West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer

West Palm Beach is an attractive place to live and visit thanks to its year-round warm weather and tropical climate. What makes everyone from young professionals to retirees call it home makes visitors looking to escape from colder regions during winter months call it their vacation destination. For this reason, major roads like I-95 can get especially congested—and therefore dangerous—during peak hours. More people on the road means more opportunities for car accidents to happen, and these accidents can often lead to physical injury and/or emotional trauma. To make matters worse, legal systems and insurance companies make recovery a confusing and time-consuming process. To restore calm to your recovery, it is vital to call a car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach.

If you’ve been injured physically or emotionally in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation beyond your insurance coverage. Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner, where our team of West Palm Beach car accident lawyers works hard to get you the compensation that insurance companies won’t.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach

In West Palm Beach, strict statutes of limitations require accident victims to file a lawsuit within a specific timeframe. As of 2024, Florida law allows only two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for compensation. Missing this deadline can prevent you from obtaining the justice and compensation you deserve.

Experienced in car accident claims, our lawyers understand the complexities of Florida’s legal deadlines, which can vary based on the type of accident and the vehicles involved. They ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed promptly and correctly.

Here are some key advantages of hiring a car accident lawyer:

• Maximizing Compensation: Lawyers evaluate the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, to secure the compensation you deserve.
• Navigating Complex Legal Processes: Attorneys simplify the legal process, handling all paperwork and negotiations with insurance companies, reducing your stress.
• Proving Liability: With expertise in gathering and presenting evidence, lawyers strengthen your case by establishing fault through witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimonies.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Lawyers are skilled in dealing with insurance companies, ensuring that your claim is not undervalued or wrongfully denied.
• Providing Peace of Mind: Having a professional manage your personal injury case allows you to focus on your recovery, confident that your lawyer is working towards the best possible outcome.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner team’s car accident attorneys in West Palm Beach are dedicated to collecting and presenting the necessary evidence to prove your case and maximize the compensation you’re owed.

How to Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer

Steinger, Greene & Feiner is your best choice for a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach because we know how to navigate its legal systems like we do its roadways. We care about the community and understand its local jurisdictions, as evidenced by the results we’ve been able to achieve for our clients.

Our legal representation has resulted in billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Some of our past settlements include:

• $13,000,000 Settlement for a car accident involving a bicyclist
• $11,500,000 Settlement for death resulting from an auto accident
• $10,000,000 Settlement for death resulting from an auto accident

Car Accident Laws in Florida

Florida operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, which requires drivers to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This PIP coverage is designed to cover medical expenses regardless of who is at fault in the accident. However, if you cannot prove that you’ve suffered an emergency medical condition after a motor vehicle accident, your insurance benefits may be limited to $2,500 of that coverage.

If your medical bills exceed the $10,000 PIP coverage, you may have the right to sue for additional compensation. This often requires proving that your injuries are severe enough to meet the legal threshold for pursuing a claim beyond PIP limits. An experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can help you explore your legal options to determine if full litigation is warranted.

Florida Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits

In 2024, Florida law stipulates that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries resulting from a car accident. This is a change from the previous four-year limitation. If you fail to take action within this timeframe, you may lose the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Additionally, Florida follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you are found partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.

Regardless of the specifics of your case, the personal injury lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner are deeply familiar with local laws, including the recent changes to the statute of limitations, and can guide you to secure the maximum coverage and compensation you deserve.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident

1. Safety should be your first priority in the moments following an auto accident. Seek prompt medical care, even if injuries seem minor, as this establishes a documentation trail that will later be helpful for your case.
2. Report the accident. Dial 911 or contact the police and provide detailed information to the dispatcher.
3. Once you’ve regained your composure and received proper medical attention, gather contact information and insurance details from the other drivers involved, but do not admit fault during any of these exchanges. 
4. You should also inform your insurance provider about the accident, but consult a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer before providing them with any sort of recorded statement. Insurance companies will use anything you say to try to minimize payouts, so speaking with an experienced car wreck attorneys first will help secure maximum compensation.
5. Strengthen your case by thoroughly documenting the accident scene for legal evidence. Use your phone’s camera to capture photos and videos of vehicle damage, injuries sustained, and eyewitness accounts. 
6. Contact the West Palm Beach Police Department to file an official report, further documenting the damages.

Refrain from discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer—especially avoid posting about the accident on social media. Attorney-client confidentiality protects your private discussions, while public statements can potentially undermine your case. An experienced lawyer understands these nuances and timely legal consultation increases your chances for a fair settlement.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in West Palm Beach

Car accidents in West Palm Beach stem from various causes, each impacting the severity of the accident and resulting injuries.

