If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact one of our experienced lawyers at (561) 293-2600 for legal advice and representation.
So you've been in a car accident. You may be worrying about your next steps, and have questions about:
At Osborne & Francis, we understand that you might have a million thoughts racing through your mind at this time. It’s our job to handle all the details and casework so you can focus on recovering. We've successfully handled complex car accident cases like yours — you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and promptness.
Without a lawyer, accident survivors are much less likely to obtain the full amount of damages they’re entitled to under the law. With our legal team at your side, we will make sure no amount that you’re owed is left on the table.
Looking for a car accident lawyer in Lakeland or West Palm Beach? We regularly assist auto accident victims from Broward and Palm Beach counties. Contact us at (561) 293-2600 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your car accident claim.
Read on for more answers to your questions, and watch our video below to hear Firm Partner Attorney Greg Francis discuss important steps to take after a car accident.
So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:
Number One: See a doctor immediately.
A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.
A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care.
Number Two: Write everything down.
Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain.
You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered.
Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.
Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them.
So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.
Accidents can cause serious injuries and losses, which aren’t always covered by standard insurance policies. Filing a legal action for a car accident can help you and your family recover damages for:
The ability to collect such damages depends on many factors, including the severity of the injuries and the liability of the various parties involved.
The amount of damages awarded can also depend on your attorney’s ability to effectively represent you in a court of law. As such, it’s important to work with a law firm that has proven verdict and settlement results.
Car accidents can involve tremendous amounts of force, even at lower speeds. In any car accident, there is the potential for serious injury. These types of injuries can include:
Many of these injuries can have long-term effects and may lead to lifelong changes. For instance, a brain injury can cause a person to lose various functions to the point where they can’t work or live a normal life anymore.
Thus, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you’ve been in a car accident. You’ll also want to get in touch with an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible, so they can begin compiling evidence and medical records for your claim.
Car accidents can send out rippling effects that will touch nearly every aspect of your life. Don’t let an accident overload you with financial and emotional stress. Contact us today for a free consultation. It’s our job to handle phone calls, paperwork, and forms, so you don’t have to.
Every case is different, the value of a car accident claim will depend on many factors. You should contact a lawyer who can help you understand what elements might influence your case’s worth.
The analysis and expertise of a lawyer is far more valuable than numbers generated from an online “accident calculator” or other tools. Only an experienced lawyer can provide a reliable estimate.
The overall worth of a car accident will depend on the following five factors:
Without the assistance of an attorney, you may miss many of these points while handling your own claim. Thus, it is highly recommended that you contact a lawyer so that all points of recovery will be included in your claim.
Car accidents can come in many forms and may occur in many different ways. The following are common types of accidents that our car accident lawyers handle:
Rear-End
These types of accidents are usually the result of one driver following too closely to another vehicle. They can happen due to other issues as well, such as distracted driving, impaired vision, or over-loaded cargo.
Rear-end crashes result in serious injuries, including whiplash, spinal cord injuries, concussions, and injuries to the face. Pain may often be felt in the lower back, neck, and shoulders.
Head-on
Head-on collisions are often called “wrong-way accidents.” They often occur when one driver is impaired and has entered the wrong way on a freeway or side street. They can also happen if someone makes a wide turn or turns in front of traffic, or if the driver is not paying attention on a multiple-lane road.
These types of accidents can lead to particularly severe injury due to the force of impact, and are often fatal.
Side-impact (T-Bone)
These accidents happen when one car strikes another perpendicularly. They typically happen when one driver runs a red light or drives through an intersection without stopping when required to do so. This often results in severe injury to passengers.
Rollovers
These happen when a car rolls or flips over onto its side or upside-down. This is more common with trucks and SUVs, which have a higher center of gravity. They are especially common when a vehicle is struck from the side, or when an accident causes the car to roll over into a ditch. A vehicle can also roll over multiple times, presenting extreme danger to the driver and passengers.
Sideswiping
This is when one car bumps into another, usually due to an improper lane change. They can cause rollovers and may be the start of more major pile-up accidents where several vehicles are involved. Sideswipe impacts can also startle the driver and cause them to lose control.
Regardless of the type of accident involved, the car crash attorneys at Osborne & Francis have the experience and resources to properly investigate the matter in order to determine liability.
Florida only requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and property damage. This is designed to minimize the financial catastrophe that can follow an auto accident.
However, the required liability insurance minimums are not always sufficient to cover every single cost and expense caused by a car accident. This is where legal action may be needed to help cover these losses. You may also be able to recover damages covering lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering under the laws that govern car accidents in Florida.
Attorneys with Osborne & Francis have significant experience working with insurance companies and developing strategies to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
An estimated 340,000 vehicle crashes occur each year in Florida. Car accidents happen every day and the most common causes include:
Car accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists often cause significant injuries and even death. Regardless of the activity that caused the accident, the at-fault driver is liable for both the personal injuries and property damage caused by the car crash.
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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”
“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”
“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”
Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!
Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.
"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"
Car accidents are common occurrences that often lead to physical and financial distress, so let us work to minimize the negative consequences of your auto accident.
The car accident lawyers at Osborne & Francis are here to evaluate your case and help you move on, with compensation, as soon as possible. Consultations are free and you don’t pay us unless we win your case. Call (561) 293-2600 or contact us online to discuss your options.
As with any type of injury claim, it’s important that you contact a lawyer and take legal action promptly. There are filing deadlines associated with each case known as “statutes of limitations.” In Florida, the statute of limitations for car, truck, and motorcycle cases is 4 years after the accident occurred. If you miss this filing window, you might not be able to collect any damages, no matter the circumstances of your case.
Every car accident lawsuit is unique — there is no set time period for how long a case will take. Depending on the facts and issues involved in the case, resolution can take anywhere from several months to longer than a year.
While this may seem like a while, the process is necessary in order to ensure you obtain the full scope of justice you’re entitled to under the law.
Our firm’s philosophy is based on the moniker, “Litigation-Focused, Relationship-Driven.” With regard to litigation, we utilize all resources and expert witnesses we have at our disposal. We pride ourselves in maximizing our client’s experience by pushing their case forward, and treating their case as a priority. We also focus on clear, effective, and empathetic communication. We make sure we take the steps to reassure our clients that their case is as important to us as it is to them.
After a car accident, your priority is to heal and return to your life, not do all the work involved in a lawsuit. Securing a car crash lawyer early on means your lawyer will be able to work on your behalf to assist with forms and documents, file all necessary paperwork, gather evidence for trial, formulate a successful legal strategy, and argue for your full compensation.
The auto accident injury lawyers at Osborne & Francis are at hand to guide and assist you through the process. Contact us at (561) 293-2600 to get started on the path to recovery.
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