North Florida Auto Accident Attorney
Gainesville ● The Villages ● Ocala ● Lake City ● Jacksonville
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, trust the experienced North Florida auto accident attorneys at Avera & Smith, serving Gainesville, The Villages, Ocala, Lake City, Jacksonville, and surrounding counties.
Trust the experienced North Florida auto accident law firm
70+ years with over $250 million in settlements
When you are injured in an auto accident, your life is suddenly turned upside down. You’re in pain. Medical bills are piling up. You’re unable to work. And insurance companies are likely pressuring you to accept a settlement that is far too low to cover your expenses and suffering. That’s why it is critical you contact an experienced North Florida auto accident attorney immediately.
At Avera & Smith, we have helped thousands of individuals and families recover from serious, life-altering auto accidents throughout North and Central Florida, including Gainesville, The Villages, Ocala, Lake City and Jacksonville. Our firm has more than 70 years of experience and has secured over $250 million in settlements and verdicts. We understand your frustration and discomfort. From the moment you call us, we will put you at ease—fighting for your rights and never backing down until you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why choose our North Florida auto accident law firm?
- You will receive personalized, attentive and compassionate legal representation.
- We operate on contingency fee agreements, meaning we will only get paid when you do.
- Our North Florida auto accident law firm has over 70 years of experience and our lawyers have over 225 years of combined experience successfully dealing with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters know that when you’re represented by Avera & Smith, low or unfair settlements will not be accepted.
- Our North Florida auto accident law firm is led by Board Certified Civil Trial Attorneys—a distinction that less than 7% of lawyers in Florida can claim.
- Your case will be handled by a local North Florida auto accident attorney, meaning you will meet with us in person. If you can’t come to our office, we can come to you, whether that be at home or at the hospital.
Types of North Florida auto accident cases we handle
- Car accidents – From minor fender-benders to severe collisions, we handle all car accident cases with diligence and care, ensuring you get the justice you deserve.
- Truck accidents – Truck accidents can be particularly devastating due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Our North Florida auto accident lawyers understand the complexities of these cases and fight for maximum compensation.
- Motorcycle and scooter accidents – Motorcycle and scooter accidents often lead to severe injuries due to the lack of protection for riders. We are dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for injured motorcyclists.
- Bicycle accidents – Cyclists are vulnerable on the road, and accidents can result in serious injuries. We advocate for the rights of bicyclists, ensuring they receive the support and compensation they need.
- Pedestrian accidents – Pedestrians are at high risk of injury in traffic accidents. Our North Florida auto accident law firm is committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and obtaining justice for injured pedestrians.
- Wrongful death cases – The loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a heart-wrenching experience. Our compassionate North Florida auto accident attorneys provide the support and legal expertise necessary to pursue a wrongful death claim, seeking justice and financial relief for surviving family members.
Important information if you’ve been injured in a North Florida auto accident
The aftermath of a North Florida auto accident can be frustrating and overwhelming. Here, we provide important information to help you better understand Florida’s laws, the insurance claim process, and key deadlines for taking legal action. However, the best thing you can do if you’ve been injured in a North Florida auto accident is to contact the injury attorneys at Avera & Smith immediately.
Call 352-372-9999 now to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our North Florida auto accident attorneys. Or, contact us online via our secure consultation form here.
How to determine liability after a car accident in North Florida?
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that after a car accident, each driver’s insurance company pays for their own medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. This is where Personal Injury Protection (PIP) comes into play.
What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is mandatory insurance in Florida and provides coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs up to a certain limit, typically up to $10,000. After a car accident in North Florida, each driver is covered by his or her own PIP insurance up to the specific policy limit.
Note: You have exactly 14 days from the date of the accident to seek medical care to be eligible for PIP coverage. If you fail to do so, you may forfeit your right for PIP compensation.
However, if your injuries are serious and medical costs exceed your PIP coverage, you may be able to sue the other driver for their negligence. Through a free case evaluation, the experienced North Florida auto accident lawyers at Avera & Smith can determine if you have legal recourse to sue the other driver for their negligence.
Understanding Florida’s comparative negligence system
When determining liability after an auto accident in North Florida, you must understand Florida’s comparative negligence system. Under this framework, Florida looks at the percentage of fault when awarding compensation to accident victims. For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for the accident, your damages may be reduced by 20%.
This is why it is critical to contact an experienced North Florida auto accident attorney. You deserve to have a legal team with the expertise and resources to properly investigate an auto accident case to ensure your damages are not wrongfully reduced.
