When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

By Osborne & Francis
July 18, 2024

Deciding whether or not to hire a car accident lawyer can seem daunting at first. If you have been injured in an auto accident but are unsure if you should hire a lawyer and file a formal claim against the other driver, the car accident lawyers of Osborne & Francis are here to answer any questions you may have.

Injured Floridians have depended on Osborne & Francis for nearly a decade to negotiate fair settlements for car accident claims.

We understand how important it is to secure appropriate compensation for costs like medical bills, lost wages, and even intangible losses like pain and suffering. At Osborne & Francis, we believe you shouldn’t have to do it alone. You can reach us at (561) 293-2600 or contact our Orlando or Boca Raton offices online to schedule a free consultation.

Were You Injured in a Florida Car Accident?

Even relatively minor injuries may warrant compensation in a Florida car accident lawsuit. For example, let’s say that you broke your arm in a T-bone auto accident on your way to work after another driver ran a red light. Not only was the break painful, but it also required you to take the day off from work to see a doctor, get X-rays, and have a cast put on. These are all types of damages that can potentially be compensated in a car accident lawsuit.

One important thing to note is that it is always a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional after a car accident, even if you think your injuries are relatively insignificant. This provides a record that your car accident attorney can reference to show that you attempted to mitigate your damages, so the insurance company can’t use that as leverage to diminish your claim. Additionally, certain types of injuries, especially internal injuries like concussions or other head injuries, can be easily overlooked in the immediate aftermath. If left untreated, they can become more serious or even life-threatening.

Have You Missed Work as a Result of Your Car Accident Injuries?

After sustaining a car accident injury, it is common for people to take a day or two to seek treatment and recuperate. However, missing a few days or weeks of work can have greater repercussions than simply losing a few days' wages. Maybe you missed out on the presentation that was supposed to get you a promotion, or the new training you needed to keep your license up to date. 

In the case of a more serious injury, you may need weeks off from work to recover, or need to take a leave of absence. That can potentially have permanent consequences for the trajectory of your career. The car accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis are aware of the impact that missing work can have on your finances and career, and we are dedicated to exploring all options for fair compensation.

Did the Car Accident and Your Injuries Change Your Quality of Life?

A car accident injury can radically alter the way you live your life. For example, after sustaining a traumatic brain injury you may have trouble with your speech or memory, and it could be permanent. Maybe you struggle to walk on your own or pick up your grandkids after a spinal cord injury. Even less severe injuries can leave you with chronic pain that can prevent you from enjoying your hobbies and caring for yourself without suffering. 

A loss of quality of life is categorized as a form of non-economic damage. This is another way to say that it does not have a set price tag, but our legal system recognizes that it still has value that is deserving of reimbursement. Non-economic damages are best evaluated by a personal injury lawyer. 

Did Your Injuries Result in Medical Debt or Other Damages? 

Medical expenses can accumulate quickly after a car accident. This may be compounded by a loss of wages as you take time to recover. Your injury may require long-term treatment or extensive testing to diagnose your injury. For example:

  • Medication
  • Surgery
  • Imaging 
  • Lab work
  • Physical therapy
  • Hospital stays
  • Mobility aids
  • Home modifications

If these bills exceed the amount allotted by your Florida Personal Injury Protection coverage, you could be held responsible for them. When someone else’s negligent behavior results in you getting injured, you should not have to pay for the care you receive. 

Are You Familiar with the Legal Process?

Half the battle in filing a car accident claim is being familiar with the legal system and the motivations of the other party.

As car accident attorneys, we deal with powerful insurance companies as part of our day-to-day life.

We are familiar with the tactics they use to reduce and dismiss legitimate claims in an effort to safeguard their bottom line. As any experienced car accident attorney will tell you, an insurance company is not on your side. They will doubtlessly have a team of lawyers ready to trim your claim wherever they can, so you should have someone on your side to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.

Do You Have Connections that Could Help You?

One of the services a personal injury lawyer can provide is their connections to reputable, knowledgeable experts. Oftentimes, an auto accident attorney will call on medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and other relevant experts to substantiate their points. When it is time to present your case for establishing fault, expert witnesses can be a critical part of proving liability or testifying to the value of damages. Having access to these experts via their relationship with your personal injury attorney can help ensure that your compensation is maximized. 

Why Should I Hire Osborne & Francis to Represent Me in a Car Accident Claim?

As discussed, car accidents often have financial repercussions for the injured party and their family, in addition to emotional costs. The car accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis have spent the better part of a decade establishing ourselves as one of Florida’s leading personal injury law firms. We have a track record of outstanding results to speak to our abilities.

Osborne & Francis clients know that when we take on their case, they can expect regular updates, clear answers to any questions they may have, and unparalleled effort from our team. You don’t have to worry about being pushed to settle for a lower amount than you deserve because we will aggressively pursue a fair settlement on your behalf.

Our team has trial experience, so if we cannot reach a compromise with the insurance company in negotiations, we are prepared to take them to court. You can depend on the car accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis to fight for your claim and represent your best interests.

Contact Osborne & Francis to Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney to Handle Your Case

The car accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis understand that some people may be hesitant to involve a car accident lawyer when negotiating with the insurance company. Oftentimes, they are concerned about the expense or the appearance of hiring a car accident lawyer to represent them. Others think that it is unnecessary to engage an auto accident attorney just to recover the cost of a few medical bills.

We want to reassure you that hiring our team of skilled attorneys at Osborne & Francis comes at no upfront cost to you. You won’t be charged for anything unless we successfully settle your claim. Our team can provide you with expert legal advice, extensive resources, and support as you file a car accident claim for damages. We aren’t afraid of going to trial to fight for the full value of your medical bills, lost wages, and costs like loss of quality of life.

If you have been injured in a Florida car accident, the smart choice is to hire an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. The auto accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis are ready to begin the work of securing you a fair settlement while you focus on healing. We can be reached at (561) 293-2600 or contact our Orlando or Boca Raton offices online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident claim in greater detail.

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T. Andrews

“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

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C. Smith

“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

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J. Davis

“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

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E. Holland

Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

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Alfred

Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

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Erica F.

"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

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Hiring a lawyer is the first step towards recovering a better quality of life. At Osborne & Francis, we devote our undivided attention to each client, and all communications are held in the strictest privacy. Contact us by filling out the form or calling us directly at (561) 621-1385.

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