DeBary Car Accident Lawyers

After an auto accident, you may face serious injuries and have many questions about what to do next. The DeBary car accident lawyers at Chubb Law will be your legal champions in your time of need, providing compassionate and aggressive legal representation when you are most vulnerable. Learn more about how our Florida personal injury lawyers can help when you arrange a free case review with us today.

What You Need to Know About Car Accidents

A car accident is not as simple as just filing an insurance claim and receiving payment. You could have severe injuries that alter the course of your life, risking your financial stability, because someone failed to follow the rules of the road. The insurance and legal systems in Florida are complicated, meaning you need to fully understand your options before taking action. 

Understanding Car Accidents in Volusia County

DeBary and Volusia County offer beautiful outdoor pursuits, bringing locals and visitors, often hauling recreational vehicles and boats. Highways such as SR-44, I-95, and I-4 also support commercial truck traffic, so you are at high risk of a collision on any given day.  According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Volusia County had 9,213 motor vehicle accidents in 2023, with 6,231 people experiencing injuries.

Car Accident Statistics

Additional statistics from the FLHSMV report include:

• Over 130 people died in traffic crashes in 2023 in Volusia County.
• Statewide, operating the vehicle in a careless manner caused 284,972 accidents.
• Failure to yield the right-of-way caused 163,176 Florida collisions.
• Florida drivers were in 801,183 accidents due to driver error or negligence in 2023.

While there are many elements that can contribute to a wreck, the fact remains that the majority of them are due to human error or carelessness. Our DeBary car accident attorneys are ready to hold these at-fault parties responsible when they hurt you.

Key Legal Concepts in Car Accident Lawsuits

Part of our job as your car accident law firm is to educate you about key legal concepts that may impact your claim. We explain considerations such as:

• Florida is a no-fault state: Unlike other states, Florida makes it faster to receive payment for your medical and other bills by requiring all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP). You can file a claim without proving who is at fault.
• Florida also requires liability insurance: Motorists must also have a property damage liability policy that pays for damage they cause to another person’s property.
• Significant injuries may warrant a lawsuit: If you suffer a serious injury as defined in Florida law, you have the right to file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.

We believe you should be well-informed to make thoughtful decisions about your case. We manage the nuances of the law so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Our DeBary auto accident lawyers keep you updated throughout the process.

Legal Rights of Car Accident Victims

After getting hurt by another driver, you have important rights, including:

• The right to file a claim against insurance
• The right to hire a Debary auto accident attorney
• The right to collect evidence showing what happened
• The right to file a lawsuit under certain circumstances

You do not have to accept injury and property damage as a consequence of someone else’s negligence. The team at our auto accident law firm will protect your rights and best interests to resolve your case quickly. We are committed to your full physical, emotional, and financial recovery.

Damages You Can Recover from Car Accidents

If you file a PIP claim, you can recover 80% of associated medical costs and 60% of your lost income after an accident. If you pass away, your survivors can receive a $5,000 death benefit. Yet, if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit, there are other kinds of damages you may seek:

• Full compensation for all medical expenses
• Travel costs for treatment
• All lost wages, bonuses, promotions, and other income
• Damage to your vehicle and personal property
• Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering

The emotional impact on your life after a serious car accident can be substantial, leaving you with a diminished quality of life and potentially chronic conditions. As your auto accident attorneys, we will work to demonstrate the full value of all your damages and maximize what you receive. 

Insurance Coverage for Car Accidents

Most states require minimum insurance coverage for drivers to reduce litigation and personal costs when accidents happen. In Florida, motorists can purchase policies for various situations, including:

• Personal injury protection (PIP): This policy is legally required and provides up to $10,000 to pay for medical costs and lost income.
• Property damage liability (PDL): Also required in Florida, this policy pays when the driver damages someone else’s vehicle or other property.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: This optional policy pays you if the driver who hit you has no insurance or too little. It can also be used for hit-and-run accidents.
• Collision or comprehensive: These optional policies pay for damage to your vehicle from an accident (collision) or from other causes, such as natural disasters (comprehensive).

Your car accident lawyer will review your policies and determine whether you can file a civil lawsuit against the other driver. We can assist you with all associated paperwork and conversations with insurance adjusters to minimize potential errors that could jeopardize your claim.

Common Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in DeBary

Regardless of how your crash happened, we can put our background and knowledge to work managing your case. At Chubb Law, you can work with a Debary auto accident lawyer who handles cases like these:

• Rear-end
• Head-on
• Rollover
• Drunk driving
• Hit-and-run
• Sideswipe
• T-bone
• Uninsured motorists

We will gather all available evidence and forcefully negotiate a fair settlement from insurance companies. We can also put it to work if your circumstances allow us to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Our DeBary auto accident attorneys have helped clients with cases involving the following and more:

• Reckless drivers who speed or fail to follow traffic laws
• Drunk drivers
• Distracted drivers
• Motorists engaging in road rage
• Drivers who are racing others
• Motorists who leave debris on the road
• Road repair companies that fail to install clear signage
• Manufacturers that produce defective vehicles or components

Although Florida does not require that you show who is at fault for an insurance claim, you must do so for a personal injury lawsuit. Through careful investigation, we can assemble evidence establishing who is at fault and claim accident compensation on your behalf. 

WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

If you are physically able, here are some actions we recommend after a car accident:

• Call 911.
• If possible, move yourself and your vehicle out of traffic.
• Exchange details with the other driver(s).
• Take photos and videos of the scene and your injuries.
• Request a medical evaluation from first responders.
• Give the police your statement about the crash.
• Ask witnesses for their contact details.
• Notify your insurance company.
• Arrange a free consultation with an auto accident attorney from Chubb Law.

By capturing evidence right away, you create a strong foundation for pursuing accident claims later on. You should also see your own doctor soon after the wreck for a full evaluation to diagnose all your injuries. Your attorney can gather additional evidence and documentation while investigating what happened.

THE COST OF CAR ACCIDENTS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that car accidents cost $340 billion each year. Additionally, you will have emotional and psychological costs on top of your personal medical bills. Your family, job, and future will experience a substantial impact because of someone else’s negligence. At Chubb Law, we are dedicated to righting those wrongs.

The Car Accident Claim Process in Florida

Under Florida’s no-fault system, you will follow these steps:

• File your PIP claim within 14 days with appropriate documentation.
• Determine whether you meet the significant injury threshold.
• Compile evidence showing your injuries and the other driver’s negligence.
• File a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
• Negotiate an appropriate settlement.
• Continue to trial and litigate your case.

This process is very complicated, and you can have better success when you work with a qualified and experienced DeBary car accident attorney from Chubb Law. We undergo a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties and maximize your compensation. We do not rest until we secure the justice you need.

Building a Strong Case for a Car Accident Claim

Putting together a convincing and powerful case after your collision takes experience, dedication, and a strong background in managing all aspects of personal injury claims. We rely on our legal support team to research statutes, acquire additional evidence, and create materials that tell your story in court. Our attorneys work to establish negligence against the other party and sympathy for you in the eyes of the jury.

Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

When you qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida, you must do so within two years of the date of your crash. Otherwise, you could pass the deadline required by the statute of limitations, thereby forfeiting your right to sue. To avoid this risk, contact a DeBary car accident lawyer at Chubb Law right away.

Establishing Negligence in a Florida Car Accident Case

During a lawsuit, your success depends on your ability to establish how the other driver was negligent. This involves four main tasks:

• Show that the driver owed you a duty of care to drive safely
• Show that the driver failed in their duty through negligence
• Show that their negligence directly led to your injury
• Show that you have expenses associated with your injury

These factors only apply when you are pursuing a lawsuit. Florida’s no-fault approach to insurance claims does not require you to demonstrate who is to blame when you file a PIP claim.

COMPARATIVE FAULT IN A CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM

If you are found partly to blame for your accident, you may see a reduced settlement by the same amount. For example, a 20% fault will result in a 20% decrease in your compensation, and you cannot seek any damages if you are over 50% responsible, under Florida law. 

LIABILITY IN CAR ACCIDENTS

Recall that you do not have to prove fault for an insurance claim in Florida, yet you will need to establish negligence and liability for a personal injury lawsuit. This could involve not only the other driver, but also auto repair shops, car manufacturers, government agencies that failed to clear debris, and multiple other parties. As your DeBary car accident law firm, we will identify all those to blame and hold them accountable.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE CHUBB LAW FOR YOUR CAR ACCIDENT CASE

At Chubb Law, we craft each client’s case as a personalized solution to their circumstances. Since 2021, we have had a 99.9% success rate in our work, securing more than $25 million for victims like you. We offer free consultations and a contingency fee plan that means you do not pay upfront for the legal guidance you need.

When we accept your case, we only get paid when we negotiate a settlement or obtain a jury award for you. Otherwise, you do not pay our fees. This can give you confidence to take action and seek the most favorable outcome with help from a Debary car accident lawyer from Chubb Law.

Founding attorney Mitch Chubb brings the experience of big auto accident law firms to a small group that focuses on each client as if they were the only one. Our previous clients and their testimonials tell the story of how we are ready to stand by your side.

We understand the concerns you have after you or a loved one is hurt in a car crash. We spend the time it takes to hear your story, build a robust case, and see it through to the end on your behalf. You do not have to take on insurance companies by yourself when you are injured.

The DeBary car accident lawyers from Chubb Law will put their skills and experience to work for you when you contact us and arrange a free consultation today. Remember, you pay nothing if we do not settle your case, so get in touch with us now.