ALTAMONTE SPRINGS CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS
A motor vehicle collision can change your life in an instant, leaving you grappling with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in Seminole County, consulting our Altamonte Springs personal injury lawyers is critical to understand your legal options. At Chubb Law, our Altamonte Springs car accident lawyers will diligently pursue justice and secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
What You Need to Know About Car Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in Florida. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Sunshine State had the country’s third-highest number of motor vehicle accident fatalities in 2022. Altamonte Springs’ heavily trafficked highways and busy streets increase the city’s risk of accidents.
While some accidents are minor, others can lead to catastrophic injuries, costly medical bills, and long-term impacts on your quality of life. Seeking legal guidance from an Altamonte Springs auto accident law firm immediately after an accident can help protect your rights and set you on the path to recovery.
Understanding Car Accidents in Seminole County
Altamonte Springs is a busy area with residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. The traffic flow from I-4 and nearby shopping centers creates potential hotspots for accidents. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports 5,880 collisions in Seminole County in 2024, resulting in 3,905 injuries and 36 fatalities.
Drivers in Altamonte Springs and throughout Seminole County face challenges such as congestion, distracted drivers, and high-speed roadways. These conditions make it essential for accident victims to work with auto accident attorneys who are familiar with the area and its unique legal considerations.
Car Accident Statistics
Car accident statistics underscore the dangers of Florida’s roads. According to the above report, Florida had more than 378,000 crashes last year, causing more than 244,680 injuries and 3,000 fatalities. Distracted driving is a significant factor in collisions, alongside speeding, impaired driving, and reckless behavior.
Key Legal Concepts in Car Accident Lawsuits
To pursue successful car accident claims, you must understand the following legal principles:
● Negligence: Proving negligence involves demonstrating that the at-fault party failed to act with reasonable care, causing the accident and your injuries.
● Causation: Establishing a direct link between the other party’s negligence and your injuries is critical.
● Damages: Calculating the extent of your losses, including economic and non-economic damages, is central to securing fair compensation.
Legal Rights of Car Accident Victims
As a victim of a car accident, you have specific rights under Florida law, including the following:
● Right to accident compensation: You may be entitled to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
● Right to legal representation: An experienced car accident lawyer can advocate for your interests and negotiate with insurance companies.
● Right to pursue a lawsuit: In cases involving severe injuries or wrongful death, you may step outside Florida’s no-fault system to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Damages You Can Recover from Car Accidents
If you are injured in a car accident, you may recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:
● Economic damages: These include tangible losses such as medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, lost income, and property damage.
● Non-economic damages: These compensate for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
● Punitive damages: In cases involving egregious negligence, such as drunk driving, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Insurance Coverage for Car Accidents
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages up to certain limits, regardless of who caused the accident. However, for more severe injuries, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Common Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Altamonte Springs
At Chubb Law, our Altamonte Springs car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling a variety of car accident cases, including:
● Rear-end collisions: Distracted driving or tailgating often causes these accidents.
● T-bone accidents: These crashes frequently occur at intersections due to failure to yield.
● Head-on collisions: These accidents often lead to devastating injuries and fatalities.
● Hit-and-run accidents: These collisions can cause challenges in identifying the responsible parties.
● Rideshare accidents: These cases involving Uber or Lyft drivers are often complex because of the various insurance policies involved.
● Bicycle and pedestrian accidents: These collisions are prevalent in urban and suburban areas
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents in Altamonte Springs often result from:
● Distracted driving: Activities such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio are involved in one of seven accidents in Florida, according to the FLHSMV division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
● Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug use remain significant causes of crashes in Florida, causing 423 deaths in 2022, per the Florida Department of Health.
● Reckless driving: Speeding, tailgating, and weaving between lanes create hazards, with speeding causing 33 fatalities daily, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
● Poor weather conditions: Rain, fog, and flooding can reduce visibility and increase stopping distances.
● Mechanical failures: Brake failure, tire blowouts, and other defects can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Knowing what steps to take after an accident can significantly impact your recovery and legal claim:
● Seek medical attention: Prioritize your health, even if injuries seem minor. Delayed symptoms can lead to more severe issues.
● Call the police: Obtain an official accident report because it can serve as critical evidence for your claim.
● Document the scene: Take photos and videos, collect witness statements, and note details about the accident.
● Report the accident to your insurer: Notify your insurance company promptly, but stick to the facts without speculation.
● Avoid providing a recorded statement: Do not give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company without consulting a car accident law firm. Insurers may use your words against you to minimize your claim.
● Consult an attorney: Speak with an experienced Altamonte Springs auto accident lawyer before discussing the case with anyone other than your attorney or your own insurer.
These steps will protect your health and preserve your legal rights, ensuring you are in the strongest position to pursue compensation.
THE COST OF CAR ACCIDENTS
Car accidents can have significant long-term financial implications. In addition to medical bills and property damage, you may face ongoing rehabilitation costs, emotional distress, lost productivity, and pain and suffering. The emotional toll of an accident is immeasurable, but you should not overlook it when seeking compensation. Car crashes also impact more than just their victims. A press release by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that car accidents cost Americans $340 billion annually.
The Car Accident Claim Process in Florida
The car accident claim process in Florida can be complex. Working with an experienced auto accident law firm that can help you navigate the legal system and maximize your recovery is crucial. The process for pursuing a car accident claim typically involves:
● Initial consultation: Chubb Law offers a free case consultation to discuss your situation with an attorney.
● Investigation: Our team will gather evidence to support your claim, including police reports, medical records, and witness testimony.
