Experienced Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney Fighting For You

Being in a car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. The aftermath often brings more than just a damaged vehicle. You’re probably facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills and lost income from being unable to work. It’s a stressful time, leaving you to wonder how you’ll manage your financial burdens and physical recovery. This is precisely when you need an advocate on your side – someone who understands your situation and is prepared to fight for your future.

At Patrick McLain Law, we believe you shouldn’t have to carry that burden alone. Our Fort Myers car accident attorney team brings over a combined 20 years of experience to every case. We provide the strong, big-firm experience needed to take on major insurance companies and secure a fair settlement, while still offering the personal attention and care of a small, local firm. As your legal “one-stop shop,” we can guide you through the entire personal injury claim process, helping you seek compensation for all your losses so you can focus on healing.

What To Do After A Car Accident In Florida

The moments after a crash are critical. The actions you take can significantly impact your future personal injury claim. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Stop and stay at the scene: Florida law requires drivers to stop after an accident. Leaving could result in criminal charges.
2. Ensure safety: Turn on your hazard lights. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location out of the flow of traffic.
3. Check for injuries: Assess yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you feel fine, some injuries, such as whiplash injury or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), may not be immediately apparent. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.
4. Contact law enforcement: Call the police to the scene, especially if there are injuries or significant property damage. A police report is a crucial piece of evidence gathering for your case.
5. Exchange information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details and license plate number. Do not admit fault, even if you think you were to blame.
6. Document everything: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions and relevant traffic signs.
7. Seek medical attention: See a doctor or visit an emergency room as soon as possible, even for minor injuries. Florida’s no-fault law has a strict 14-day deadline to seek medical treatment. This is necessary to be eligible for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.
8. Don’t talk to insurance companies alone: The other driver’s insurance adjuster may contact you with a settlement offer. Do not accept it or give a recorded statement without first speaking with a Fort Myers car crash attorney. They will use your words against you to deny or devalue your claim.

Following these steps will help you create a strong foundation for your claim and protect your right to compensation.

Understanding Florida’s Comparative Negligence Law

Florida’s modified comparative negligence law directly impacts the amount of compensation you can recover. If you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, your total damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 but finds you were 20% at fault, your award would be reduced to $80,000. Crucially, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages at all. This is why it is critical to have an attorney who can effectively prove the other driver’s negligence and liability.

How An Attorney Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim

The period after a car accident is demanding and uncertain. Having a knowledgeable car accident attorney by your side can make all the difference. Our lawyers at Patrick McLain Law can assist with every aspect of your case, from your initial free consultation through to settlement negotiation or trial.

Protecting Your Rights

We handle all communications with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. We prevent them from using sneaky tactics to undervalue your case.

Investigating Comprehensively

We conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence. This includes the police report, medical records, witness statements and accident reconstruction data.

Calculating Your Damages

Many clients ask, “How much is my car accident case worth?” The value of your claim depends on many factors. We work diligently to calculate the full extent of your damages, which are categorized into three types:

• Economic damages: These are the financial losses you can easily calculate and prove with documentation. They include medical bills (past and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage and out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
• Noneconomic damages: These are subjective, nonmonetary losses that are more difficult to quantify. They include compensation for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive damages: These are not meant to compensate you. Instead, they are meant to punish the at-fault driver for especially atrocious behavior and to deter others from acting similarly. Florida law allows us to seek these damages in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, such as a drunk driving accident or extreme recklessness.

We meticulously determine all losses to ensure you receive a fair and just settlement.

Maximizing Your Recovery

We fight for full compensation for all your losses. This includes property damage and the diminished value of your vehicle. In tragic cases, we can also help families file a wrongful death claim.

Your Local Legal Partner

We are proud to serve the Fort Myers and Southwest Florida community. Patrick McLain Law is not a distant, anonymous firm. We are your neighbors. Our lawyers’ commitment is to represent every client with the same ferocity as a family member. Our ability to manage a wide range of legal matters, from personal injury to civil litigation, means you don’t need to seek out a new car accident lawyer for related issues. As a former construction company executive, Patrick McLain brings a unique perspective to cases involving complex liability and property damage.

Get The Help You Need Today

Don’t let the legal process overwhelm you. Contact us today to receive the fierce representation and caring support you need. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call our Fort Myers office at 239-737-3735 or send us an email to schedule an appointment.