Have you or a loved one suffered harm after a motor vehicle accident in Lakeland, FL? You might have a compensation claim for your repair costs, medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and much more. Winters and Yonker, P.A., is ready to put our extensive resources to work for you today.
Our Lakeland car accident attorneys have over 119 years of combined experience. We’re aggressive, fearless litigators who look forward to representing your interests regardless of who we’re up against. We’re confident in our ability to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve after an accident.
To get started, call our law offices at (863) 251-6196 or contact us online. Our personal injury law firm offers a free, no-obligation consultation to go over your case.
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How Winters and Yonker, P.A., Can Help After a Car Accident in Lakeland
A car crash can put you and your family in a tough spot. You might be in a difficult financial position with mounting medical bills and other expenses, not to mention lost wages if you cannot work. An insurance company might be demanding information from you, hoping to minimize or deny your claim. And all of that is on top of your substantial pain and suffering.
You deserve to rest and recover after you’ve been involved in an accident. Let the legal team with Winters and Yonker, P.A., help you navigate your legal options in the meantime. We treat our clients like family and give them the personalized legal representation that a larger law firm simply could not do. When you hire our Lakeland personal injury attorneys to represent you, we can help by:
- Determining the extent and cause of your damages via an internal investigation
- Collecting evidence and hiring experts to help bolster your case
- Negotiating on your behalf to reach a fair settlement agreement, and file a lawsuit if the other party will not negotiate in good faith
- Apprising you of your legal rights and options at all stages of your case
- Protecting you from accusations that you’re mostly to blame for the accident
Contact us today in Lakeland, Florida, to begin forming an attorney-client relationship.
How Prevalent Are Car Accidents in Lakeland, FL?
Unfortunately, car accidents in Lakeland and across the State of Florida are quite common, as indicated by statistics published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). These statistics show that there were over 400,000 car accidents in Florida in 2021. Those crashes resulted in almost 4,000 fatalities and over 250,000 injuries.
In Polk County, there were 13,391 car accidents in 2021, resulting in 181 fatalities and 9,105 injuries. Based on these numbers, on average, there are around 37 car accidents per day in Polk County and a fatality roughly every other day.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of your Lakeland car accident case will come down to the facts and circumstances involved. Some factors influence the value of most cases, and those factors include:
- The terms of any applicable health and car insurance policies
- The severity and type of injuries you’ve suffered
- How much evidence there is to support your claim
- Whether you are partially to blame for the accident
In general terms, the greater the impact the accident has had on your life, the more your case will be worth. We can give you further insight into the value of your case during your free consultation with one of our Lakeland car accident lawyers.
What Damages Are Available To Car Accident Victims in Lakeland?
Car accident victims in Lakeland can pursue two forms of compensatory damages, economic and non-economic, as well as punitive damages.
Economic damages compensate you for the financial consequences of your car accident, including lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the other consequences of your accident. These damages include, for example, your pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
Punitive damages are not usually awarded and are reserved for cases where the defendant’s conduct was especially malicious or outrageous. These damages deter society from acting as the at-fault party did and are meant to “punish” them for their actions.
Can I Recover Damages Even If I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident in Florida?
Yes. Florida operates under a pure comparative negligence doctrine. With this doctrine, you can still receive damages if you’re partially to blame, but your financial award can be reduced proportionately to your assigned percentage of fault.
To illustrate how this works, we’ll assume you’re awarded $500,000 but are found to be 40% at fault for the accident. In that case, you would still receive $300,000, which is the full amount minus your percentage of fault.
Because this system can reduce your financial award so dramatically, the other party involved in your case will almost certainly try to pin most of the blame on you. Winters and Yonker, P.A., will aggressively fight back against these allegations on your behalf when you hire us.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents in Lakeland include:
- Chest injuries
- Brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Burn injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injuries
- Concussions
Whether your injury is listed above or not, our Lakeland car accident attorneys can help you collect damages for every consequence of your incident. Contact us today for legal advice.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Lakeland?
Car accidents in Lakeland are caused by a number of factors. Some of the most prominent include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Running a red light
- Reckless driving
These are just to name a few. An experienced personal injury attorney with Winters and Yonker, P.A., can help you hold the accountable party responsible after a wreck.
We Handle All Types of Car Accident Cases
Because our lawyers have over a century of combined experience, they’ve just about seen it all when it comes to car accident cases. We can handle car accident cases such as:
- Left-turn accidents
- T-Bone accidents
- DUI accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Head-on collisions
And many more. Reach out to our Lakeland car accident lawyers if you have any questions or would like additional information on how we can assist you.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Florida Car Accident?
The majority of car accident cases in Florida are based on a negligence cause of action. Negligence means something similar to “carelessness” and entails proving the following four legal elements:
- Duty
- Breach
- Causation
- Damages
Essentially, you will have to demonstrate that the at-fault party had a duty of care to you and that they violated that duty of care, causing you damages as a result. In some car accident cases, only one or two of these elements will be at issue. But you have the burden of proving each of them by a preponderance of the evidence as the personal injury victim.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Lakeland Car Accident?
By default, you will have four years to file a lawsuit after your Lakeland car accident. This is the deadline established by Florida’s statute of limitations. If you file your lawsuit after that deadline expires, a court will not hear your case, and you won’t be able to pursue compensation.
There are limited circumstances where this deadline can be tolled (paused), such as when the person you are suing flees the state. And if you intend to sue a government agency, you will usually have less time to file suit.
Feel free to reach out to us if you are not sure whether you can still file a lawsuit in your case. That is a determination we can likely make during your free consultation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Florida?
There are some important steps you should take after a Florida car accident. What you do and do not do after an incident can heavily impact your case for compensation down the line. Some quick tips include:
- Remain at the scene and collect any potential evidence. If you flee the scene, it could hurt your case. Evidence will be required to prove your case, so taking photos and videos of the scene can be beneficial if you’re able to.
- Contact the authorities and receive medical attention. Calling 911 will satisfy the former. Medical care is an important source of evidence for your case, so it’s worth visiting a doctor even if you don’t have an apparent injury.
- Do not accept blame for the accident or apologize. These kinds of statements could be used against you in order to minimize your claim.
You should also contact a Lakeland car accident attorney as soon as you can. A lawyer can help guide you through your options as the situation progresses.
Contact Our Lakeland Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Car accidents in Lakeland can lead to serious consequences for you and your loved ones. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim and won’t be looking out for your best interests.
That’s one reason why hiring a Lakeland car accident attorney is worthwhile. The experienced lawyers with Winters and Yonker, P.A., are here to look out for your interests and ensure you’re not taken advantage of by the other side. Our goal is to maximize your compensation and help you get back on your feet after an accident.
Contact our personal injury law firm today for a completely free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call.
Lakeland Car Accident Client Review
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Local Auto Repair Shops Near You
- Car Tech Auto Repair of Lakeland – 218 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801
- Superior Auto Tech – 909 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801
- Westside Auto Repair – 111 W Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33815
- Joyce Automotive – 1034 E Main St, Lakeland, FL 33801
- BOB’S Auto Repairs – 114 E Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33801
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest-rated auto repair shops on Yelp.