Car Accident Lawyer

Florida’s no-fault system and personal injury laws are complex and nuanced, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way:

• No-Fault PIP System: Florida requires $10,000 in PIP coverage, but you must seek treatment within 14 days from authorized providers (doctors, chiropractors, hospitals) or risk losing benefits (up to $10,000 reduced to $2,500).
• Modified Comparative Negligence: Florida’s modified comparative negligence (with 51% bar rule) reduces damages if you’re partly at fault; over 50% fault bars recovery.
• Statute of Limitations: You have two years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit, with exceptions for medical malpractice or minors.
• Punitive Damages: Available for reckless behavior (e.g., drunk driving), capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000.

Understanding Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System

Florida operates under a “no-fault” framework, requiring you to contact your insurance provider immediately after any car accident, regardless of who caused it. This system requires you to file a claim with your own insurer to cover initial expenses, no matter which driver is responsible for the collision.

It’s equally important to consult an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Florida’s no-fault insurance process is intricate, filled with strict deadlines and technical requirements that can be challenging to navigate without professional guidance. An experienced lawyer will simplify the process, reduce your stress, and work to secure the full compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

Under Florida’s no-fault system, your insurance policy is the first resource for covering medical expenses, lost wages, and costs for services you can no longer perform due to your injuries, such as household chores. This applies universally, regardless of fault in the accident.

Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) Coverage

Florida law requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection insurance. This coverage ensures that accident victims receive benefits up to their policy limit, regardless of who is at fault. PIP insurance also protects you if you’re injured as a passenger in another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist involved in a motor vehicle collision.

Timing is crucial for a successful PIP claim. You must seek initial medical treatment from an authorized healthcare provider within 14 days of the accident. Missing this deadline, or failing to comply with other technical PIP regulations, could significantly reduce your benefits (from $10,000 to as little as $2,500) or result in a complete denial of your claim.

Authorized providers for PIP claims include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, hospitals, and emergency medical personnel.

Medical costs and lost income can quickly surpass the $10,000 PIP minimum, even in minor accidents. Once PIP benefits are depleted, you may need to explore additional insurance options, such as health insurance or Uninsured Motorist coverage, or pursue compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance. The interplay between PIP claims, other insurance policies, and third-party liability creates a complex situation that can easily overwhelm accident victims.

Yes! Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar rule. While many states use the term “comparative negligence,” Florida law refers to this as “comparative fault.”

This legal framework assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved—including the injured person (plaintiff) and any defendants. The amount of compensation a plaintiff can recover depends on their degree of responsibility for the accident.

How It Works:

• If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
• If you are 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation under Florida’s 51% bar rule.

Example:

Suppose a jury awards $1 million in damages but finds the plaintiff 50% at fault for the accident. The plaintiff’s damage award is reduced by their assigned percentage of fault (50%) for a final award of $500,000 ($1,000,000 minus $500,000 = $500,000).

However, if the plaintiff is deemed 51% or more at fault, they receive nothing.

Florida allows injury victims to pursue compensation only if they are no more than 50% at fault. If fault reaches 51%, recovery is completely blocked.

We fight for all the compensation to which you may be entitled:

• Economic Damages: Medical bills, lost wages, property damage.
• Noneconomic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive Damages: To punish reckless or intentional misconduct.

Settlements may be lump sum or structured, depending on your needs. We ensure coverage beyond PIP limits, including uninsured motorist claims if applicable.

When someone’s careless actions cause harm to others, Florida’s legal system provides a path to compensation. Our state’s laws require all individuals to act with appropriate regard for the safety of others in their daily activities. This legal responsibility, known as the “duty of care,” forms the foundation of personal injury claims.

Proving Your Personal Injury Case

Injury victims seeking compensation must demonstrate four key elements:

1. Duty – The other party had a legal obligation to act in a safe manner
2. Breach – The other party violated their duty through careless actions
3. Causation – The negligent behavior directly led to your injuries
4. Damages – You suffered actual losses due to the incident

Building a strong case requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. Medical reports, accident reconstruction, witness statements, and expert testimony often play crucial roles in establishing these elements.

The complexity of proving negligence underscores why having experienced legal representation matters. A skilled personal injury attorney can help identify all responsible parties, preserve critical evidence, and build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.

Not all car accident attorneys are created equal. While many lawyers handle accident claims, relatively few possess the courtroom experience and litigation skills necessary to take cases to trial. The BillBone Law Group stand apart as seasoned trial attorneys—a distinction that matters when fighting for maximum compensation.

Why Trial Experience Matters in Car Accident Cases

Insurance companies assess which attorneys will actually take a case to court—and adjust their settlement offers accordingly. When facing a lawyer with a proven trial record, insurers know unreasonably low offers could backfire, potentially resulting in substantially higher jury awards. This leverage helps ensure fair settlement negotiations from the start.

However, many car accident lawyers never go to trial. Insurers track these firms closely and often extend lowball settlements, knowing there’s no real risk of litigation. Without trial capability, attorneys have limited power to demand full value—even when settlements are blatantly inadequate.

The Hidden Cost of ‘Settlement-Only’ Lawyers

Lawyers who avoid trials may secure some compensation but often far less than what clients truly deserve. Consider:

• No trial threat = weaker negotiating position – Insurers insist on minimal offers, expecting eventual acceptance.
• Rushed resolutions – Some attorneys prioritize quick settlements over maximizing recovery. That is, it’s simply a “numbers game” to them.
• Undervalued claims – Catastrophic injuries demand aggressive advocacy, not just paperwork.

Bill Bone Law Group rejects this approach to the practice of car accident law. Our litigation expertise ensures that insurers take every one of our claims seriously—because if a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re prepared to fight in court.

The Bottom Line

If you’re injured, your attorney’s willingness to go to trial directly impacts your compensation. Don’t settle for a lawyer who settles for less. With Bill Bone Law Group, you gain advocates who leverage decades of trial experience to secure what you’re owed—not just what insurers want to pay.

When justice requires a fight, we won’t back down.

Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, but our trial-ready approach and deep knowledge of Florida car accident law counter their tactics. We offer:

• Personalized Attention: Work directly with Bill Bone, not junior associates.
• Compassion and Integrity: We provide honest advice, even if it means telling you that you don’t have a valid claim.
• Stress-Free Support: We handle all medical bills, insurance claims, and legal paperwork, keeping you informed.