Fighting For Lakeland Car Accident Victims

Lakeland Car Accident Lawyer Near You

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident or motorcycle accident, contact an auto accident attorney in Lakeland, FL, today. Doing so can help ensure that you get the compensation you need to recover.

The Lakeland auto accident attorneys at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk are standing by and ready to help you with your case. So, don’t wait—call us today to discuss your case and see what we can do for you.

In 2018, there were 403,626 total motor vehicle crashes in the state of Florida. Of these, 2,917 were fatal and 167,219 resulted in injuries.

As you can see, vehicle accidents are a prevalent concern throughout the State of Florida. So, what do you do if you sustain injuries in an accident?

If you have been involved in a car accident in Lakeland and are considering hiring an attorney, you have probably realized that selecting one is no easy task.

A quick internet search will yield dozens of vehicle accident law firms in Polk County that want to take your case. So how do you select an experienced law firm for you and your case?

We Have a Reputation for Success

Abrahamson & Uiterwyk has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report with a “Best Law Firm” rating, an A+ Rating with the BBB, and an “AV” Rating with Martindale-Hubbell, a national law firm rating system. We have a reputation for success, and we have worked tirelessly to earn it.

We Have Extensive Experience Successfully Handling Auto Accident Cases

Abrahamson & Uiterwyk has been representing individuals in personal injury cases for over thirty years. We have helped more than 20,000 injury victims throughout some of the most difficult times in their lives, and we will fight to do the same for you.

We Have Received Great Feedback From Past Clients

Don’t just take our word for it. We are both proud and humbled to have received such great reviews and testimonials from our former clients. Some of the best indicators of a successful attorney are the review of their past clients, so we don’t take this lightly. We encourage you to read some of their reviews to see if we might be a good fit for you too.

A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. And in the aftermath of an accident, emotions can run high. Very often, shock and stress can leave you feeling confused and uncertain as to what to do next.

Despite this, however, it is important to stay calm and alert. Doing so can be imperative to protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery. Below are three crucial steps you should take after involvement in an accident in Lakeland.

Step 1: Contact the Authorities

After an accident, it is extremely important that you contact the authorities. Not only is this strongly recommended no matter how severe the incident, in some cases, contacting the authorities after your accident is required.

Florida law requires you to report an accident to the local authorities if the accident resulted in:

• Injury to any parties involved;
• Death of any parties; or
• Property damage of at least $500.

Even if you are unsure as to whether any of the above apply, you should err on the side of caution. It can’t hurt to contact the police just in case.

When you call 911 after a vehicle collision, officers will promptly report to the scene. These officers can help divert traffic and get you out of harm’s way, thereby reducing the likelihood of any further injuries and damage.

More importantly, however, another benefit of contacting the police is that they will prepare a formal accident report. This accident report will contain critical information such as:

• Names and contact information of any drivers, passengers, and other parties involved;
• Names of any insurance companies for the parties involved;
• A description of the vehicles involved;
• The date, time, and location;
• Names and contact information of any witnesses to the crash; and
• The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash.

The information contained in the Florida Highway Patrol accident report can be great evidence that can be used to your advantage as you move forward with your case.

Make sure you get all of the information you can about the drivers and vehicles involved, including license plate numbers, insurance information for the other driver, and the accident report number given by the responding officer.

Step 2: Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible

After a car accident, make sure to check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone has sustained any severe or potentially life-threatening injuries, make sure to call an ambulance.

Even if there are no apparent severe injuries, it is still imperative that you seek diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional as soon as possible. Injuries like whiplash can take some time to appear.

Not only is this important for your own health and safety, but it is also important to ultimately getting the financial compensation you will need to begin recovering from your injuries.

A successful claim will frequently come down to whether and to what extent you can actually prove your damages. If you don’t have any proof or verification from a medical professional that your injuries do in fact exist, your damages can be difficult to prove. Accordingly, always make sure that you visit a medical professional after your accident.

