something that could reduce the damages you could collect.
What Kind of Damages Can I Expect?
There are two types of damages involved in car accident cases: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, future lost wages, ongoing medical expenses, and property damage, Non-economic damages are things you can’t put a concrete number on, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
Do I Have a Case if I Was Responsible for the Accident?
In some states, you may have a case if you weren’t completely at fault for the accident. The damages paid will depend on how responsible you were for the accident. These laws are complicated, so talk to a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, such as Tuttle Larsen, P.A., for more information..
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?
While you might do okay if the accident was minor and the fault is clearly established, it’s likely in your best interest to hire a car accident attorney. An attorney who pursues these claims knows more about the fine points of law than you do and has more negotiating power with the insurance companies than you do.
How Can I Afford a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?
Don’t worry if you don’t have the money upfront to pay a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL. Most lawyers offer free consultations and take your case on a contingency basis. That means they don’t get paid until you win, at which point they’ll take a percentage of your winnings.
Make a swift decision to increase your chances of getting damages awarded.
If you have a car accident and you or someone you know gets hurt, call Tuttle Larsen, P.A., and consult with a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL as soon as you can. It doesn’t cost any more to get us working for you from the beginning, so there’s no reason to wait. Make a swift decision to increase your chances of getting damages awarded.
Tuttle Larsen, P.A. Fort Pierce Car Accident Lawyer
Understanding the Florida Car Accident Legal Landscape
Navigating the legal aftermath of a car accident can be a complex and daunting process. To provide you with the best possible representation, it’s crucial for your Fort Pierce, FL car accident lawyer to have a deep understanding of the laws that govern such cases in the state. At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., our legal team is well-versed in these laws and is committed to helping you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law
Florida operates under a “no-fault” insurance system, which means that regardless of who is at fault for the accident, each driver’s own insurance company covers their medical expenses and certain other financial losses. However, this system has its limitations, and victims may still pursue legal action in specific situations.
The 14-Day Rule
One important law to note is the “14-Day Rule.” Under this rule, accident victims must seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Failing to meet this deadline could result in the denial of crucial benefits. Our experienced Fort Pierce car accident lawyer understands the importance of adhering to this rule and ensuring you receive the necessary medical care.
Comparative Negligence in Florida
In Florida, the legal concept of “comparative negligence” is applied when determining compensation. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your level of fault. Understanding how comparative negligence impacts your case is crucial when seeking fair compensation.
Statute of Limitations
Every personal injury case, including car accidents, is subject to a statute of limitations. In Florida, you generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, seeking legal counsel promptly is advisable to ensure all necessary evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Florida law also requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). This coverage can be invaluable if the at-fault party is uninsured or lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages. Our firm can help you navigate UM/UIM claims and ensure you receive the compensation you need.
Wrongful Death Laws in Florida
Tragically, car accidents sometimes result in fatalities. Florida has specific laws governing wrongful death claims. Family members of the deceased may be eligible to pursue compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering. Our firm is experienced in handling these sensitive cases with compassion and expertise.
Seek Experienced Legal Counsel
Understanding the intricacies of these laws and how they apply to your specific situation is essential when pursuing a car accident claim in Fort Pierce. [Client Brand] is dedicated to helping you navigate these laws and fight for your rights. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Fort Pierce, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced Fort Pierce car accident lawyer. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the compensation and justice you deserve.
Call an Attorney
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, you need to reach out to emergency services. Make sure you ask for the police and an ambulance to arrive. Once you are confident in your medical care plan, reach out to a car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, such as an attorney with Tuttle Larsen, P.A., who can protect your interests.
Client Review
“Jesse Larsen and the Tuttle Larsen, P.A. staff were both professional and personal. It was the first time I ever needed a lawyer and my case was important for my future health. Thanks to Jesse I was able to get a settlement that ensured that would happen. In my opinion, he and Tuttle Larsen, P.A. are the best.”
Tracy Moore
