Car Accident Lawyer in Florida

Car Accident Lawyer in Florida: Your Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

If you were injured in a car accident in West Palm Beach or Palm Beach County, you have a legal right to seek compensation. CHG Personal Injury Lawyers helps injured people recover money for medical bills, lost income, pain, and property damage. We focus exclusively on personal injury claims—including car accidents—and represent injured people throughout Florida. Our team is licensed by the Florida Bar and provides bilingual representation in Spanish and English.

What Is a Car Accident Claim and Who Can File One?

A car accident claim is a formal request for money from the driver who caused the crash (or their insurance company). The claim covers the harm you suffered. You can file a claim if another driver’s carelessness, recklessness, or traffic law violation caused the accident and your injuries.

Common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted driving (texting, phone use, eating, adjusting controls)
• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Impaired driving (alcohol, drugs, or medication)
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Improper lane changes or unsafe merging
• Tailgating or rear-end collisions
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Drowsy driving
• Mechanical failure or poor vehicle maintenance

You do not need a head-on collision to have a valid claim. Rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, and low-speed collisions can all cause serious injury. If you were a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist hit by a car, you also have the right to pursue damages.

What Does a Car Accident Claim Cover?

When you file a car accident claim in West Palm Beach, you can seek compensation for:

Medical Expenses
Emergency care, ambulance transport, hospitalization, surgery, imaging, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, mental health treatment, and future medical care related to your injuries.

Lost Wages
Income you lost while recovering and unable to work. Also, reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your former job or earning at the same level.

Pain and Suffering
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries.

Property Damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings damaged in the crash.

Permanent Injury or Disability
If the accident caused lasting harm—such as chronic pain, scarring, mobility loss, cognitive impairment, or disfigurement—you may recover additional damages. These reflect the long-term impact on your life, relationships, and ability to enjoy activities you once did.

Wrongful Death
If someone was killed in the accident, the family can pursue a wrongful death claim under Fla. Stat. §768.19. Under Fla. Stat. §768.21, each survivor may recover the value of lost support and services, and medical or funeral expenses may be recovered by a survivor who has paid them.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

CHG Personal Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We collect a fee only if we recover compensation for you. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

Here’s how it works:

• No upfront cost to you
• No attorney fees unless money is recovered
• Our fee comes from the settlement or judgment we obtain
• We also handle all costs of investigation, expert witnesses, medical records, and court filings; these costs are recovered from the settlement if we win

This arrangement removes the financial barrier to getting legal help. Our interests align with yours: we succeed only when you do.

How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Car Accident in Florida?

Florida law sets a strict deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit. Under Fla. Stat. §95.11, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Under Fla. Stat. §95.051, certain circumstances, such as the defendant being absent from the state, can pause this deadline, but you should not count on any of them. If you miss it, you lose your right to sue.

Do not wait. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can:

• Preserve evidence (photos, video, dashcam footage, witness statements)
• Obtain police reports and medical records
• Interview witnesses while memories are fresh
• Identify and secure expert witnesses if needed
• Build a strong case before evidence is lost

Insurance claims often move faster than lawsuits, but both have time limits. Contact us immediately after your accident.

How Does the Car Accident Claims Process Work?

The car accident claim process typically follows these steps:

Step 1 – Free Consultation
You meet with our Florida Bar–licensed attorney to discuss your accident, injuries, damages, and concerns. We listen, ask detailed questions, and explain your legal options in plain language. There is no cost and no obligation.

Step 2 – Investigation
We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, photos of vehicle damage, and scene evidence. We may hire accident reconstruction experts if liability is disputed or the cause is unclear.

Step 3 – Demand Letter
We send a detailed demand to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We explain your injuries, medical treatment, damages, lost income, and the legal basis for your claim. We support this with medical records, bills, and evidence of liability.

Step 4 – Negotiation
The insurance company responds with an offer. We negotiate on your behalf, often going back and forth, to reach a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your claim.

Step 5 – Settlement or Lawsuit
If we reach a fair agreement, we settle and close the case. If the insurance company refuses to offer adequate compensation, we file a lawsuit in the appropriate Florida court.

Step 6 – Trial (if necessary)
If the case goes to trial, our attorney presents your evidence and arguments to a jury or judge. We handle all discovery, depositions, and courtroom proceedings.

Step 7 – Recovery
Once we win or settle, we collect the funds, pay any medical liens or subrogation claims, and deliver your compensation to you.

How Long Does a Car Accident Case Take?

The timeline depends on how complex your case is:

• Simple cases (clear liability, minor injuries, cooperative insurance company): 3–6 months to settlement
• Moderate cases (significant injuries, some dispute over fault, multiple medical providers): 6–12 months
• Complex cases (multiple vehicles, serious or catastrophic injuries, disputed liability, multiple defendants): 1–2 years or longer
• Lawsuits: If we must file in court, the process typically takes 1–3 years depending on court schedules and discovery disputes

We keep you informed every step of the way and explain what to expect at each stage. We also discuss settlement offers with you before accepting any resolution.

Insurance Claim vs. Lawsuit: What’s the Difference?

Insurance Claim
You report the accident to the at-fault driver’s insurance company and request compensation. This is usually faster and less formal. Most cases settle at this stage without going to court.

Lawsuit
If the insurance company denies your claim or offers too little, we file a case in court and let a judge or jury decide. This is more formal, takes longer, and requires discovery and trial preparation, but may result in a larger award.

We handle both. You do not have to choose—we pursue the best path for your situation and are prepared to sue if necessary to get you fair compensation.

What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?

This is a common fear, and Florida law addresses it directly. Florida follows comparative negligence under Fla. Stat. §768.81. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages—but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example: If you were found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000 (reduced by your 20% share of fault).

However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything under Florida law.

We investigate thoroughly to determine what actually caused the accident. We minimize any blame assigned to you and challenge the insurance company’s attempts to shift fault to you. We present evidence showing the other driver’s negligence.

What If the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?

This is a real problem in Florida. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still recover through your own insurance policy.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company for your injuries and damages. Your UM coverage steps in to cover what the at-fault driver’s insurance would have paid.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
If the at-fault driver has insurance but the policy limits are too low to cover your damages, your UIM coverage can make up the difference (up to your policy limits).

Other Sources
Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue recovery through the at-fault driver’s personal assets, a homeowner’s or business liability policy if the accident occurred on someone’s property, or a commercial vehicle’s cargo liability if applicable.

We explore all available options to get you compensated. Review your own auto insurance policy now to understand your UM and UIM coverage limits—this is often the difference between full recovery and partial recovery.

Why Choose CHG Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Car Accident Claim?

Bilingual Representation
We serve Spanish-speaking and English-speaking clients in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida. Language is never a barrier to getting help. We communicate with you in your preferred language throughout your case.

Focused Practice
CHG focuses exclusively on personal injury claims, including car accidents. We do not handle other types of cases.

Florida Bar Licensed
Our team is licensed by the Florida Bar and holds the credentials to represent you in court, negotiate with insurance companies, and protect your rights.

No Upfront Cost
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in West Palm Beach

Related Resources

Learn more about how we handle personal injury claims and medical bills and damages. If you need help with how to file an insurance claim, we are here to guide you.

Get Your Free Car Accident Case Evaluation Today

If you were injured in a car accident in West Palm Beach or anywhere in Florida, contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation. We are licensed by the Florida Bar, we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we recover money), and we provide bilingual representation in Spanish and English.

There is no cost, no obligation, and no pressure—just honest advice about your claim and your options. We are ready to listen and to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us for your free case evaluation