Step 3: Document What Happened

• Gather Evidence. Make sure you get all of the information you can about the drivers and vehicles involved, including license plate numbers, insurance information for the other driver, and the Florida crash portal number or traffic crash report number given by the responding officer.

• Document What Happened. Take as many photos as possible of the scene. This includes pictures of vehicle damage, the roadway, and injuries.

• Get Contact Information from Witnesses and the Reporting Officer. Try to get contact information for witnesses before they leave the scene. If there are no witnesses, make note of nearby businesses or homes whose occupants may have witnessed the incident. Make sure to get the name and badge number of the reporting officer as well, whether they be from the Florida Highway Patrol or the local Lakeland Police Department.

It is important to not apologize for the accident. Apologizing can be seen as accepting blame, even if you are not at fault. Make sure you only give out the necessary information, like your name and insurance information, to the other driver.

If you follow these steps, you and your Lakeland personal injury attorney can likely build a stronger case and potentially increase the value of your Florida car accident settlement.

Step 4: Contact a Lakeland Car Accident Lawyer

One of the best things you can do for yourself after your accident is to contact an auto wreck attorney. While this may not seem like something you need to be thinking about immediately, it can actually be extremely beneficial. In fact, the sooner you engage legal counsel, the better.

Florida has some complicated laws and requirements when it comes to car accident claims and insurance coverage procedures. Having a Lakeland auto accident injury attorney by your side from the start can alleviate a lot of stress and lift a lot of the burden from your shoulders.

An attorney can help you evaluate your case, show you how to get a Florida Highway Patrol accident report, negotiate with insurance companies, and help you prepare to take your case to trial if a settlement can’t be reached. Without an attorney, you may have to handle most or all of this on your own. So, don’t forget to contact a nearby car accident attorney in Lakeland as soon as possible afterward.

You may not always need to hire a Lakeland car accident lawyer for your case. In cases where there are no injuries or property damage, you may not need an attorney at all.

However, many cases are more complicated and may require the assistance of an attorney. If any of the following apply to your case, you should contact an attorney to discuss your case further:

• Someone died;
• Someone sustained significant injuries;
• You have missed work and/or suffered emotional trauma or pain and suffering due to your injuries;
• The other driver’s insurer denied your claims; or
• The parties dispute who was at fault.

If you’re not sure whether the facts of your case require the assistance of an attorney, feel free to contact us anyway. We offer free consultations, so we can discuss your case and see if legal representation is something you might benefit from.

Most cases will result in some form of out-of-court settlement. However, depending on the complexity of your case and the willingness of other parties to settle, it is possible your case will need to go to court.

If your case does go to court, don’t worry. Our experienced trial attorneys are well-equipped and well-prepared to aggressively litigate your case. Rest assured, we will settle your case only if that is what is in your best interest.

We have been fighting for injured victims for over three decades. During that time, we are proud to say that we have helped our clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in well-deserved compensation. We encourage you to read about some of our past case results and see what types of compensation we can help you fight to recover.

Recent Lakeland Car Accident Settlement Example

$750,000 / Motor Vehicle/Polk County

The client’s vehicle was rear-ended by the defendant which resulted in multiple injuries.

Other Car Accident Settlement Example

$1,578,077 / Motor Vehicle / Hillsborough County

Our client, a 29-year-old air conditioning service technician, was traveling eastbound and came to a stop for traffic stopped ahead. The defendant failed to stop, and the front of the defendant’s truck slammed into the rear of the van our client was driving. The defendant driver alleged that our client made a quick and sudden lane change and a quick and sudden unexpected stop causing the collision. The defendant driver did not receive a citation for causing the accident.

