Personal Injury FAQs

At Reed & Reed, our attorneys are frequently asked some common questions regarding car accidents or other personal injury claims. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often. If you have other questions, or if you or a family member have been injured and you need advice and representation in a particular legal matter, give us a call at 1-813-438-5960 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.

The vast majority of cases settle before the parties have to go to trial, so it is unlikely that you will have to go to court. However, you should be prepared to go to court and testify if necessary. If there is going to be a trial in your case that requires your testimony, we will help you prepare for court so that you will know what to expect.

It is possible that you will need to give a deposition in your case, which involves being interviewed by the other party’s lawyer. Depositions are recorded by a court reporter, but they typically take place in a conference room instead of a courtroom. We will help you prepare for any deposition and will be by your side the entire time.

It is not uncommon for the insurance company to offer you a check very quickly after the accident. However, the amount they offer typically is not anywhere close to what your case is really worth. The insurance company is hoping that you haven’t talked to a lawyer yet and do not know the value of your claim. It is in your interest to talk to an attorney before accepting any money from the insurance company.

While we are open to settling your case at any time and want to resolve the matter as soon as possible when it is in your best interests, it is often necessary to file a lawsuit and pursue it toward trial before the insurance company is willing to settle for the proper amount. Also, we do not want to settle your case until the doctors have determined the long-term extent of your injuries, which can take some time to establish. Therefore, your case may take months or even more than a year to resolve. Rest assured that we are always working in your best interests and that we will keep in touch with you as your case progresses.

If you have health insurance, you will only be responsible for deductibles and co-pays on your medical bills, and you may have additional medical payments coverage through your automobile, home or umbrella insurance policy. If you cannot work because of your injuries, social security and other disability benefits may be available as well. In addition, your doctors may agree to hold off on billing or collections if they know you have a lawsuit pending. We can help you negotiate with your doctors or issue letters of protection to make sure you get the treatment you need, regardless of your present ability to pay.

Under Florida law, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly to blame in causing the accident or contributing to your injuries. For instance, you may have been distracted and not stopped in time to avoid being hit by another car that ran a red light. Or you may have been more seriously injured because you weren’t wearing your seat belt. In these situations, a jury may assign a percentage of fault to you and a percentage to the other driver. Whatever amount you receive as a compensation award would then be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. It is important to be represented by a strong attorney who will make sure you are not unfairly allocated any of the blame.

You should have Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your automobile liability insurance policy, unless you specifically rejected UM coverage. This coverage will apply if you have a serious injury and your bills exceed the PIP limits, but the at-fault driver is uninsured or is not carrying enough insurance to cover your damages. UM/UIM coverage can also be used if you were injured in a hit-and-run and cannot locate or identify the driver who hit you.

Remember that whether you are dealing with your own insurer or the other driver’s carrier, the insurance company may try to pay as little as possible to settle your claim. At Reed & Reed, it won’t cost you anything to talk to us and let us give you our opinion whether you are being treated fairly by the insurance company or not.

“Thank you for the wonderful job you did handling my traffic accident case. You far exceeded my wildest expectations. The professionalism and knowledge you brought to the table eliminated all anxiety during an extremely stressful time for me and my family. You guys are amazing!”

— Catherine W.

“Thank you ever so much for all that you have done and continue to do. My trust is that you will excel in all you do with your endeavor. Congrats to both you & your son with your practice. You have come a long way. God bless you now and throughout the holidays in all you do.”

— Tim V.

“Thank you for your help in dealing with our accident. You made us feel at ease from the first moment we spoke with you. And we are especially grateful for never having to speak with anyone else concerning this matter, which was wonderful. Thank you for making such a trying time your problem and not ours. We will be forever in your debt.”

— Lee and Barbara S.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Florida

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of another in or around anywhere in the state of Florida, contact Reed & Reed for a free consultation to learn about your rights and ability to recover compensation from the responsible party. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you today.

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