St. Augustine Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
Car, Motorcycle & Truck Accidents in Florida
Being the victim of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) is more than an inconvenience—it is costly, time-consuming, and frightening. Moreover, if you were injured in the accident, the consequences are potentially long-reaching and life-altering.
If you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident on I-95 or anywhere in St. Johns County or Northeast Florida, it is imperative that you take action quickly. At Canan Law, we can help protect your rights and safeguard your future.
Do not discuss the matter with an insurance company or sit down for a formal interview with the police without first consulting the topic with a car accident lawyer in St. Augustine.
Call our St. Augustine motor vehicle accident attorneys at (904) 849-2266or contact Canan Law onlineto request a free initial consultation today.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Cases We Handle
At Canan Law, our St. Augustine car accident lawyers have more than 60 years of combined experience representing victims of motor vehicle accidents and other serious personal injury matters. People in our community who have been involved with or injured by an unexpected crash or collision trust us to do what’s right for them—to protect their rights, their reputations, and their financial stability.
We help people just like you recover from a variety of different types of auto accidents, including those involving:
No matter the circumstances of your accident, our firm is here to help. With decades of collective experience and more than 250 jury trials under our belt, we understand the unique intricacies and delicate nuances present in MVA cases. We leverage our extensive experience and legal skill, as well as our large resources and respected reputation, to help our clients navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation they need to heal.
How Car Accident Claims Work in Florida
Florida is what is known as a no-fault state. This means that after most typical car accidents, you must go through your own auto insurance company to recover compensation. Usually, you do this by filing a PIP claim.
PIP, or personal injury protection, is a mandatory form of insurance coverage in Florida. Every driver in the state is required to have at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. After an accident, PIP covers up to 80% of the injured person’s medical expenses, as well as up to 60% of their lost wages. However, your benefits under PIP are limited if your injuries do not constitute an emergency.
Additionally, under Florida’s 14-day PIP rule, you must seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident to be covered by PIP insurance. If you fail to see a doctor or another medical provider within two weeks of the crash, you cannot file a PIP claim, and you could lose your right to benefits.
When Should You Get A Lawyer For A Car Accident?
In general, it’s always best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after suffering injuries in a car accident. There are a couple reasons for this, the first being the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law which is determined by each state that allocates a specific time period of when a personal injury claim can be filed.
Going Outside the No-Fault Insurance System
One of the main benefits of Florida’s no-fault insurance system is that you can receive compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident regardless of who was at fault. Even if you were to blame for the collision, you can still receive benefits under your PIP coverage.
However, one of the drawbacks of the no-fault system is that it does not cover all your damages after an accident. PIP only covers up to 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages. Plus, it does not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, whatsoever.
For car accident victims who sustain severe, life-altering injuries, PIP coverage may not be enough. The good news is that it is possible to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the other driver and/or their insurance provider if you meet certain requirements.
In most cases, you can go outside the no-fault system if you suffer one of the following injuries:
- Significant/permanent loss of an “important” bodily function
- Significant/major disfigurement and/or scarring
Death also qualifies as a “serious injury,” allowing surviving family members to go outside the no-fault system and bring a wrongful death lawsuit directly against the liable person or party. If you have lost a loved one, our car accident attorneys in St. Augustine can help you pursue damages.
Our goal is to treat you like family, and achieve the best results possible for each and every case we undertake.
What Is Comparative Negligence?
Comparative negligence is a rule that acknowledges that, in many cases, multiple people or parties contribute to or cause an accident. There are two types of comparative negligence: pure comparative negligence and modified comparative negligence. Florida follows the pure comparative negligence rule.
Under the pure comparative negligence rule, you can still bring a motor vehicle accident claim against an at-fault person or party if you were partially at fault for the accident. As long as another entity was at least 1% at fault, you could have grounds for a lawsuit. However, your percentage of fault (as determined by a judge or jury) will affect how much compensation you can recover. For example, if a jury finds you 30% at fault for the accident, your recovery will be reduced by 30% and you will only be able to recover up to 70% of the total amount you would have otherwise received.
Let Us Help So You Can Focus on Recovering
If you were involved in any type of motor vehicle accident in St. Augustine or the surrounding areas, we know your future may seem uncertain—that you may feel anxious or scared.
With decades of experience, our car accident lawyers understand your concerns. We will take great care when dealing with the intricate issues of your case, working with insurance companies, and handling the minute procedural details and legalities so you can concentrate on your recovery and move on with your life.
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"He Earned My Respect & Trust"Andrew came highly recommended by a friend who is a lawyer. In the courtroom, he is incredibly prepared. In giving advice, he steers his clients down the right road. I feel like was looking out for my best interest.- Chip S.
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"They Go Above & Beyond"Divorce is never an easy thing to go through, but Canan Law made the whole thing less difficult. Julie was there for me from the beginning to the end of the divorce process. I would recommend Canan Law to anyone seeking legal services.- Nicole S.
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"Very Grateful"Everyone at Canan Law was friendly and hospitable. Attorney John Westfield was very professional. He listened very well and always had our best interests in mind. Most importantly, he was prepared in court.- Markell F.
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"Thank You For Everything You Have Done"Their entire team was very professional and knowledgeable about my specific case. They took time to explain in detail what they were doing every step of the way. I was EXTREMELY satisfied with the end result.- Hamid B.
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"I Couldn't Be Happier"A wealth of talent at this firm. Responsive and direct; they valued my time and money. My outcome was exactly what I expected despite the many changes that I presented them.- Steve K.
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"Best Lawyer in Florida"Dan Hilbert is probably the best lawyer in Florida hands down. Hire him without a second thought as soon as you are in need of representation.- Brian S.
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"Advocate with Help & Council Tirelessly"Andrew Morgan and Vicky Cobb have been my advocate with help and council tirelessly. I totally endorse this attorney and law firm.- Danielle F.
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"Tremendous, Quick to Respond, Thorough & Friendly"I have always felt like Andrew had my best interest at heart and was working hard to achieve a good outcome. But what has impressed me the most is how much attorneys at other firms respect him.- Wade N.