Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
If you have been injured in a car accident and are looking for help holding the negligent party accountable for his or her actions, contact a Lakeland car crash lawyer.
A serious car accident in Lakeland, Florida, can have a lasting impact on the lives of injury victims.
In 2021, Lakeland, Florida, experienced 21 fatal car crashes involving 29 vehicles, resulting in 21 fatalities and involving 38 people, including 6 pedestrians. Notably, none of these accidents involved drunk drivers.
In comparison, 2020 saw 14 fatal accidents involving 28 vehicles, with 15 fatalities and 45 people affected, including 3 pedestrians, and 3 of these accidents involved drunk drivers. The previous years, 2019 and 2018, had 21 and 18 fatal crashes respectively, with 23 and 22 fatalities, showing a consistent trend in pedestrian involvement and an occasional influence of drunk driving on these incidents.
Facing ever-increasing medical costs and the financial responsibility of maintaining a household, you may feel that dedicating yourself to this difficult recovery process is impossible.
But it shouldn’t be this way. The person or people liable for your injuries should cover your losses so you are able to devote yourself to recovering from your injuries. At Lopez & Humphries, PA, you’ll find a Lakeland car accident lawyer who is committed to ensuring that the at-fault party compensates you fairly for the suffering you’ve endured as a result of his or her negligence.
Accountability in Lakeland Car Accidents
Quite a few parties could have played a role in your car accident. Many car accident scenarios call for the finger to be pointed at the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash. Often, distracted driving—where a driver’s attention is focused on a cell phone, navigation system, passenger conversation, radio station, or other distraction—is involved in Lakeland car accidents. This is particularly common in commercial truck accidents.
Other times, fatigued driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or aggressive driving (running red lights or stop signs, speeding, and following too closely) are to blame. In any case, when the driving practices of the operator of the vehicle are called into question, that person should be prepared to cover the costs of your damages.
Although it’s true that the driver often holds a significant amount of blame for the car accident, it is not uncommon for a crash to occur when both motorists were driving safely. This could be due to a vehicle malfunction, the blame for which could fall on a mechanic or the parts manufacturer if a faulty part was installed or a recall wasn’t properly issued. You could even be due compensation for a single-car crash.
In addition, Florida state road authorities are obligated by law to maintain safe and clear roadways. If a missing traffic sign, pothole, unsecured road construction zone, or debris contributed to your auto crash in Lakeland, we may be able to name a government agency as the defendant in your claim. Note that bad road conditions are a frequent cause of motorcycle accidents, too.
We don’t necessarily need to pick one negligent party to name as liable in your case. It’s important that we include each and every individual or corporation whose carelessness played a part in your injuries so you are fully compensated and they are all held accountable for their actions. Doing so could even help prevent future accidents from occurring and hurting other victims like you.
The Insurance Company and Your Car Accident
It shouldn’t come as a surprise if dealing with the insurance company isn’t as easy as you thought it would be. Perhaps it sounds simple enough: Get into a car accident, report your accident, file a claim with your insurer, and get a check that covers your vehicle repairs and a portion of your medical bills.
If only it were actually that simple. While Florida is a no-fault state for auto insurance—meaning drivers are required to maintain a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection on their auto insurance policies, and in return the insurer is required to pay up to the policy limits of your plan regardless of fault—many claimants are surprised to get pushback from the insurer when it’s time to settle.
Whenever an insurer settles a car accident claim, it loses money. As such, it’s in the insurer’s best interest to minimize the amount it pays out to claimants. Because Florida also operates on comparative negligence laws to determine fault, insurers will likely attempt to increase your level of blame in the hope of lowering the amount they are ultimately required to pay you.
Fortunately, your car accident lawyer in Lakeland won’t allow this to happen. We’ll do everything in our power to make sure you are fully compensated to the limits of your auto policy and fight back against insurers who place unwarranted blame where it doesn’t belong. Should your damages exceed the limits of your insurance policy, we’ll explore every avenue to win you full compensation.
Injuries You Can Suffer in a Car Accident
A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. When someone is injured to the point of seeking compensation, their wounds are rarely minor. In fact, many of the victims of car accidents caused by other people suffer from severe, life-changing injuries.
After an accident, getting compensated might be one of the last things on your mind. You’re likely dealing with the physical impact of your injuries, which can make it hard to focus on getting compensated through an insurance settlement.
Although no amount of compensation can take away your pain entirely, it can help you secure your financial future.
If you’ve suffered any of the following injuries in Lakeland, you may be entitled to financial compensation:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Burns
- Loss of bodily function caused by your disabilities
- Other injuries
The above list isn’t and shouldn’t be considered exhaustive, and you can contact an experienced attorney for more information.
Compensating Your Car Accident Damages
Whether we’re dealing with a negligent individual or an insurance company, you should be compensated to the fullest extent allowable under the law. When someone else’s negligence is the cause of your Lakeland car accident, that negligent party should cover all of your related costs.
Generally, auto accident claims warrant compensation for the following damages:
- Loss of income and earning potential
- Medical expenses surrounding your injury
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
The more severe your injuries and their effects are, the more you can reasonably expect to recover in your Lakeland car accident claim. You shouldn’t be forced to take responsibility for any aspect of your life that has been damaged by a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
Call a Lakeland Car Accident Attorney
Being injured in an auto collision can have serious effects on your life for years to come. If you’re already plagued by financial worry, the inability to provide for yourself and your family can make your recovery all the more challenging.
You don’t have to deal with these difficult circumstances alone. Reach out to a qualified Lakeland car accident lawyer with Lopez & Humphries, PA for help gaining access to the compensation you deserve. We can schedule a free claim evaluation right away if you give us a call at (863) 774-3573 or fill out the online contact form at the bottom of this page.
Citations
“Drowsy driving kills — but is preventable
Source: NHTSA https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving
Fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents in Lakeland, Florida: CityData
https://www.city-data.com/accidents/acc-Lakeland-Florida.html
Our Lakeland Law Office
Lakeland Car Accident FAQ
Who do I sue if the other driver in the car accident doesn’t have insurance?
Because Florida is a no-fault state for car insurance, drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) on their auto insurance policies. That means your insurer will need to cover a portion of your lost wages and medical expenses up to the limitations on your policy. When these limits are met, we may sue the driver directly, bypassing negotiations with the insurance company. It's also a good idea to add uninsured and underinsured driver coverage to your auto insurance policy. This will provide you with additional coverage if your accident damages exceed your PIP limits and the other driver didn't have sufficient (or any) insurance.
Should I negotiate with the insurance company or accept its car accident settlement offer?
If the insurance company has made you a quick offer, it’s likely because it knows your claim is worth more and is hoping a fast offer will persuade you to settle before you realize the true value of your damages. An experienced Lakeland car accident attorney can prepare you for what a reasonable compensation award would be in your case so you don’t accept anything less that what you’re owed.
What if I’m partially to blame for the car accident?
Even if you hold some fault, you may still have the opportunity to pursue compensation. This is due to Florida’s comparative negligence laws. Once you’ve been awarded compensation, that figure will be reduced based on the percentage of blame you carry. For instance, if you were 15 percent to blame, your winnings would be reduced by 15 percent.
