Auto Accident Injury in Fort Myers, FL
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Fort Myers? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Fort Myers, FL that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers saw a significant number of car accidents in 2023, including several fatal crashes and incidents involving pedestrians. Fort Myers continues to face traffic challenges, particularly with high-speed areas and intersections prone to accidents. Pedestrian safety remains a concern, with numerous fatal accidents reported. The city’s proximity to major highways like I-75 also contributes to frequent and severe crashes.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
Fort Myers accidents involving injuries, fatalities, alcohol, or a hit-and-run, must be reported immediately to the police. You must stay at the crash scene and call 911. Drivers in minor crashes who do not require a police report may be eligible to self-report online or by mail. You can obtain a copy of your Fort Myers crash report through the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
A Fort Myers attorney can help you factor in all of the costs from your accident, including property damage, medical bills, and even lost wages or reduced quality of life.
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Florida
Liability Laws for Fort Myers
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.
Under Florida’s no-fault law, drivers must carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 property damage liability coverage as part of their auto insurance. This insurance typically pays the insured’s bills, regardless of fault, up to the specified coverage. In addition, the personal injury protection includes $5,000 in death benefits. The no-fault system is designed to lower the cost of auto insurance by taking small claims out of the courts. As well, no-fault laws are supposed to make it easier for those injured in a car accident to seek medical treatment. However, drivers may sue for severe injuries if the case meets the threshold of tort liability, as specified by Florida law.
Statute of Limitations in Fort Myers
Each state has tort laws that set the statute of limitations for filing a claim, ranging from one to six years depending on the jurisdiction. In Florida, including Fort Myers, you have four years from the date of your auto accident to file a claim for damages. Acting quickly is crucial, as waiting too long could jeopardize your chances of recovering compensation. Consulting an attorney immediately after your crash ensures you don’t miss important deadlines or lose out on the compensation you deserve.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Fort Myers, FL
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct. We can even help you connect with legal help across Florida state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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