Clermont Car Accident Lawyer

Clermont Car Accident Attorney

Getting into a car accident is one of the most frightening things that can happen to you. Although you likely drive with care and caution, others on the road are not always so careful. A collision can leave you feeling shaken, frightened, and hopeless. Many people even have trouble being in cars or driving after they experience an auto accident.

Although no amount of legal action can undo car accident injuries and damages, you can take steps to ensure that you are not financially responsible for a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault. If someone else harmed your body, threatened your health, and damaged your property by being a negligent driver, you can create a car accident case to recover the financial losses that they caused.

To successfully build and fight a car accident claim, you must have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Fortunately, our team at Badgley Law Group is here to help.

Badgley Law Group: Your Clermont Auto Accident Attorneys

With decades of combined experience and training in the legal system, our team consists of the best personal injury experts in the Clermont area. Our vast experience allows us to have insight into your case that other Clermont car accident attorneys cannot match. We have seen accidents of all types and severity, and we can give you the support you need to recover and heal. We are confident that we can use our expertise to get the compensation that is rightfully yours in your personal injury case.

Although we are strict and ruthless in our pursuit of justice, we understand that you are in a vulnerable place after an auto accident. Because of this, we approach all our clients with patience, compassion, and understanding. You can trust us with your story. We are here to help you through this challenging time.

When you search for car accident attorneys for your case, look no further than our team at Badgley Law Group. We are unmatched in experience, professionalism, and case success in the Clermont area.

What Is a Car Accident Case?

Although most people understand the basic principles of a car accident, many do not understand what a car accident case is or how the law can get involved. Car accident claims are a type of personal injury case. In these cases, one person (the prosecution) seeks compensation from another person (the defense) for damage caused by the defense. In a car accident scenario, you may press charges against another driver who caused an accident that resulted in injuries.

Negligence is the key to personal injury and car accident claims. To win compensation, you and your car accident attorney must prove that the defense’s negligent behavior caused the accident. If the other person was not behaving negligently, they cannot be held responsible for what happened as it was not their fault.

Car accident claim settlements can help you recover financially after an accident. They are meant to ensure that you have the resources you need to heal properly.

Why Do I Need a Clermont Personal Injury Lawyer?

Although it may be tempting to try to fight your own claim, it is unwise to do so without the help of a car crash attorney. Even though your case may seem obvious or straightforward to you, the court requires very specific evidence to prove negligence and determine fault. If you are unable to present the proper evidence in the right manner, you will lose your claim and your chance of a settlement.

The settlements in personal injury cases can be significant and are often key for families who have just experienced a car accident. Many families cannot afford the sudden expenses of medical bills, car repairs, and unexpected time off work without the help of a settlement. To give yourself the best chance of receiving this key support, you should hire an attorney to help you.

It is also important to note that your health and safety should be your top priorities during this time. If you add the stress and anxiety of fighting your own case to your already diminished health, you will likely harm yourself further and make it more difficult to heal. Hiring an attorney gives you the opportunity to get vital rest after going through a traumatic physical event such as a car accident.

Potential Compensation in a Car Accident Claim

Many people seek compensation for their car accident claims because the settlements can have a significant impact on their family’s financial situation. It is important to understand the potential factors in your car accident claim settlement.

The law considers the following when determining how much a car accident settlement should be:

• Medical bills associated with the accident
• Time the victim must spend off work to heal
• Whether the victim can return to their chosen profession or must be retrained in a different career
• The level of negligence shown by the defense
• The cost of ongoing care and rehabilitation

This means that personal injury settlements can be significant. The more severe a collision is, the more you may be able to get for your settlement.

Potential Injuries in a Car Accident Claim

All car accidents are different, and therefore the injuries that victims sustain in one are different as well. However, there are some common injuries in car accidents, such as:

• Spinal cord injuries, including whiplash and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Burns and rashes
• Dental injuries

While many injuries appear right away, some appear over time. It is important to be aware of the potential danger in car accidents and take action as soon as you realize that you are injured.

Negligence in a Car Accident Claim

In all personal injury cases, negligence is key. Without the ability to prove negligence, the law cannot hold an individual accountable for the accident. After all, many accidents occur because of weather, mutual mistakes, or other unavoidable circumstances. In those situations, no single person is financially responsible for the damage. In a personal injury claim, you are asking one person to claim financial responsibility for what they did. Therefore, negligence must be established.

