phillips, hunt & walker Car Accident FAQ
Car Accident FAQ
Looking for a Car Accident FAQ? Find answers to common questions about your rights, insurance, and legal deadlines in Florida.
1. What should I do immediately after a car accident in Florida?
- • Check for injuries and call 911. (Florida Statutes § 316.062)
- • Move to a safe location if possible.
- • Exchange information with other drivers (name, contact, insurance).
- • Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries.
- • Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine.
- • Contact a car accident attorney to protect your rights.
Source: Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
2. Do I have to report the accident to the police? Yes, Florida law requires reporting if there are injuries, fatalities, or property damage over $500. (Florida Statutes § 316.066)
Source: Florida Legislature – Traffic Crash Reports
3. How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida? You generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit due to recent legal changes. For property damage claims, it’s four years. (Florida Statutes § 95.11)
Source: Florida Legislature – Statute of Limitations
4. Is Florida a no-fault state? Yes. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses, regardless of fault. However, you may pursue additional compensation if you suffer serious injuries. (Florida Statutes § 627.736)
Source: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
5. What if the other driver was uninsured? If you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it can help cover your expenses. Otherwise, you may need to sue the at-fault driver personally.
Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
6. Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault? Yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, but they’ll be reduced by your percentage of fault. (Florida Statutes § 768.81)
Source: Florida Legislature – Comparative Fault
7. What damages can I recover in a car accident lawsuit?
- • Medical expenses (current and future)
- • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- • Pain and suffering
- • Property damage
- • Emotional distress
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Injury Costs
8. How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer? Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless you win your case. (Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5)
Source: The Florida Bar – Attorney Fees
9. How long does a car accident case take to settle? It varies. Some cases settle in a few months, while more complex cases involving serious injuries or disputes may take a year or longer.
Source: Insurance Information Institute (III)
10. What if the insurance company offers me a quick settlement? Be cautious. Insurance companies often offer low initial settlements to save money. Consult a lawyer before accepting any offer to ensure you get full compensation.
Source: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Dealing with Insurance Companies
phillips & hunt Results
$495+ Million Verdict
Phillips obtained one of the largest verdicts in American history of over $495+ Million dollars in the shooting death of Kalil McCoy. Her killer was also convicted in the criminal courts.
DetailsJordan Davis: Wrongful Death
Represented the family of Jordan Davis and assisted with criminal prosecution of Jordan's killer, handled media relations of internationally reported case and obtained confidential maximum available civil settlement.
DetailsMedical Malpractice
Confidential settlement of over 120 cases against a pediatric dentist who was also prosecuted. We also assisted with shutting his dental practice down. He no longer practices dentistry and was arrested.
DetailsAutomobile Accident
We received a record $2.6 Million Jury Verdict against Volusia County. It was one of the highest ever against Volusia County. Our trial was televised on Good Morning America and reported nationally.
DetailsRSD / CRPS Verdict
Obtained jury verdict in Jacksonville, Florida of over $900,000 and added attorneys fees of over $250,000 on a case State Farm only offered approximately $30,000 for years.
Details$1.1 Million Verdict Against Coca-Cola
We obtained an over $1 million jury verdict against Coca-Cola in moderate impact soft tissue damages case in Gainesville, Florida. Coca-Cola failed to even offer medical bills before trial.
DetailsBrain Injury Medical Malpractice
Phillips obtained a confidential settlement against a chiropractor who provided prescription pain medication to a boxer in advance of an Olympic qualifying fight. She sustained a brain injury due to secondary impact syndrome.
Details$1 Million Settlement
Client's child was tragically run over and killed by a motor vehicle in her driveway. Phillips and his team settled the case for over $1 Million without the need of filing a lawsuit.
DetailsOver $1 Million Settlement
Cliente recibió más de $ 1 millón en accidente automovilístico. También ayudamos a clientes que hablan español. We handle cases in English, Spanish and Creole.
DetailsContact Us
We invite you to review our verdicts, our accolades and awards and what clients have to say about us and give us a call for a free consultation where our lawyers will sit down with you personally. John represents clients in Florida, Georgia and Alabama with passion and compassion. He can be emailed at help@floridajustice.com or call us at (904) 444-4444.
Request a
free consultation
Semi-Truck Wreck Boating Accident Lawyers Bicycle Accident Attorney Amputation and Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Premises Liability Lawyer Drunk Driving and DUI Related Injury Lawyer Gun Violence and Gun Shot Accident Lawyer Animal Attacks and Dog Bite Lawyer Medical Malpractice Lawyer Aviation / Airplane Crash Injury Lawyers Wrongful Death Lawyer Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Attorney Brain Injury or Concussive Symptoms Lawyer Broken Bone and Serious Injury Lawyer Burn and Fire Injury
Lawyer Jacksonville Chronic Pain, RSD and CRPS Lawyer Motorcycle or Motor Scooter Accident Lawyer Negligent Security Lawyer Spinal Injury Lawyer Product Liability and Defect Lawyer Police Brutality or Civil Rights Lawyer Food Poisoning and Tainted Food Lawyer Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Lawyer Insurance Dispute / Bad Faith Lawyers Public Transportation and Bus Accident Lawyer Government and Sovereign Immunity Claims Lawyer Vacation Accident / Negligence Lawyers Florida School Violence Bullying Lawyer Workers Compensation and Workers Compensation Immunity Lawyer Zip Line Accident and Amusement Park Accident Lawyer