• Drunk Driving: Drunk driving remains a significant issue in Florida. In 2023, Palm Beach County reported 245 alcohol-related crashes, leading to 140 injuries and six fatalities. Despite gradual declines, it remains a critical concern with severe consequences.
• Distracted Driving: Activities like texting, eating, or adjusting controls while driving divert attention from the road, leading to cognitive, visual, or manual distractions. These distractions significantly increase the risk of accidents.
• Improper Lane Changes or Turns: Ignoring traffic signs or signals can lead to dangerous accidents, particularly during improper lane changes or turns.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Disregarding traffic signals often results in serious collisions involving other vehicles or pedestrians .
• Speeding: Speeding is a leading cause of accidents. Adhering to speed limits is crucial, even when time is tight, to prevent accidents.
• Tailgating: Following too closely behind another vehicle reduces reaction time, often leading to rear-end collisions.
• Mechanical Failures or Tire Blowouts: Mechanical issues or tire blowouts can cause vehicles to swerve unexpectedly, increasing the risk of multi-vehicle accidents.

Common Types of Car Accident Cases in West Palm Beach

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 26,238 car accidents in Palm Beach County in 2023. These crashes resulted in 182 deaths and 16,243 injuries. 

These numbers are a direct result of reckless driving behaviors—like speeding. Steinger, Greene & Feiner has over 20 years of experience representing car accident victims in the greater West Palm Beach area, so we’ve seen every type of accident imaginable. Our team of West Palm Beach car accident lawyers understands that accidents happen, but they are preventable. 

Below are some of the most common types of car accidents and their causes:

• Rear-end Collisions: Rear-end collisions can be caused by distracted drivers who fail to stop due to looking at their phones or whatever is going on outside the car. Based on the point of impact, these types of collisions can result in head, back, and neck injuries. They can be temporary or permanent, so it is imperative to seek medical care immediately following a rear-end collision.
• Head-on Collisions: Perhaps you’re driving at night on a rural highway with a lack of lighting, and an oncoming car neglects to turn its headlights on. You might not see it and it may swerve suddenly, entering your lane and causing a head-on collision. These types of collisions may lead to facial, head, neck, and shoulder injuries which may also be temporary or permanent. Permanent injuries can cause emotional stress or recurring pain and suffering which may affect the quality of life for some.
• T-Bone, or Side Collision: Side collisions can be caused by someone blowing a stop light or running an intersection because they’re late for work. Depending on the speed, an impact on the side of your vehicle can cause injury to the lower back or lower limbs. Broken hips or broken legs are common after a T-Bone, or side collision.
• Parked Car Accidents: Just because your vehicle isn’t moving doesn’t mean you can’t fall victim to a car accident. You may be parked and get struck by another vehicle whose driver can’t see you in their blind spot. Depending on the speed of that other vehicle, the accident may result in an injury.
• Drunk Driving Accidents, DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dulls the senses, slowing reaction times and impairing decision-making. Intoxicated drivers pose a higher risk of being involved with or involving others in car accidents. Highway drunk driving accidents can be fatal and involve a number of cars.
• Distracted Driving Accident: This type occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from the road due to activities such as texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or conversing with passengers. These accidents can happen in various forms, including rear-end collisions, side-swipes, or more severe impacts, depending on the circumstances.
• Hit and Run Accident: This happens when a driver involved in a collision flees the scene without providing contact information or offering assistance to the injured. This type of accident can leave victims without immediate help and complicate the process of obtaining compensation for injuries or damages.
• Reckless Driving Accident: This types involves operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for safety, often characterized by excessive speeding, aggressive maneuvers, or ignoring traffic signals. Such behavior significantly increases the likelihood of accidents, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.

Common Car Accident Injury

The types of serious injuries caused by the accident may include:

• Cuts and bruises. Cuts and bruises are incredibly common in serious car accidents. Anything inside your car, like a cell phone, a GPS device, sunglasses, or a metallic water bottle, can be thrown about the car in an accident and strike passengers, causing deep lacerations, minor scrapes and cuts, and bruises.
• Whiplash. Whiplash can be incredibly minor or severe. It’s the most common injuries sustained in rear-end accidents as a result of the neck muscles moving in unexpected ways. It can result in neck stiffness, pain, and headaches. It can also manifest in the form of chronic neck pain and, in the worst of cases, head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
• Head injuries. Head injuries are a common result of car accidents because of the unexpected change in direction the car takes or the jarring movement from the impact. This causes the head to go into an unnatural movement very quickly that strains the muscles in the neck, the back, and the head. At high enough speeds it can result in concussions and subsequently brain damage, especially if the head hits a part of the car, such as the steering wheel or the windshield.
• Broken and fractured bones. Your bones are at a very high risk of being broken or fractured during a car accident as they hit the car door or the steering wheel at high enough speeds. Depending on the location of the break and the severity, it can take months to heal fully. In the interim, it may be difficult to complete any of your daily tasks or return to work.
• Internal Bleeding. Internal organs are at serious risk for internal bleeding, especially if the center of your body takes the brunt of the impact. This may occur if you were pushed forward into the dashboard or the steering wheel.
• Herniated discs. Herniated discs are one of the most common back injuries sustained in a car accident and can produce muscle weakness, regular pain in the arms and legs, and tingling sensations.