Negligence can take many forms, depending on the situation. Some common examples include:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Texting or using the phone
• Turning to engage with passengers or children
• Eating or drinking
• Putting on makeup
• Ignoring signs, signals, and road rules
• Speeding

There are many other examples of driving negligence. Essentially, any time a driver disobeys traffic and highway laws, they are neglecting their responsibility as a driver. This is an action that is subject to punishment through a personal injury case.

Car Accidents and Insurance Companies

One of the most dangerous aspects of a personal injury case is dealing with insurance companies. Although many people believe that insurance companies exist to help people, in reality they are concerned with their own profits and bottom line. In fact, insurance companies and adjusters will go to great lengths to avoid paying for your claim. They may ask you leading questions on the phone, pressure you into making a statement before you are ready, intimidate you, and even have a private investigator follow you to ensure that your daily activities coincide with your injury claim. These actions are meant to take advantage of your vulnerability. If you succumb to them, they can leave you without the right to seek compensation.

The best way to avoid these tactics is by hiring a Clermont personal injury attorney. We can speak with insurance companies on your behalf to make sure that you do not fall victim to one of their tricks. We are highly experienced in working with insurance companies, which gives us an advantage in these conversations. We will be sure to avoid any leading questions or traps that they set. We know how to preserve your case and move forward with the best possible likelihood of winning a settlement.

Car Accidents and DUIs

In some situations, a negligent driver causes an accident because they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In these circumstances, there may be two cases progressing simultaneously.

When you seek a personal injury settlement, you are opening a civil case against someone. A civil case means that you are acting as the prosecuting party, and the responsible individual is acting as the defense. As the prosecution, you are allowed to drop the case at any time if you so choose. The consequences of a civil case are usually in the form of a settlement, and the individual will not go to jail for these circumstances.

Criminal cases are different. In a criminal case, the state or federal government acts as the prosecution. This is the government’s way of enforcing the law by giving the defendant due process through a proper trial. Although car accidents are usually not criminal cases, there can be one if the defendant is arrested on DUI charges.

If you have been hit by a drunk or impaired driver, their criminal case may help you prove negligence. However, be prepared for an altered timeline, as the defense will be undergoing a separate criminal trial as well as your civil one. In DUI cases, the defendant may go to jail or prison if they are found guilty in criminal court. Even still, your civil case should not affect the defense’s criminal punishment.

Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

Q: How Much Can an Accident Lawyer Charge?

A: Most attorneys charge a percentage of the settlement in a personal injury claim; the average is between 33.3% and 40%. However, not all attorneys charge this way. Some charge a flat rate or even charge hourly for their services. It is essential that you speak with potential attorneys about their rates so that you know how to prepare. It is also worth noting that people who hire attorneys often get higher settlements than those who try to represent themselves.

Q: What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Florida?

A: The average car accident settlement in Florida is between $300,000 and $6,100,000. This is a broad range because the amount you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the level of negligence, and the competency of your attorney. You will receive more money for a case involving a severe injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, than you will for a small injury, such as a cut, superficial burn, etc.

Q: When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Crash?

A: You should hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following a car crash. The sooner you begin to build your case, the more airtight it will be. If you wait, the defense can claim that you suffered injuries elsewhere and are trying to blame it on the car accident. If you start building your case right away, there are fewer opportunities for claims like this. Call your attorney from the accident site if you can.

Q: What If a Car Accident Was Partially My Fault?

A: Many car accidents are not solely the fault of one person. However, you can still seek compensation even if you were partially to blame for an accident. If your actions played a minor role in the accident, the court will take this into account and deduct money from your settlement amount accordingly. You can still get compensation for the portion of the accident that was the other person’s fault. However, this only works if you play a small role.

Contact Badgley Law Group

Although getting into a car accident is a scary event, you have hope during the aftermath. Our team at Badgley Law Group knows what you are going through, and we are here to help you during this stressful time. No matter the type, severity, or circumstances of your auto accident, you can trust us to represent you in your car accident case.

For more information about your rights, your case, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Badgley Law Group via our website.