Personal Injury Attorney in Pensacola, Florida
Painful or serious injuries, or the death of a loved one, can be the most traumatic event in a person's life. It is even harder to face when the injury or death has resulted from the negligence of someone else. These trying times are further complicated by trying to deal with insurance companies, loss of work and income, medical situations, and more.
Additionally, our laws have become so complex that most people are often not aware of what steps they need to take and what their rights are in these situations. This is when you need the counsel of a caring, competent lawyer, one who knows how the system works and can make it work for you.
Over the years, the firm of David Lee Sellers has tried, handled, and resolved hundreds of injury claims worth millions of dollars to the victims of personal injury and wrongful death. Mr. Sellers is highly experienced in dealing with insurance companies whether your intent is to advantageously settle your claim or aggressively litigate your matter in court. The firm is dedicated to ensuring you are fairly and completely compensated for your claim whether your injuries are caused by a car or truck accident, criminal or animal attack, or on property belonging to someone else.
Property Damage (PD)
When your vehicle or other property is damaged in a wreck, you are entitled to have it repaired or paid for by the insurance company of the person who caused the wreck. Sometimes, it is quicker and less difficult to have your own insurance company undertake these repairs (if you have comprehensive or collision coverage). Your company should be able to get your deductible reimbursed to you from the responsible parties' insurance company and is obligated to make this reimbursement to you.
You should take it upon yourself to immediately report the loss to the insurance company of the person who caused the wreck, as he or she may very well not have reported the wreck.
You are entitled to have other property that was damaged in the wreck paid for or repaired as well (such as eyeglasses, clothing, or any other item(s) which may have been damaged).
You may select the body shop of your choice to estimate and repair your vehicle and get a second opinion of the damage and cost of repairs to your vehicle. The repairs are required to be made with "like" kind and condition parts (not plastic or fiberglass for steel) notwithstanding anything the insurance company tells you to the contrary.
You are also entitled to have the insurance company of the person causing the wreck to authorize or reimburse you for the cost of a rental vehicle during the time you lose the use of the vehicle. In the event you do not need a rental vehicle, you are still entitled to be paid the reasonable value for the loss of use of your vehicle until it is repaired.
Lastly, in the event the cost of repairing your vehicle is estimated to be a value which is 80% or more of the fair market value of your vehicle, the company will probably declare your vehicle a "total" loss. In this event, you can either sell the vehicle to the insurance company for its "salvage" or parts value (usually several hundred dollars) or keep the vehicle. In either event, the company is responsible for paying you for at least 80% of the fair market value of the vehicle. Fair market value is not the amount you paid for the vehicle but is the amount for which you might reasonably expect to sell the vehicle to someone in the area where you live, given the age, condition, and mileage of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is declared a "total" loss, you cannot lawfully drive the vehicle in Florida and will not be able to get anything but a "salvage" title on the vehicle. The company is also responsible for paying you 7% sales tax on the sale of the vehicle (in Escambia County), together with the cost of transferring the tag to another vehicle.
Auto Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, and Trucking Accidents
Based on recent studies and statistics, it is estimated that in the United States, there are 733 auto-related accidents every hour. On average, 4 people die in auto accidents every hour. Accidents can result in substantial personal and financial hardship. If you have been involved in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident and have suffered either financial hardship or personal injury, the Florida auto accident lawyer, David Lee Sellers can represent your case and ensure that you are compensated justly for all that you have had to endure.
Whether the auto accident was your fault or the result of negligence of another driver, there are some important steps you should follow to ensure your personal safety and to help build your case.
Stay at the scene of the accident Laws regarding car accidents in Florida require you to remain at the location of the accident until the proper procedures have been followed including police or highway patrol reporting. If the police are involved they will determine when you are able to leave the scene of the accident.
Gather as much information regarding the accident as possible It is advisable to keep a camera in the car to document the accident including photos of the cars involved and the surrounding environmental and road conditions, etc. To aid your insurance company in filing a claim, you should document as much information about the parties involved as possible including driver license numbers (of the drivers involved), phone numbers, addresses, and insurance policy numbers. Keeping your car accident, motorcycle accident or truck accident well documented will aid both the insurance company and your auto accident attorney to build your claim.
Avoid idle conversation or discussing blame with the other party involved Legally you are only required to discuss the accident with authorities.
Keep thorough records of medical and financial costs Documenting your medical and financial hardships and bills that result from the Florida auto accident is essential in building your case and documenting any financial liability of the guilty party. After your auto accident, keep any receipts or records of hospital visits, medical expenses, and personal costs including days that you missed work as a result of the car accident.
Notify your insurance as soon as possible If you collected all the necessary information at the scene of the accident, initiating the claim with your insurance should be a smooth process. The sooner you contact your auto insurance company, the sooner they can begin their claim process and assist you in acquiring a rental (if covered) and notifying you of what your policy covers.
The above tips are not a comprehensive list of all that should be considered if you are involved in a Florida auto accident. Being prepared is the first step in ensuring you experience as little suffering and inconvenience as possible. In a car accident, the number one priority is the safety of all those involved. At the David Lee Sellers law firm, our priority is your safety and your peace of mind including all aspects of your auto accident.
If you are involved in an auto accident or experience personal injury as a result of negligence, David Lee Sellers and his expert team have the experience you need. If you are looking for an attorney in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties including Gulf Breeze, Ft. Walton, Navarre, and Destin contact David Lee Sellers today.