Can I Recover Compensation After a Miami Car Accident Without a Lawyer?

Some car accident cases might not require a lawyer’s help. However, it is always in your best internet to get legal advice before deciding what is best for your situation.

Our Miami car accident lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers offer free consultations at (305) 937-0191 so you can get the advice you need. We have more than 100 years of experience handling car accident cases. Since 2007, our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for injured parties and their families.

Take advantage of a free initial consultation to learn about the claims process and the money you deserve for damages. Call our law office to request your free case review with a car accident attorney in Miami, FL.

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How Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Crash in Miami, Florida

Thousands of car accidents occur each year in Florida. According to statistics, in 2022, 63,347 crashes were reported in Miami-Dade County, including 314 fatalities and 38,649 injuries. Some of the accidents involved property damage only or minor injuries. However, some victims sustained life-altering, traumatic injuries.

The Miami accident attorneys at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers understand what victims and their families face after a car crash. We know how insurance companies treat claims, including the ways insurance adjusters try to deny and undervalue them.

You can try to handle a car accident claim yourself or hire experienced lawyers to fight for your right to fair compensation for damages. When you hire our legal team, we handle aspects of your case from start to finish including:

Investigate the accident to determine the factors contributing to the cause of the crash
Identify all parties who contributed to the cause of the accident
Verify insurance coverage that could apply and file insurance claims
Work with you and your physicians to document damages
Hire expert witnesses in their fields when necessary
Calculate how much your claim is worth and fight to obtain that amount
Keep you updated on the progress of your case
File a personal injury lawsuit and have a skilled trial lawyer represent you in court

If you have questions about your case, call Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Miami car accident lawyer. You are not under any obligation to hire our firm after your appointment. Our attorneys in Miami, Florida, accept cases on a contingency fee basis.

Evaluate the Extent of Your Injuries

The extent of your injuries can determine how much you receive for a car accident claim. Therefore, the first thing to do is determine the extent of your injuries.

Filing a No-Fault Insurance Claim After a Miami Car Accident

Florida requires all drivers to purchase Personal Injury Protection (no-fault) insurance coverage. PIP insurance pays benefits regardless of who caused the accident. Therefore, you can recover benefits even if you were the driver who caused the crash.

If you do not receive medical care within 14 days of the car crash, you cannot receive PIP benefits. Therefore, it is wise to see a doctor after a car accident, even if you do not believe you are seriously injured. Seeing a doctor promptly after the collision protects your right to file a claim.

If you sustain an emergency medical condition, you can receive up to $10,000 in medical benefits and lost wages. However, if your injuries do not constitute an emergency medical condition, your benefits are limited to $2,500.

Furthermore, PIP benefits are limited to 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages. Therefore, you might not receive compensation for all damages. For example, no-fault insurance does not compensate victims for any non-economic damages.

Filing a Liability Insurance Claim After a Miami Car Accident

Florida makes some exceptions to the no-fault insurance laws. An at-fault driver could be liable for damages if the victim sustains serious injuries. Serious injuries are defined by statute and include permanent impairments, scarring, and disfigurement.

If the at-fault driver has liability insurance, you can file an insurance claim seeking compensation for non-economic and economic damages. Liability insurance compensates victims for their pain and suffering in addition to financial losses.

An insurance adjuster evaluates your claim. They review your medical records and take a statement from you about the accident and your injuries.

The insurance company could deny liability. For example, it might say that you caused the crash. The company might deny the claim for other reasons.

The company might accept liability and make a settlement offer. If so, you can accept the offer and receive a check. However, that does not mean you are receiving the full value of your claim.

Should I File an Insurance Claim or Hire a Lawyer for a Miami Car Accident?

The insurance adjuster protects the insurance company from liability. Therefore, if there is a way to blame you for causing the crash or decrease the value of your claim, the adjuster will do so.

The adjuster may try to convince you to sign a settlement agreement before talking with a lawyer. However, you give up your right to sue the driver or demand more money when you accept a settlement offer.

Your case could be worth much more money than the adjuster tells you. Importantly, signing a settlement agreement waives any further liability for your claim.

Therefore, it is always in your best interest to talk with a personal injury lawyer before talking to an insurance adjuster. An attorney has your best interests as the top priority. A free consultation with a lawyer could prevent you from accepting an offer far below the value of your claim.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Miami, FL Car Accident Attorneys

Were you or a family member injured in a car accident? If so, we want to help. Contact our law office to schedule your free consultation with one of our Miami car accident lawyers.

Common Miami Car Accident Claims We Handle

Our law firm handles all types of car accident claims involving: