Being injured in a car accident can turn your life upside down. You’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and potentially long-lasting effects on your health and well-being. It’s an overwhelming situation that leaves many people unsure of what to do next.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash in Melbourne or anywhere in Brevard County, don’t go through this difficult experience alone. A Melbourne personal injury lawyer can handle your claim and fight to ensure you collect the maximum compensation possible.
The experienced Melbourne car accident lawyers at the Schiller Kessler Group have been advocating for the rights of injured victims for over 30 years. We know the ins and outs of Florida’s injury laws and what it takes to secure maximum compensation. We can help you today.
Why You Need a Melbourne Car Accident Lawyer
While you may be tempted to try to handle your car accident claim on your own, having an experienced attorney on your side is invaluable. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with – their top priority is minimizing payouts, not your best interests.
Our attorneys can help level the playing field. We know all the tactics insurers use to devalue and deny claims, and we proactively build a strong case using evidence and over 3 decades of experience.
With us advocating for you, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while we handle all the complex legal processes.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Types Of Car Accidents We Handle
Our Melbourne car accident lawyers can assist you regardless of the type of crash you were involved in, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Side-impact or T-bone collisions
- Rollover accidents
We handle accidents caused by commercial drivers, drunk drivers, distracted drivers, and fatigued drivers. Our team investigates thoroughly to prove liability and ensure you receive funds to cover all accident-related expenses like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Our Melbourne Car Accident Attorneys Help With Your Claim
Our car accident lawyers in Melbourne can provide invaluable assistance throughout the entire claims process:
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Your lawyer will launch a thorough investigation into your accident to establish liability and preserve key evidence, including:
- Obtaining police/accident reports
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reviewing footage from traffic cameras or surveillance video
- Analyzing physical evidence from the scene
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts
- Requesting maintenance/driver records from involved parties
This evidence is crucial for proving the other driver was at fault and the extent of your damages.
Handling Communication and Negotiating With Insurers
Your attorney takes over all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies involved. This includes:
- Dealing with the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability insurer
- Handling your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim
- Evaluating settlement offers and countering lowball amounts
- Substantiating your damages with evidence and expert testimony
- Pushing back against bad faith tactics aimed at minimizing payouts
Having an experienced lawyer advise and speak for you prevents costly mistakes and protects you from unfair insurance practices.
Determining the Full Range of Damages
Car accident attorneys understand the complete scope of damages you may be owed, including both economic and non-economic losses. We calculate and fight for damages such as:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for spouses
We work with medical, vocational, and economic experts to accurately value your damages.
Settlement Negotiation or Litigation
Our attorneys have extensive experience negotiating for the maximum possible settlement that provides fair compensation. If negotiations stall, we prepare to take your case to court by:
- Formally filing a lawsuit and handling the litigation process
- Conducting depositions and discovery
- Retaining expert witnesses to testify
- Forcefully representing you at trial to pursue a verdict
Having an attorney maximizes your leverage and sends a message you won’t be denied your rightful compensation.
No Upfront Costs – Contingency Fee Arrangement
Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or expenses. Our fees are paid as a percentage of your final settlement or court award amount when your case resolves successfully.
This allows you to have experienced legal representation from day one without worrying about affordability. The financial risk is transferred to your lawyer, who only gets paid by recovering compensation for you.
From dealing with insurance bad faith to aggressively negotiating top settlement amounts, having an experienced auto accident attorney advocating for you every step of the way vastly improves your chances of a successful outcome.
Don’t try to take on the complicated legal process alone after a crash in Florida. The right lawyer can make all the difference in maximizing your recovery and allowing you to focus on healing.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
The time frame to resolve a Melbourne car accident claim can vary. Often, the time depends on how you choose to pursue compensation and your potential degree of liability for the wreck. Claims with clear-cut liability generally resolve more quickly.
You may wait several months to secure compensation if you settle with insurance agents. Going to court can increase the time for your claim and may leave you with court fees. You can discuss the specific timeline for your case with your car accident lawyer in Melbourne, FL.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Florida?
You must move forward with your claim for compensation before the statute of limitations for personal injury claims expires in Florida. The state recently changed the deadline for its statute of limitations, giving most people two years to seek damages.
Your Melbourne car accident attorney can help track this time limit for you, helping you determine how long you have to file a claim.
How Does PIP Insurance Work in Florida?
In Florida’s no-fault insurance system, understanding Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and when you can step outside of no-fault is crucial after a car accident.
PIP is required as part of every Florida driver’s car insurance policy. After an accident, regardless of who was at fault, PIP provides 80% of medical expenses up to $10,000 if the driver is carrying the minimum insurance policy allowable in the state.
These limited no-fault benefits are often insufficient for moderate to severe injuries. Additionally, PIP will not compensate you for non-economic damages like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
When Can You Step Outside No-Fault?
The ability to pursue a personal injury claim and recover fuller compensation from the at-fault party depends on the severity of your injuries under Florida’s “tort threshold.”
You may be able to step outside the restrictions of Florida’s no-fault system and file a liability claim if your injuries :
- Cause permanent loss of a bodily function
- Are permanent
- Cause permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Result in death
Florida Statute 627.737 is Florida’s no-fault serious injury threshold. You meet the threshold if you have any of the above apply to your situation.
Our skilled Melbourne car accident lawyers can evaluate whether your injuries may meet the threshold to file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability insurance.
Reasons to File a Personal Injury Claim
By stepping outside of no-fault and tapping into bodily injury liability coverage, you gain access to significantly higher insurance policy limits and compensation amounts.
If your injuries are severe enough, filing a personal injury claim allows you to recover damages that PIP does not cover, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Excess medical bills over PIP limits
- Future lost earnings/earning capacity
- Loss of companionship/consortium
It also opens up the possibility of recovering punitive damages if the other driver’s actions were grossly negligent or intentional.
While negotiating a settlement is preferable to avoid the expense of litigation and lengthy delays, our car accident attorneys in Melbourne are fully prepared to take your case to trial if the insurer does not offer fair compensation.
Let our legal team evaluate your injuries and handle all aspects of your claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating the best possible settlement. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case review – there are no upfront costs until we recover on your behalf.
Why Choose Schiller Kessler Group?
For over 30 years, the Schiller Kessler Group has been a trusted name in personal injury law across Florida. Our attorneys have an unparalleled understanding of car accident cases and state injury laws. We leverage this experience to deliver exceptional results for our clients consistently.
Unwavering Commitment to Your Case
The Schiller Kessler Group’s car accident attorneys in Melbourne have the experience, resources, and determination to be effective advocates in your pursuit of justice. We believe in upholding the highest standards of integrity as we fight tirelessly on your behalf.
From handling settlement negotiations to representing you skillfully at trial if needed, our team explores every possible avenue to maximize your recovery.
We work on a contingency basis, so you pay no upfront costs – our fees are paid from a percentage of your settlement or award.
Contact a Melbourne Car Accident Law Firm for a Free Case Evaluation Today
Don’t attempt to navigate the complicated legal process alone after being injured by someone else’s negligence. Contact the Schiller Kessler Group today for a free, fully confidential case evaluation.
We know how overwhelming this time can feel. Let our team guide you through the process, handling the legal complexities so you can focus on recovering and moving forward with your life. Our case results speak for themselves. Our Melbourne car accident attorneys are ready to be the aggressive advocate you need.
Injured? Call The Aggressive Attorneys Today