Critical steps to take after your North Florida auto accident
In the days and weeks after your North Florida auto accident, there are critical steps you must take. Failing to do so could jeopardize your legal rights to pursue full and fair compensation.
- Seek medical attention – It is very important that you seek medical attention from a qualified medical professional. Your visit must be documented and you must go within 14 days of your accident.
- Document everything – To better support your insurance claim, we advise all our clients to document everything after your auto accident. This includes photos and videos from the accident scene (if able), witness contact information, and medical documents and bills.
- Don’t give a statement to the insurance company – Following your auto accident, you may receive calls from your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company. It’s important that you do not give a recorded statement without first contacting an experienced North Florida auto accident lawyer. Insurance companies will often try to “trick” you into admitting full or partial fault to minimize how much they pay you.
- Contact Avera & Smith – After an auto accident, you are vulnerable. Having an experienced North Florida auto accident attorney represent you ensures that you are protected. At Avera & Smith, we will help you with the difficult accident process by dealing with all parties, from insurance companies to other litigants. Remember that time is of the essence—the sooner you call, the sooner we can begin working on your case and the faster you receive a settlement.
Do you need an attorney after a North Florida auto accident?
If you’ve been injured in a North Florida auto accident, you may wonder whether hiring an attorney is necessary. In the State of Florida, you are not legally required to hire an attorney to represent you after an auto accident. However, hiring an attorney is highly recommended for several reasons:
- Attorneys protect you – Insurance companies will often try to take advantage of you. They may try to lower your settlement amount if you don’t have an attorney. And, if you are not at fault for the accident, an attorney will help make sure you are not partially blamed under Florida’s comparative negligence system.
- Attorneys handle everything – The aftermath of an auto accident results in a lot of paperwork and complex legal processes. The North Florida auto accident lawyers at Avera & Smith will handle everything on your behalf. This includes speaking with insurance companies, collecting important documents, and filing your claim. You will have peace of mind that your case is progressing and being handled with the highest level of care and urgency.
- Attorneys maximize compensation – On average, you will receive more compensation if you hire an attorney than if you were to navigate the process on your own. In addition, the North Florida auto accident attorneys at Avera & Smith operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you.
Types of compensation after a North Florida auto accident
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident in North Florida, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to cover your damages and losses. Here’s a detailed overview of the potential compensation you can receive:
- Medical expenses
- Immediate medical costs: Coverage for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and other immediate treatments.
- Ongoing medical treatment: Coverage for follow-up visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and prescription medications.
- Future medical expenses: If your injuries require long-term care, you can claim future medical costs, including ongoing treatment and care plans.
- Lost wages
- Current lost wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work following the accident.
- Future lost earnings: Compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or performing your previous job duties.
- Pain and suffering
- Physical pain: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort resulting from your injuries.
- Emotional distress: Damages for psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the accident.
- Property damage
- Vehicle repair or replacement: Coverage for the cost of repairing your damaged vehicle or the fair market value if your vehicle is totaled.
- Personal property: Compensation for any personal property damaged in the accident, such as electronics, clothing, or other belongings.
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life: Compensation if your injuries prevent you from enjoying activities and hobbies you once loved.
- Impact on daily activities: Damages for the loss of ability to perform daily activities or the need for assistance with personal care.
- Loss of consortium
- Spousal relationships: Compensation for the impact of the accident on the relationship with your spouse, including loss of companionship and affection.
- Family relationships: Damages for the negative effects on relationships with other family members.
- Punitive damages
- Gross negligence: In cases where the at-fault party’s behavior was particularly reckless or egregious, you may be awarded punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
- Wrongful death damages
- Funeral and burial costs: Compensation for funeral and burial expenses if the accident resulted in a fatality.
- Loss of financial support: Damages for the financial support the deceased would have provided to surviving family members.
- Loss of companionship: Compensation for the emotional pain and suffering endured by the deceased’s family members due to their loss.
After an auto accident in North Florida, you may be eligible for various types of compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. Understanding the full scope of damages you can claim is crucial to ensuring you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Consulting with an experienced North Florida auto accident attorney can help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.
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Avera & Smith has been trusted to represent individuals and families throughout North and Central Florida for over 70 years, securing more than $250 million in settlements and verdicts. We specialize in auto accident cases in Gainesville, The Villages, Ocala, Lake City, Jacksonville, and surrounding counties.
Put our experience and reputation to work. We are trial-tested attorneys with the track record to prove it. If you need help with any legal matter, whether it’s serious personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, medical malpractice or business law, contact us. The consultation is absolutely free with zero obligation.