Car accidents can happen in a split second, and when they do, the impact can leave you or your loved ones facing significant injuries and financial burdens. In West Palm Beach, roadways such as Okeechobee Boulevard, Interstate 95, and Southern Boulevard are frequent sites of car accidents. Whether it’s due to heavy traffic, distracted driving, or hazardous conditions, accidents on these roads can disrupt your life and leave you searching for answers.
At Hollander Law Firm, we understand the stress and confusion that follow a car accident. If you’ve been injured, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills, missed work, and the uncertainty of dealing with insurance companies. Our experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can guide you every step of the way, ensuring you receive the compensation and care you deserve.
Our team at Hollander Law Firm has been helping accident victims for nearly three decades, delivering compassionate legal support and securing justice for injured individuals across Florida. Reach out today to see how we can assist with your West Palm Beach car accident claim.
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Why Choose Hollander Law Firm for Your West Palm Beach Car Accident Claim
When you’re dealing with serious injuries after a car accident, choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference in your recovery. At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, founding attorney Gregg Hollander personally reviews every case that comes through our doors. We’re not a large, impersonal law firm where your case gets passed around between dozens of attorneys—we’re a dedicated team that gives your case the individual attention it deserves.
Our approach combines the personal touch of a boutique firm with the resources and capabilities of a larger practice. We have established relationships with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists throughout Palm Beach County who can strengthen your case. When you choose Hollander Law Firm, you’re not just getting a lawyer—you’re getting an entire team dedicated to maximizing your compensation.
Car Accidents in Florida: A Growing Concern
Florida remains one of the most dangerous states for drivers, with 394,975 traffic accidents recorded last year alone, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These accidents led to 252,245 injuries and 3,402 fatalities, placing Florida third in the nation for the most car fatal accidents, behind only Texas and California.
In Palm Beach County, the numbers are equally alarming, with 26,247 traffic accidents resulting in 16,238 injuries and 195 fatalities. These statistics highlight the importance of staying vigilant on the road and seeking legal support if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident.
Do I Have a West Palm Beach Car Accident Case?
To successfully file a car accident claim in West Palm Beach, you must demonstrate that the accident resulted from someone else’s negligence. Negligence is a legal term that refers to a failure to act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances. In the context of a car accident, negligence often involves actions like speeding, distracted driving, or failure to obey traffic signals.
For your claim to be successful, your lawyer must establish the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care to operate their vehicle responsibly and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: The driver breached that duty by acting carelessly, such as by texting while driving or speeding through a red light.
- Causation: The driver’s breach of duty directly caused the car accident that led to your injuries.
- Damages: You sustained actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, as a result of the accident.
If these elements can be proven, you likely have a strong foundation for a personal injury claim. The West Palm Beach car accident lawyer at Hollander Law Firm can thoroughly assess your case and help you navigate the legal process to recover the compensation you’re entitled to.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Work in a West Palm Beach Car Accident?
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that if you’re involved in a car accident, your own insurance is typically responsible for covering your medical expenses and certain other financial losses, regardless of who caused the car accident. This is handled through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which is mandatory for all drivers in Florida.
Every Florida driver must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. After a West Palm Beach car accident, your PIP insurance will cover:
- 80% of your necessary medical expenses
- 60% of your lost wages
- $5,000 in death benefits
However, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of your accident for your PIP coverage to apply. Additionally, to receive the full $10,000 in benefits, you must be diagnosed with an “emergency medical condition.” Otherwise, your benefits may be limited to $2,500.
This coverage helps pay for medical bills, lost wages or income, and certain other out-of-pocket expenses after an accident. However, PIP does not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
When Can I File a Lawsuit Against the At-Fault Party?
While Florida’s no-fault system is designed to simplify the claims process and reduce litigation, there are situations where you may have grounds to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. This usually happens when your injuries are considered serious or when your financial losses exceed the limits of your PIP coverage.
In Florida, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the state’s serious injury threshold, which includes:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
If your injuries meet this threshold, you may be able to pursue a claim for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, if your medical bills and other expenses exceed the limits of your PIP coverage, you may seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company to cover the remaining costs.