Our client was transported by ambulance and treated at an emergency room for neck pain, back pain, and hip pain. Our client was involved in an earlier motor vehicle accident where he suffered lower back pain a few months before this accident. He had recovered well, but still had some intermittent neck and lower back pain. After this accident, his doctors stated that he suffered an aggravation of previous lower back pain. MRI scans taken before and after the accident confirmed that our client indeed suffered from an aggravation of his prior lower back injuries. After all conservative treatment failed, our client’s surgeon felt that the client needed low back surgery to alleviate the pain. Our client underwent the surgery. Unfortunately, however, one of the screws placed in the lower spine moved after the surgery, and another surgery was required to revise the instrumentation in our client’s back. Our client also required surgeries to both of his hips to help alleviate his hip pain.

The defendant driver was insured under a $1,000,000.00 policy. After payment of our client’s property damage claim, approximately $983,000 of the policy limit was available to compensate our client for his injuries. A comprehensive demand package was then presented to the insurance company. The defendant’s insurance company offered only $80,000.00 to settle the claim. The insurer claimed that our client was at fault for making a quick and sudden lane change and further asserted that all our client’s lower back problems were caused by his previous accident. The offer was immediately rejected, and our firm filed a lawsuit against the defendant.

A very lengthy deposition of the driver was taken promptly after the suit was filed. At the deposition, we were able to convincingly prove that the defendant driver was totally at fault for causing the accident. The parties then attended a mediation settlement conference. At mediation, the defendant’s insurance company increased their offer to $350,000.00. We advised our client to reject that offer as it was insufficient to properly compensate him for his injuries, pain, and suffering. Several weeks later, the insurance company extended an offer of $550,000. Once again, we rejected the offer, and aggressively moved the case towards trial. After additional discovery, the insurance company agreed to our demand that they pay the policy limits, and the case settled for $983,077.05.

Our firm did not stop fighting for our client, and once we secured a policy limit settlement from the defendant, we then presented a claim to our client’s employer’s uninsured motorist insurer. We alleged that the settlement with the defendant was still insufficient to properly compensate him for his injuries, and that the uninsured motorist carrier should pay additional damages. We negotiated very hard with the insurance company, and in the end were able to convince them to pay our client an additional $595,000.00 for a total settlement of $1,578,077.05. Our client was extremely happy with the result and with our representation.

If you are ready to take the next steps on your case, contact an auto accident attorney near you in Lakeland, FL today. Reaching out to a Lakeland car accident lawyer can be one of the first steps on your road to recovery.

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we are dedicated to helping personal injury victims in need. We have made it our mission to get deserving Floridians the compensation they deserve, and we are ready to fight to do the same for you. Contact our Lakeland car accident attorneys today for a free consultation to see how we can help.

If you or someone you love has been in a car accident in Polk County contact a Polk County car accident lawyer today.

We have been representing Polk County injury victims for many decades. Here are some examples of actual clients that we’ve represented in Polk County who were injured in vehicle accidents.

To get your Lakeland Police Department accident report, you must fill out a notarized Sworn Statement form and turn it into the records department. Typically, the Lakeland Police Department allows you to request an accident report within 60 days of the crash.

There is a small fee to receive copies of your Lakeland Police Department accident report as well.

You can turn in the Sworn Statement in-person or by mail. Either mail or stop by the Records Section at:

Lakeland Police Department Records Section

When you request your Lakeland Police Department accident report, make sure you have the following information:

• Date of the accident;
• Name(s) of the driver(s);
• Location of the accident; and
• Signature of a Notary.

Having this information will ensure that there are few delays in obtaining a copy of your accident report.

Lakeland Police Department Accident Report Fees

There is a small fee to receive a copy of your Lakeland Police Department accident report. The cost for copies is:

• $0.15 per one-sided copy;
• $0.20 per double-sided copy; and
• $1.00 per certified copy.

Any accidents requiring extra research, audio, DVDs, color photographs, etc. will have additional fees.

According to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 400,000 automobile crashes in Florida during 2018. More than 11,000 of these crashes occurred in Polk County.

Half of the accidents in Polk County resulted in an injury or fatality. With 7,821 injuries and 127 fatalities, Polk County is one of the most dangerous areas in the state. In addition to the high amount of injuries, nearly a quarter of all accidents were hit-and-runs.