● Insurance negotiations: We will work tirelessly to secure a fair settlement from the at-fault party’s insurer.
● Filing a lawsuit: We may file a formal lawsuit to pursue compensation in court if negotiations fail.
Building a Strong Case for a Car Accident Claim
Key components of a strong case include:
● Accident scene evidence: This evidence may include photos, videos, and witness accounts.
● Medical documentation: This evidence includes records of injuries and treatment and your medical bills.
● Expert testimony: Accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts may bolster your claim.
To build a strong case for your accident claim, you should also be prepared to answer questions about the accident and your injuries. Retain an experienced Altamonte Springs car accident law firm to represent you and protect your rights.
Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically two years from the accident date. This means that you have two years from the collision date to file a lawsuit. Acting promptly ensures you do not lose your right to file a lawsuit.
Establishing Negligence in a Florida Car Accident Case
You must prove that the party who caused your accident acted negligently to succeed in an Altamonte Springs car accident lawsuit. To establish negligence, your car accident attorney must prove:
● Duty of care: The at-fault party was responsible for acting with reasonable care.
● Breach of duty: The at-fault party failed to meet this obligation.
● Causation: The breach directly caused your injuries.
● Damages: You suffered quantifiable losses as a result.
COMPARATIVE FAULT IN A CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM
Florida’s comparative fault rule allows you to recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, the court will reduce your award by your percentage of responsibility.
LIABILITY IN CAR ACCIDENTS
Liability in car accidents can be complex. There may be multiple parties who are liable for your injuries, including the other vehicle’s driver, the car’s owner, and the vehicle’s manufacturer. Determining liability often involves assessing the following:
● Driver behavior: This can include behavior such as speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving.
● Vehicle defects: Manufacturers may be liable for defective parts.
● Road conditions: Poor signage or maintenance can implicate government entities.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE CHUBB LAW FOR YOUR CAR ACCIDENT CASE
Chubb Law is committed to providing you with high-quality legal representation. We have a 99.9% success rate in handling car accidents and other personal injury cases and will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. Here is what we have to offer you:
● Experienced attorneys: Our founder, Mitch Chubb, has years of experience handling car accident cases in Florida. He knows the law and knows how to win.
● Proven results: Our proven track record of success in recovering over $25 million in compensation demonstrates our ability to obtain significant client settlements and verdicts.
● Personalized service: We will work closely with you, whether in-person, via text, or over the phone, to understand your individual needs and goals.
● Affordability: You will pay nothing out-of-pocket for our legal services, and we only get paid when we win your case.
Personal injury FAQ
What are some Common Car Accident Injuries?
Remember, we have car insurance for a reason. Insurance is there for when an accident occurs. If you were in a car accident and it wasn’t your fault, we can help you make an insurance claim. If you’re hurt in a car accident, you will likely incur medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, property damage to your car and pain and suffering. We can help you receive all that you are entitled to.
- Fractured or broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash
- Brain Injury
- Closed head injuries
- Headaches
- Paralysis
How is Chubb Law different?
We could list all the awards we’ve received or tell you how much better our results are than other law firms– but that’s not what makes us different. We are different because we truly care about our clients. Because we care, you won’t feel like you’re one of 10,000. You will feel heard and prioritized. You will feel confident in your legal team. You will feel like you’re in the right place.
How much does it cost to start a case? I heard it’s free? How do you make money?
It doesn’t cost anything to start your case and you will never pay us anything out of your own pocket. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us only if we win your case. Our fee comes in the form of a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount we obtain.
Do I really need an attorney or should I just work things out with the insurance?
We tell people all of the time, “if insurance companies would just treat people right there would be no need for what we do.” Unfortunately, most of the time insurance companies don’t treat people right. The only way to ensure you are protecting your rights is to consult with an attorney.
Should I take an insurance offer?
No. Not without consulting an attorney. We make all clients an “Increased Offer Guarantee.” If there is an offer on the table from the insurance company at the time of hiring us, we guarantee we will increase it, or we will waive our fee.
I already have an attorney, can I change attorneys?
Yes. In the state of Florida, you can change attorneys mid-case. In fact, you can fire your current lawyer for practically any reason. The Florida Supreme Court has set out “10 Basic Rights” that every client is entitled to from their lawyer. Read more about those here.
Mitch’s 8 Promises
1
Full-story, free consultation.
Our initial conversation does not have a time limit. We want to connect and hear your full story.
2
110%
We are selective in the cases we take so we can give 110% to those we do.
3
$0 out-of-pocket fees.
You will never pay us anything out of your own pocket. There are never upfront costs on your case. We only get paid if we win your case.
4
Unlimited.
Our clients are guaranteed unlimited communication with their legal team.
5
Proactive communication.
We consistently communicate with you to keep you updated on your case.
6
You call the shots.
You call the shots, we lead the way. We never make decisions against your desires.
7
Increased offer guarantee.
If there is an offer on the table from the insurance company at the time of hiring us, we guarantee we will increase it, or we will waive our fee.
8
The “why should I hire an attorney guarantee.”
When you hire us, not only will we handle everything, but the result we get will leave you with more in your pocket— even after attorney’s fees.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Do not wait to seek legal help if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident. Contact our Seminole County personal injury law firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. During your consultation, we will review the details of your case, explain your rights and legal options, and provide you with honest and straightforward advice about how to proceed.
Remember, you do not have to face this difficult time alone. Let Mitch and Christopher fight for you so you can focus on your recovery and move forward with your life.