At Hollander Law Firm, we understand the complexities of Florida’s no-fault insurance laws and will carefully assess your case to determine whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. We’ll fight to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries, including economic damages and non-economic damages.
Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?
In the days following your accident, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster offering what seems like a generous settlement. While the prospect of quick money might be tempting—especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re unable to work—accepting an early settlement offer is rarely in your best interest.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their primary goal is to minimize their payouts. They often use various tactics to achieve this goal:
- Making quick settlement offers before you understand the full extent of your injuries
- Pressuring you to give recorded statements that could be used against you
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Suggesting that delays in medical treatment mean you weren’t seriously hurt
- Claiming that your injuries were pre-existing conditions
Before accepting any settlement offer, consult with an experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer. At Hollander Law Firm, we can evaluate the true value of your claim, accounting for both current and future expenses related to your injuries. Our team will handle all communications with the insurance company, protecting your rights and ensuring you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Who May Be Held Liable in a West Palm Beach Car Accident?
Liability in a West Palm Beach car accident can involve several parties, depending on the circumstances of the crash. Determining who is responsible is crucial for pursuing compensation, and in many cases, more than one party may share the blame. Here are some potential parties who could be held liable:
- The Other Driver: In most car accidents, another driver’s negligence is the primary cause. Common examples include speeding, running a red light, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
- Employers or Commercial Entities: If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash—such as a truck driver or delivery driver—their employer may be held responsible for their actions under vicarious liability.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: In cases where a defective vehicle or part caused the accident (e.g., faulty brakes or tires), the manufacturer or distributor of the defective product could be held liable for the resulting damages.
- Government Entities: Poorly maintained roads, defective traffic signals, or inadequate signage could lead to accidents. In such cases, a government entity responsible for maintaining safe road conditions may be liable.
Determining liability in a car accident requires a thorough investigation. At Hollander Law Firm, our West Palm Beach car accident lawyer will work diligently to identify all responsible parties and hold them accountable for your injuries.
What If I’m Partly to Blame for My Injuries?
In some car accidents, both drivers may share some degree of fault. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which means that even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you can still recover compensation—as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault.
However, the amount of compensation you can receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%, so you can only recover 80% of your compensation.
Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule makes it crucial to have skilled legal representation who can effectively argue against allegations of shared fault and protect your right to maximum compensation. Our team at Hollander Law Firm will thoroughly investigate the accident and gather evidence to demonstrate the other party’s negligence.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Florida?
If you’re considering filing a car accident claim, you must be aware of the statute of limitations in Florida. This law sets a deadline for how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
However, certain factors may affect this deadline. For example, if your claim is against a government entity, you may have a much shorter window to act. Missing the statute of limitations could result in losing your right to pursue compensation altogether. Therefore, it’s important to consult a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed on time.
Compensation Available to West Palm Beach Car Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages. This compensation is meant to cover the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident, including:
- Medical expenses: Past, present, and future medical bills related to your injuries, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost income: Compensation for income lost due to your inability to work while recovering from your injuries.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or pursuing your previous career.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact the accident has had on your relationships with loved ones.
A skilled West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can help you assess the full extent of your damages and pursue the compensation you deserve. At Hollander Law Firm, we fight tirelessly to ensure our clients are fairly compensated for their injuries and losses.
Contact Our Trusted West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in West Palm Beach, you don’t have to face the claims process alone. The experienced West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at Hollander Law Firm are here to guide you through the legal process, offering compassionate support and aggressive representation. We can help you:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- File a lawsuit if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve
At Hollander Law Firm, we treat every client with care and respect. Contact our West Palm Beach car accident attorney today at (561) 556-2813 or through our online form for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In West Palm Beach, FL
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers
319 Clematis St #203, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 556-7873
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
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Local Auto Repair Shops Nearby
- Goodyear Auto Service – 515 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Griffin Auto Care, Inc. – 1241 Roebuck Ct, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Jordan’s Auto Care – 1225 Old Okeechobee Rd # C, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these businesses or profit from having them listed on our website.
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