West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer

How common are auto accidents in Florida?

Car accidents happen at an astounding rate across the country, as nearly 6 million collisions occur each and every year in the United States. Of these, more than 235,000 take place in the state of Florida—resulting in approximately 2,400 deaths and 195,000 injuries. With so many victims being caught in the middle of another's negligent actions, it is no surprise that car accident injuries account for a majority of the personal injury lawsuits that are filed annually. Sadly, a great percentage of motor vehicle accidents could have been avoided if one or more drivers had not failed to adhere to the rules of the road. Fortunately, the law allows for the victims of such accidents to seek monetary damages for the physical and emotional suffering that they have endured.

Taking the Right Steps after a Serious Collision

Have you been injured in a serious auto collision at the hands of a reckless or negligent driver? If so, it is important that you take the right steps thereafter. Although being involved in an accident can be a physically and emotionally trying experience, making sure that your rights are protected is a crucial element in recovering compensation from the responsible party. For this reason, The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A. encourages you to keep a few basic tips in mind.

First and foremost, you should consult a West Palm Beach personal injury attorney before making any statements to the other driver involved in the accident and/or to that person's insurance representative. Unfortunately, the goal of an insurance company is to pay an accident victim as little money as possible. To do this, the company will often try to prove that the victim was partially responsible for causing the collision or that the victim is not as injured as he or she is claiming to be. Having someone on your side who will protect your best interests is an elemental part of recovering compensation.

Because of this, you should make sure that you are protected by avoiding any conversations with the opposing party until you have had the chance to gather the information that you need. Secondly, you should always take pictures of the physical damage that was done in the accident, as this will likely prove to be valuable evidence in your favor. And finally, make sure that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, as your health should always be the top priority.

If I was already offered a settlement, should I take it?

Dealing with the insurance company after an accident can be a complicated and rather contentious process. Since the goal of an insurance adjuster is to pay you as little money as possible, they may move quickly to offer you a settlement. This is because they are hoping that you will accept the offer before speaking with a lawyer. They may even go as far as to say that hiring an attorney won't make a difference in the amount of compensation that you will be able to secure. Although this may be true, you won't know until you have had the opportunity to discuss your case with an experienced legal professional. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you take the time to fully understand your options before accepting any sort of offer from the insurance company.

Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries

In the aftermath of a serious auto collision, you may be forced to endure the physical pain associated with a severe injury, as well as the emotional and financial tolls that inevitably follow a devastating accident. If you have been injured by the carelessness and/or recklessness of another driver, it is important to understand that you have the right to pursue compensation—whether through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. With the help of an experienced lawyer from the Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A., you can pursue a monetary settlement that will help you to get back on your feet in the face of costly medical bills and time spent out of work. For more information about the rights that you possess as an accident victim, call a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer at our office today for a free case evaluation.

The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo has a website dedicated solely to the handling of car accident cases. Visit the site by clicking here.