It can happen in a second. You are on your way back to your condo rental after a long day in Orlando’s tourist parks. A driver runs a red light and smashes right into your vehicle. When you wake up after the crash, you know you’re injured immediately. Your feel intense pain in your leg. Your head and neck were jolted in the crash and are throbbing in pain. You’re having problems breathing too. Your ribs may be broken . . . or worse. You check and your children are OK – thank goodness.
However, when you’re recovering in the hospital from a broken leg, a concussion, broken ribs and a broken collarbone, you find out why the accident really happened: the other driver was drunk. How will that impact your injury claim?
Right after the accident
First, you shouldn’t overlook the fact that you and your children are lucky to be alive. In 2018, according to the National Highway Safety Administration, more than 10,500 people died in drunk driving crashes. Second, because you sustained serious injuries in your accident, leading to expensive medical bills and you missing work, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
How an attorney can help
You will want an attorney’s advice as you navigate your personal injury claim. Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning you first will tap into the $10,000 in personal injury protection from your own insurance company. However, you most likely will face larger costs than that in paying medical bills and missing work after a serious accident injury.
You may need to sue the other driver’s insurance company or the driver themselves to fully cover your medical bills and lost wages. If you end up with a permanent injury, you may want to seek pain and suffering damages too. An experienced injury attorney can help you prepare your case so you can get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Recovering from serious injuries after an accident can feel overwhelming. By seeking legal help for your personal injury claim, you are more likely to get the compensation you need. Then you can spend time focusing on your recovery, not worrying about how you will pay for all your injury-related costs.