Car Accident Lawyer

Name: Gallagher & Hagopian
Price range: $$

A car accident lawyer is a valuable resource for car accident victims. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will vigorously fight on behalf of victims and their families who are injured in car accidents.

Car Accident Lawyers in Bradenton, FL

If you have been involved in a car accident, you know firsthand just how terrifying they can be. After the accident is over, the last thing you want to have to worry about is a legal dispute.

Instead, you want to be able to focus on getting back on your feet after the crash and caring for any loved ones that were involved in the collision. Thankfully, your car accident lawyer can work through the legal aspects of your situation for you—so you can focus on what matters most.

You should not have to suffer because of another individual’s negligence, but do not assume that contacting your insurance company will eliminate the burden. Understand that insurance companies are in business to make money, so the less the company pays in policyholder claims, the more profitable they will be.

You may be driving to work, on your way to dinner with friends, making your way across town to pick up the kids, or just heading to the grocery store. Whatever the errand, there exists a basic assumption that if you obey the traffic laws and you operate your vehicle responsibly, you should be able to complete your trip without incident. Unfortunately, the negligent behavior of certain drivers occasionally subjects others to the risk of auto accidents.

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

A car accident lawyer is someone who focuses their legal practice on helping those who have been involved in a car accident. Like the team at Gallagher & Hagopian, they have experience both in and out of the courtroom. They know the law that applies to car accidents in Florida, and they use that experience and knowledge to help you get money damages after you crash.

In general, a car accident lawyer will often help you with the following tasks:

Gathering evidence and information about why the crash occurred
Working with the other driver’s insurance company to provide information
Negotiate a settlement with the other driver or their insurance company
Help you address medical bills, including putting collection “pauses” on outstanding bills while your legal claim is pending
Filing all of your legal documents to protect your rights as a car accident victim

Your car accident lawyer will do a lot of the leg work associated with your claim, so you do not have to address those issues. They will also ensure that you meet all rules and deadlines in your case.

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

Not every case requires that you hire a car accident lawyer. More minor cases that do not involve injuries or much property damage might be able to settle with the at-fault driver soon after the accident occurs.

However, situations that have bigger losses and damages get very complicated, very quickly. Most drivers in Florida have insurance that helps them defend legal claims. These insurance companies are extremely experienced in dealing with situations just like yours. A good Florida car accident attorney will help you value your case, explain the law that applies to you, and gather facts and evidence to present your case to an insurance company, judge, or jury.

Attempting to negotiate with an insurance company or assert a lawsuit by yourself can be very daunting, confusing, and time-consuming. Instead, you should get an experienced attorney who can push back on the insurance company and help you get the money damages you deserve after a car accident. A car accident attorney will help you navigate the legal rules and restrictions you must use to file and prove your case. A good car accident lawyer will fight for your rights after a car accident.

At a minimum, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer about your situation. Gallagher & Hagopian offers free initial consultations so you can determine whether hiring a car accident attorney is the right option for your situation. Our team will walk you through your legal rights after a car accident and help you determine what your next moves should be.

When Is the Right Time to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

The sooner you talk to a lawyer about your situation, the better. You have four years from the date of your car accident to file a lawsuit in Florida. However, that does not mean you should wait that long to talk to an attorney. Gathering evidence and information (including talking to witnesses) gets harder the longer you wait. Instead, you can significantly increase the potential for a good result from your legal case by involving a car accident lawyer early in the process.

You should also keep in mind that an insurance company may contact you right away after a car accident. Do not make the mistake of saying the wrong thing to an insurance company after a car accident—get an experienced car accident attorney to help you communicate and negotiate.

Gallagher & Hagopian wants to help you and your family after a car accident. Set up an appointment with our team of car accident lawyers to get a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal rights.

Car Accident FAQs

What should I do if I am involved in a car crash?

You must insist that the crash be reported to law enforcement so that a law enforcement officer can complete the appropriate forms. You shouldn’t try to negotiate a payment agreement with the other party to settle damages.

Other suggestions include:

Make sure the investigating officer records complete insurance information for all parties on the crash report. Report the accident to your insurance company immediately. If the other party is insured or uninsured, be sure to report that information to your insurance company so that they can pursue compensation, as they have more information resources at their disposal.

If I didn’t cause this accident, why does my insurance have to pay anything?

The Florida No-Fault Law provides that a Florida resident involved in an automobile accident must seek medical and wage loss from his/her own insurance company regardless of who is at fault in the accident. This is true even if you are involved in an accident while a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. You must initially file for medical and wage loss benefits with your own insurance company.

Do I have to buy insurance?

As a Florida State resident, you must be able to show you can take financial responsibility for any incidents in which you and your vehicle are involved. Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law and Florida’s No-Fault Law both outline coverage you need to meet financial responsibility requirements and legally operate your vehicle.

Whether you plan to drive it or not, if you own a vehicle with a state license plate you must cover it with the minimum liability insurance requirements. Returning your license plate to a driver license or tax collector office is the only way to legally cancel your insurance.

Since my vehicle is inoperable, I need a rental car. Who is going to pay for that?

Even though it is extremely frustrating to you as the accident was not your fault, the other driver’s insurance company will do a liability investigation to make sure their driver was at fault and that they owe you for the claim. This investigation will almost certainly include getting a statement from their insured. They may also want to speak with any witnesses and get a look at the police report if one was made. This all takes time, so rarely will another driver’s insurance company agree to provide you with a rental car in the first 24 hours after an accident.

If you have rental car reimbursement coverage on your own automobile insurance, you should consider getting a rental car under your own policy rather than waiting for the other driver’s insurance company to complete their investigation. If they determine their insured was at fault, they will reimburse your insurance company.

What type of auto insurance coverage is required for a person causing a crash?

The Florida Financial Responsibility Law requires that any person at fault in a crash resulting in bodily injury and property damage to others must have in effect at the time of the crash full liability insurance coverage. This coverage includes minimum limits of bodily injury liability of $10,000 per person, $20,000 per crash, $10,000 property damage liability per crash, and personal injury protection limits of $10,000 per person per crash.

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TERMS: Although we will provide a free evaluation of your potential claim, it is understood that this service does not establish an Attorney/Client relationship. Unless arrangements are made for further consultation and a formal retainer agreement is signed by both you and one of our attorneys, our firm cannot assume any responsibility for taking any steps necessary to properly pursue your potential claim. It is also understood that the evaluation you will receive is an opinion based upon the information provided and that there may be additional information not provided by you that may change that opinion.

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