Getting injured in a car accident can put your life on hold. Even when you can get back to work right away, you're overwhelmed by the following considerations: Who should pay for the damage to the rear of your car? What about your medical bills? Urgent care visits, hospital stays, and physical therapy sessions can add up quickly. To get the compensation you deserve, you need a qualified car accident and personal injury attorney to help you navigate the confusing world of insurance claims.
Even if your case appears to be black and white, for example, if you were delayed by a driver who was tailgating, the insurance company's adjusters will exhaust their resources to minimize your settlement. Less money for you means more in the company's pocket and job security for the adjuster. However, hiring a team of experienced accident attorneys like The Ward Law Group will give you an advantage when negotiating a settlement.
With nearly 20 years of experience, The Ward Law Group has handled every possible variation of insurance claims. From minor fender defense to severe catastrophic injury accidents, The Ward Law Group knows the suitable switches to flip to allow your case to gain momentum.
Common Types of Miami Car Accident Claims that We Settle
Each year, 2.35 million Americans suffer personal injuries as a direct result of a car accident. (This figure omits car accidents in which drivers were not injured.)
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of car accidents occur not due to unavoidable events, such as black ice or dense fog, but due to the negligence of other drivers. According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the top 3 causes of car accidents include:
Distracted Driving: You've probably noticed that state bans on portable devices, like cell phones and electronics, have become increasingly popular in recent years. This is because distracted driving bills are the number one cause of car accidents in the United States. Texting while driving, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio or GPS, and even eating and drinking while driving can lead to car accidents.
Driving while intoxicated: 28% of all car-related deaths involve an intoxicated driver. If you have lost a loved one to drunk driving, your personal injury claim falls under the category of wrongful death.
Reckless Driving: Reckless driving includes car accidents caused by irresponsible acts, such as speeding, U-turning, or changing lanes. In particular, the force of a collision increases with speed, making personal injury more likely and more serious.
However, these are not the only sources of personal injury we consider when seeking compensation. Other causes and forms of motor vehicle collisions that we commonly encounter in our practice include:
- Defective auto parts
- Drowsy Driving
- Parking accidents
- Road rage accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Uber & Lyft accidents
... and more.
Because different laws and best practices govern how you should proceed, you need an experienced accident attorney to help you navigate an ever-changing legal environment.
Types of Car Accident Injuries & Compensation
From fender hems to multiple car pileups, motor vehicle accidents represent the second most common source of personal injury in the United States. Aside from emotional trauma, car accidents can also cause medical problems. Typical forms of injury that are associated with car accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Concussions
- Whiplash or soft injuries
- Burn injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Lacerations or burns
- Damage to internal organs
- Blindness or deafness
... among others.
Types of Compensation for Miami Car Accidents
When you are seriously injured due to the negligence of others, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you maximize your claim. With expert legal assistance, you may be entitled to the following forms of compensation:
Property Damage: Property damage to your vehicle and hidden costs (like towing fees).
Medical Bills: This includes bills for doctors or hospital visits, physical or occupational therapy, emergency surgery, inpatient care, etc.
Loss of Earning Capacity: Projected wages you will lose due to a permanent injury.
Pain and suffering: Take into account the "intangibles," such as emotional trauma or psychological disorders.
In addition to serving English-speaking personal injury victims, The Ward Law Group is passionate about providing bilingual legal services to the Spanish-speaking community. Don't let language become a barrier to getting the compensation you deserve for your claim. Contact our team of legal advisors at the Ward Law Group today!
Gregory Ward and Jany Martínez Ward have recovered millions of dollars in personal injury compensation for car accident victims. They were recognized for a top 5 verdict in Florida in 2021. They obtained more than $2,000,000 in compensation for a truck accident victim. Don't leave the fate of your settlement to chance. Contact The Ward Law Group today to secure your legal rights and hire reputable insurance companies.
Maximizing Your Claim: Immediate Steps to Take After an Accident
When guaranteeing a successful lawsuit, timing is often crucial.
Immediately after a car accident occurs, contact your insurance company to open a claim. If you intend to sue the negligent party, consult your state's statute of limitations. Many states require that you file a lawsuit within a designated period (usually within two years). After this statute of limitations passes, you cannot sue the guilty party—even in instances of gross negligence.
Contact a lawyer who will handle all communication between your insurance company and yourself until you achieve a resolution. As your attorney handles the legal particulars, ensure you receive a medical evaluation within 14 days of your accident. Evaluations that occur outside of this timeframe may be considered inadmissible in court.
If you contact an attorney from the scene or shortly after, he or she will send investigators to the accident site to collect photographic evidence, witness statements, and police reports. In the meantime, your attorney will also help you obtain an assessment of vehicle damage and submit the necessary paperwork (including a settlement demand letter) to the insurance company.
You must provide additional information to the insurance company demonstrating the seriousness of your injuries. Your attorney must also establish any lost wages, including your salary and how much income you lost. Furthermore, your insurance company will expect you to furnish any medical bills or information about the doctors who provided your medical care. All of these items will allow your attorney to mount a convincing case against the other driver and counter any claims made by your insurance company.
Contact a Miami Car Accident Attorney For Help!
Ready to start your claim? Don't leave your settlement in the hands of insurance adjusters who work for reputable insurance companies and not for you. They ensure you receive the lowest possible payment for your claim. Instead, start your claim off on the right foot by contacting our team of car accident attorneys.
The Ward Law Group is committed to helping you obtain the financial compensation you deserve for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and emotional suffering. Our bilingual attorneys can help you file important documents and legal paperwork (such as hospital records) and eliminate the trade-off between you and your insurance company.
For compassionate, effective, and culturally competent legal counsel you can trust, contact The Ward Law Group today!