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Florida Car Accidents Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Can I be compensated for car and house damage caused by another driver?

My parked car and house were damaged by another driver who was at fault and has insurance. A police report was filed, but I haven't contacted my own insurance company yet. Will I be able to be compensated for those damages?

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Yes, and the first step is to set up a claim with that driver's insurance company. You must obtain repair estimates for all damages, and if the limits of that driver's policy are not sufficient to cover your entire repair cost (both home and car), you can look to your own insurance... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Consumer Law and Insurance Defense for Florida on
Q: Received $1800 invoice for damage after rear-ending a rental car.

I was driving a rental car and rear-ended another driver who was also in a rental—specifically, a loaner from a dealership. The damage appeared minimal at the time, and we exchanged information. Recently, I received an invoice for $1800 from a body shop regarding the other driver's vehicle.... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 21, 2025

A Florida attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. I'm sorry about your accident. I hope all involved are okay. A starting point could be to review the terms of your rental and what it covers in terms of property damage. Based on the facts the post, it isn't... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Unauthorized driver totaled my car in accident; other driver at fault. What should I do?

I lent my car to my cousin while he was visiting for the weekend. His friend took my car without permission and was involved in a car accident, totaling the vehicle. The police are not aware of the unauthorized use, as my cousin did not report it. The other driver was at fault, but the unauthorized... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 19, 2025

I assume you have made total disclosure to your insurance company of the facts. If not, you need to do so immediately. I'm guessing from your description that the unauthorized individual is attempting to receive the PIP benefits under your policy for payment of medical bills and/or is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Florida on
Q: Am I at fault in a Florida car accident with improper lane change citation?

I recently got into a car accident while turning left into a plaza entryway in Florida. The entry has two lanes, one on the left and one on the right. As I was turning, another car from the right turning lane on the opposite side went straight despite there being no lane for that direction—only a... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 16, 2025

Your inquiry describes the other driver as being at fault, so you answered your own question. However, your inquiry is missing the reason that the police officer believed you were at fault. Accused you of changing lanes from where to where?, - while the other car was where in relation to your... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: How can I get compensation for bicycle accident injuries without the driver's insurance coverage?

I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle in Gainesville, Florida. I don't own a vehicle, so I don't have vehicle insurance. The driver who hit me doesn't have bodily injury coverage on his policy. I want to file a lawsuit to get compensation for my medical bills and ongoing... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Mar 6, 2025

Personal injury lawyers won't take your case because they work on contingency, and without insurance there's no guarantee they will be paid. Personal injury cases can be complicated and there's a lot of work that goes into them, so PI attorneys aren't going to take cases where... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: How can I get compensation for bicycle accident injuries without the driver's insurance coverage?

I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle in Gainesville, Florida. I don't own a vehicle, so I don't have vehicle insurance. The driver who hit me doesn't have bodily injury coverage on his policy. I want to file a lawsuit to get compensation for my medical bills and ongoing... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 6, 2025

Even if the driver who struck you had no bodily liability coverage, and you have no auto insurance, that driver's PIP (personal injury protection) should cover your medical bills, probably up to about $10,000. PIP gets paid directly to your medical providers. It's something that... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: How can I get compensation for bicycle accident injuries without the driver's insurance coverage?

I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle in Gainesville, Florida. I don't own a vehicle, so I don't have vehicle insurance. The driver who hit me doesn't have bodily injury coverage on his policy. I want to file a lawsuit to get compensation for my medical bills and ongoing... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 10, 2025

I'm sorry about your accident. The only thing I'd add to the valuable guidance of my colleagues is that you may still want to consider reaching out to other attorneys. From your post, it appears you spoke with one attorney who declined your matter. You mention major pain; you do not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Car Accidents and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: What to do if a settlement is not honored after an accident?

I was involved in an accident where someone hit me, and we decided to settle the matter without involving the police. We agreed that the other party would cover the cost of the repairs. There was no written agreement, but we communicated through text messages. They initially gave me $500, but after... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 1, 2025

A Florida attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for over a week. This is common in settings where people agree to handle matters over a handshake, often with the best of intentions. The usual options are small claims or civil court, where parties sometimes represent themselves,... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can I sue a company for leaving a trailer illegally parked, causing a car accident in Florida?

I was involved in an accident in Florida where a paving company left their dovetail trailer illegally parked in an active turning lane, detached from the truck. There were no signs or cones to warn drivers, leading to a collision that totaled my car and left me hospitalized with severe neck and... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Feb 26, 2025

Definitely, assuming the facts establish that party's fault. This type of claim generally starts with a presuit insurance claim (to the other party's insurer), and if not amicably resolved, then a lawsuit gets filed. Also, liability may lie with more than one entity. For example, if... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can I sue a company for leaving a trailer illegally parked, causing a car accident in Florida?

I was involved in an accident in Florida where a paving company left their dovetail trailer illegally parked in an active turning lane, detached from the truck. There were no signs or cones to warn drivers, leading to a collision that totaled my car and left me hospitalized with severe neck and... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Feb 26, 2025

You should retain a competent personal injury attorney here in Florida to represent you on contingency fee which means you pay nothing unless you win. If the police report has given the company a citation for a traffic ticket, your case would be much stronger. Hopefully you took some pictures to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Insurance Defense for Florida on
Q: Legal actions after son's fatal accident driving uninsured friend's car in FL.