While a majority of these crashes happen between cars, a significant portion of collisions involve motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Almost 10% of all crashes in Polk County were in this category, as well as 28% of all fatalities.

After examining this data, the traffic dangers in Polk County are clear. If you ever suffer injuries in an accident in Polk County or Lakeland, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer in Lakeland, FL on your side.

Based on reviews and ratings, WalletHub reports the following are the top 3 car insurance companies in Lakeland, FL.

1. Direct Auto Insurance – Direct Auto is based in Nashville, TN specializes in high-risk drivers, and offers insurance in 14 states. They are rated 4/5 stars based on 1,900+ reviews in Lakeland.
2. Esurance – As a subsidiary of Allstate, Esurance specializes in policy bundling and easy online signup and management. They have a rating of 3.5/5 stars based on 1,600+ reviews.
3. State Farm – Founded in 1922, State Farm is the largest provider of auto and home insurance policies in the U.S. They have a rating of 3/5 stars based on 3600+ reviews.

No matter which insurance provider you choose in Lakeland, FL – if you find yourself in a car accident, consult a car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement or signing documents. Despite their reputation in the region, insurance companies are often known for offering initial settlements that are below what victims truly deserve. Let our team at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk fight for the fair compensation you deserve. We have extensive expertise in handling car accident cases and are here to help you navigate this challenging process. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation, and be sure to use our State Farm injury settlement calculator to help you estimate the non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in your injury case.

Most driving tickets or accidents are caused by people rushing to make an appointment or get home from work. This can lead to speeding, distracted driving, and other dangerous behaviors. Here are a few safety tips to help you avoid getting into a car accident in Lakeland, FL:

• Stay Informed About Traffic Conditions: Before hitting the road, check for any road closures or congestions. This proactive approach can prevent you from getting stranded in traffic and feeling compelled to rush. Utilize traffic apps or websites to stay updated. For information on road closures in Lakeland due to maintenance or construction, visit the official Lakeland city website.
• Patience Pays Off & Allot Extra Time for Your Trip: Embrace patience and allocate extra time for your journey, particularly during peak traffic hours or weekends. Rushing only heightens the risk of accidents.
• Minimize Distractions: Distraction ranks high among the causes of accidents and often leads to speeding. Keep your phone out of sight, refrain from eating or drinking behind the wheel, and concentrate solely on the road.
• Be Aware of Other Drivers: Remain vigilant of fellow drivers and utilize your turn signals diligently. Signaling well in advance of turning or changing lanes enables other drivers to anticipate your moves, reducing the likelihood of accidents.
• Drive Defensively: Stay alert to your surroundings and anticipate the actions of other motorists. Always be prepared to brake suddenly if the need arises.
• Obey Speed Limits: Excessive speed remains a primary factor in car accidents.

The highly-experienced Florida personal injury law firm of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk also provides:

• Car accident lawyers in Florida
• Guide to Florida Car Accident Law
• Motorcycle accident lawyers in Florida
• Slip & fall lawyers in Florida
• Truck accident lawyers in Florida
• Bicycle accident lawyers in Florida
• Brain injury lawyers in Florida
• Birth injury lawyers in Florida
• Pedestrian accident lawyers in Florida
• Florida Red Light Car Accident Settlement Lawyers
• Construction accident lawyers in Florida
• Wrongful death lawyers in Florida
• Actos injury lawyers in Florida
• Boating accident lawyers in Florida
• Business interruption insurance lawyers in Florida
• Defective drugs medical device lawyers in Florida
• Dog bite lawyers in Florida
• Drunk driving accident lawyers in Florida
• Insurance disputes lawyers in Florida
• Medical malpractice lawyers in Florida
• Metal hip knee implant lawyers in Florida
• Nursing home abuse lawyers in Florida
• Product liability lawyers in Florida
• Work injury / workers comp lawyers in Florida

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