The Role of a Pensacola Car Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of a car accident can be a difficult time for many reasons. Along with high medical bills, you may struggle with lost wages, anxiety, pain, and numerous other challenges. You can receive compensation accordingly. In Florida, which is a “no-fault” car accident insurance state, your own insurance company is traditionally responsible for providing that compensation, even if someone else caused the accident.

However, there are limitations to consider with this model. Your insurer won’t be inclined to pay out a large sum if they believe they can convince you to accept a lowball offer. They’ll also only pay up to your policy limits.

That’s why it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney. A Pensacola car accident lawyer will usually accept no fees unless you receive compensation first, and their fees will normally be a percentage of your compensation. This provides them with the motivation to represent you aggressively.

Establish Liability After a Pensacola Car Accident

It’s also important to understand that in certain circumstances you can still pursue compensation from the party responsible for causing your accident. To do so, you must establish that your injuries resulting from the accident qualify as “serious injuries” under Florida law. A car accident attorney in Pensacola can help you with this process.

Case Example to Show the Importance of Pensacola Car Accident Lawyers

Although there are many reasons it helps to coordinate with an attorney following an accident, the Pensacola area case of Price v. McClain illustrates one of the most basic yet significant reasons: the law is often complicated. As a result, in this case, the jury originally issued a verdict that favored the defendant. Fortunately, with help from a Pensacola, Florida car accident attorney, the plaintiff was able to successfully appeal this outcome by proving the jury reached its conclusion due to a misunderstanding of the applicable laws. This paved the way for a new trial, which likely would not have happened without an attorney’s help.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Pensacola, FL

Naturally, your ideal goal is to never be involved in a car accident, but because there’s no guarantee you’ll always be able to avoid one, it helps to know what you should do in the immediate aftermath. Steps you must take include:

  • Getting away from traffic
  • Reporting the incident to the police
  • Getting the names and contact information of witnesses
  • Documenting the scene and your injuries with pictures or videos
  • Seeing a doctor right away, regardless of whether you suspect you’ve been injured

Be sure not to immediately accept any offers from an insurer. You’re likely better off discussing your case with a Pensacola car accident lawyer first before determining how to proceed.