My son tragically passed away in a traffic accident while driving a car that belonged to a friend's mother. The mother insured the car for her own son to drive, despite knowing he didn't have a driver's license. Her son let my son drive the car, even though my son also didn't... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Feb 20, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your son. Any time there is a death or serious bodily injury, you need to be represented by an attorney. Determining fault is key to your wrongful death claim. Your son could bear responsibility if he drove negligently. The friend might be liable for letting... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Insurance Defense for Florida on
Q: Legal actions after son's fatal accident driving uninsured friend's car in FL.

My son tragically passed away in a traffic accident while driving a car that belonged to a friend's mother. The mother insured the car for her own son to drive, despite knowing he didn't have a driver's license. Her son let my son drive the car, even though my son also didn't... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Feb 20, 2025

Well, I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your loved one and I extend my deepest condolences.

So from your facts, it’s ambiguous as to whether there was another car involved in this accident. The central question in this case is who caused the accident? If there was another vehicle...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: I hit a car and dented the bumper - I got ticketed for careless driving. No argument. driving maybe 10mph coming off a

ramp SB Florida turnpike. Stop and go rush hour traffic. No med services, both cars were drivable. The guy I hit was on his phone and walking around his car , clearly nothing wrong with him. or me. No my insurer tells me the guy is suing me for head neck and hip injuries. A scam for sure. My... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jan 30, 2025

If you had bodily liability coverage, your insurer provides legal representation at no charge to you. If you didn’t have that coverage and the insurer won't defend you, schedule a legal consultation. Certainly, the claim may be a scam as you say, and there are ways to tackle that, but it is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: I have gap insurance with my credit union but no full coverage due to financial hardship, what can I do?

Hello, so I've purchased a car with a loan from space coast credit union, I've had the car for a few years until I hydroplaned into a barrier a few days ago. The car is a total loss due to airbag deployment, no other parties were involved. I have GAP insurance but no full coverage due to... View More

Abraham Solomon Ovadia
Abraham Solomon Ovadia
answered on Jan 17, 2025

Hello, first, I hope you are OK and uninjured. There is no such thing as full coverage. This is completely made up although people do use this term. There are many different types of insurance coverage, such as PIP, bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: I left the scene of an accident due to my wife's medical health emergency. Now the FL police are calling for for me

Hollywood FL police are calling it took place in hallandale FL what do I do now

David Ashley Haenel
David Ashley Haenel pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 16, 2025

I would say NOTHING whatsoever to them and immediately hire an experienced criminal/traffic lawyer that can help you assemble documents to provide to the police officer. That may help the officer in determining that you had a legitimate reason for leaving the scene. Maybe the officer would... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: I left the scene of an accident due to my wife's medical health emergency. Now the FL police are calling for for me

Hollywood FL police are calling it took place in hallandale FL what do I do now

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jan 13, 2025

Leaving the scene of an accident due to an emergency is understandable, but you may have a situation that called for promptly initiating contact with the police as soon as feasible to explain the problem. Now that you failed to do so, you might be charged with a crime (and possibly arrested) with... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: Can they come after my house, wages, savings and social security for the difference? How about husband's assets?

The wife was involved in an auto accident and hit a bicyclist in Florida. Bicyclist was injured. I have $100,000 insurance, but the bicyclist medical bills are over $200,000. Bicyclist has an attorney. Can they come after my house, wages, savings and social security for the difference? Can they... View More

Robert Edward Heyman
Robert Edward Heyman
answered on Dec 2, 2024

I assume your insurance provider has contacted you and provided you with an attorney to deal with the plaintiff's lawyer. If not, contact your insurance company immediately. While the injured party's bills may technically be $200,000.00, often that is the "sticker" price rather... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can employer be liable for damages to a parked employee's car in the parking lot caused by their abuse shelter resident?

Daughter works for an abuse shelter. Her car was backed into and damaged while parked in company parking lot as she was working on the clock. An abuse shelter resident reported hitting the car. Shelter resident says they just recently got driver license back, but has no auto insurance. Suggested... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Nov 4, 2024

In that scenario, the company running the shelter would not be liable for the vehicle damage unless it was somehow foreseeable to the company staff that allowing the resident to drive in the parking lot would create a risk of damage - for example, if the resident had a bad traffic record that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Municipal Law for Florida on
Q: Is it legal in Florida to straight pipe a motorcycle?

In a previous accident, I was told by the driver that caused the accident that the reason she pulled out was because she couldn’t hear me and it looked like I was farther away. My new motorcycle is decently quiet for it size, so I wanna make sure that people hear me so that they can be aware of... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 4, 2024

Sorry to hear about your accident I'm not familiar with straight piping, but for guidance, see Fla. Statutes Section 316.293, which you can find online. Subsection (5) thereof states:

(5) NOISE ABATEMENT EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS.—

(a) No person shall modify the exhaust...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: I feel that my previous lawyer didn’t do a good job in my personal injury lawsuit. I didn’t like offer now they want out
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 25, 2024

A Florida attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. If your attorney wants out, and you haven't signed a release accepting terms, it's possible you could explore the possibility of another firm handling the case. A review of the file would be needed to... View More

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