FAQs
2012 PIP Reform Bill – What Does “Emergency Medical Condition” Mean for Accident Victims?
This is an excellent and important question in regards to the recently passed 2012 personal injury protection (PIP) reform bill. This is what the bill says regarding “emergency medical conditions.” A patient must have a physician, osteopath, dentist, supervised physician’s assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner officially diagnose him with an “emergency medical condition”… Read More
Do I Have Full Coverage on My Car Insurance Policy?
As a Gainesville personal injury attorney, I know that this is a common statement from clients coming to my office for help after being injured in an auto accident. For 9 out of 10 of these accident victims, what they find out is that they had only purchased the required Florida State insurance that… Read More
Can I Get a Ticket for Jay-Walking Even if There Are No Cars Around?
As a personal injury attorney throughout the state of Florida, Jeffrey Meldon says, yes, you can get a ticket for jay-walking even if no cars are around no matter where you are in the state. Here is the info: A pedestrian can receive a ticket for violations of the above-mentioned laws in the amount… Read More
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against the Other Driver Even if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes. Florida has a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for your accident, you may still be eligible for compensation for your injuries. However, the percentage of your blame for the accident may be deducted from any settlement or verdict award you may receive. For example,… Read More
Could I Have a Claim for Punitive Damages Against My Insurance Company?
Yes, possibly. Florida law entitles an insured to punitive damages, if the insurance company engages in unfair claims settlement practices with such a frequency to indicate general business practices that are willful, wanton, and reckless to the right’s of the insured. (F.S. §627.736)(2010). In this situation, punitive damages are intended to punish the insurance… Read More
Do I Need an Attorney to Recover Compensation?
There is no legal requirement that TBI victims retain an attorney, and it is possible to represent yourself in negotiations with an insurance company or even in court. It is important to understand, however, that doing so will almost always put you at a disadvantage and may result in you recovering less than you… Read More
Does Florida Law Require Front Turn Signals on Motorcycles?
This may not be a commonly asked question, but it is an interesting one. Recently, a person inquired to our Office about whether it is legal in Florida to remove the front turn signals on his motorcycle, leaving just the rear turn signals. Here is the answer: No, Florida law does require motorcycles to… Read More
After an Accident, Should I Move My Car Off the Road or Leave It at the Crash Scene While Waiting for the Police?
This is a common question and one that many people are not sure about. Here is what you need to know about moving your vehicle after an accident in order to be safe and legal: First, if you are involved in a crash, regardless if you were at fault or not, you must immediately… Read More
Do I Have to Pump My Brakes to Keep From Skidding if I Have an ABS?
This is an excellent road safety question and one that many people are confused about. Most vehicles are equipped with Antilock Brake Systems (ABS), however, that wasn’t always the case. Many of us learned to drive without the assistance of ABS and therefore, we learned that in times of emergencies when you have to… Read More
My Insurance Company Says My Accident Case is a Mist Claim, What Does That Mean?
Excellent question if you want to understand or maximize the settlement value of your accident case. Here is the information. MIST stands for Minimal Impact Soft Tissue. Insurance companies use this term as a way to classify accident cases. Generally, for an auto accident claim to be classified as a MIST, the insurance adjuster… Read More