What to Expect from Your Auto Accident Lawyer

Successful car wreck attorney will use a variety of services and techniques to make sure that your rights are protected while you recover from physical or emotional damage sustained in an accident. 

Upon taking your case, your lawyer will initiate an investigation to uncover the details of your car accident. One of the initial steps involves obtaining a copy of the medical and police reports, which contain crucial information such as the location, time, extent of injuries, road and weather conditions, determination of fault, and other relevant facts.

A good personal accident lawyer car accident attorney will use the information in these reports to enlist the services of an accident reconstructionist. Accident reconstructionists are experts who apply principles of physics and engineering to recreate the precise sequence of events leading to the collision. Their analysis aids in establishing accident causes as well as faults.

To further strengthen your case, your car accident lawyer may consult additional experts like medical professionals and psychologists. These specialists assess the nature and extent of your injuries, both physical and mental. 

Our car accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner have been using techniques like these for over a decade, safeguarding the interests of individuals and their families. They will collect and review all documents and photographs related to the case, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare for possible litigation. By thoroughly evaluating your case in this manner, they can calculate a realistic figure for the compensation you rightfully deserve.

What compensation can I receive in a car accident lawsuit?

If your injury leaves you with medical and other expenses beyond the scope of PIP, you may be able to file a car accident lawsuit to recover your losses. Generally, these damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages pertain to compensation for the real money you lost, such as:

• Medical expenses above $10,000
• Lost wages above $10,000
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Additionally, your lawsuit may help you recover compensation for non-economic damages you suffered. These are losses that have nothing to do with tangible money. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional pain or distress
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Permanent disabilities and impairments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t Give a Recorded Statement Without Consulting a Lawyer

You should absolutely avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company without consulting a car accident attorney. The more information you reveal, even seemingly innocuous details about your medical recovery or your symptoms or past medical conditions, the higher the likelihood that the company will fight you tooth and nail to deny your claim. This is something best left to an experienced West Palm Beach car crash lawyer.

How an Investigation Helps Build Your Case

Once a car accident attorney decides to take your case, they will launch an investigation into your car accident. One of the first steps your lawyer will take is getting a copy of the police report. This report will contain all of the pertinent details of the accident, including where and when it happened, road and weather conditions, who was determined to be at fault, and more.

With this report, your attorney may hire an accident reconstructionist to help build your case. An accident reconstructionist uses the laws of physics and engineering to recreate exactly what happened in your accident. This helps determine exactly who’s at fault and how the collision happened.

Your car accident attorney may also hire other experts, like doctors and psychologists, to further build your case by investigating your injuries, physical and mental, and other aspects of the incident. They will also investigate all the documents and photos you provide to ensure they come up with a realistic number for the compensation you deserve. Our car accidents lawyers in West Palm Beach have been fighting for and protecting the interests of individuals and their families through personal injury claims for more than a decade.

What Part Does Negligence Play in a Car Accident Case?

One of the most important aspects your personal injury lawyer will investigate is whether negligence played a role in the accident. In order for you to receive compensation, the other driver must have intentionally caused the accident, or acted negligently — that is, in a way that another reasonable person wouldn’t.

For negligence to be proven, you must show that the other driver breached their duty of care to drive safely, follow all traffic laws, and avoid causing injury. You must also show that their actions caused your injury and that their actions weren’t caused by an unforeseeable incident (such as swerving to dodge a tree falling in the road). Finally, you must show you suffered real monetary loss as a result of the accident.

Florida is a pure comparative fault state. This means you can receive compensation for your injuries, even if you were partially at fault. Your car accident insurance lawyer will fight for your compensation no matter who is at fault, even you. However, the amount of compensation you receive will be lessened by the amount you are at fault. For instance, if the total compensation awarded is $10,000, but you are found 30% at fault, you would only receive $7,000.

Get in Touch with Our West Palm Beach Car Accident Attorneys

If you’ve been in a car accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about navigating Florida’s legal system. The experienced car accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner will make sure that you get to focus on what matters most: your recovery. The sooner you consult legal experts following an accident in West Palm Beach, the sooner you’ll receive reimbursement for your losses.

Call our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys at (561) 566-5021 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer today. We also invite you to visit us at our offices: 1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, 8th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.