Ocala Car Accident Lawyer
The lawyers at Meldon Law are a lot like our beloved Florida Gators. We’re constantly honing our skills and strategizing the best way to score for our clients. Whether it’s tackling complex legal problems, defending injured people’s rights, or combating foul play, we take our clients’ cases to the endzone.
An Ocala car accident lawyer from our firm can pursue compensation for your case through a negotiated settlement or jury verdict. While financial recovery can’t undo time and reverse your accident, it can account for your medical bills, lost income, and other injury-related losses. To consult with our seasoned advocates, dial (352) 373-8000.
The Car Accident Lawyers at Meldon Law Don’t Back Down
Since 1971, our personal injury lawyers have helped countless clients recover damages. With your case in our hands, we can:
- Review your case and evaluate your claim
- Investigate your accident to prove liability
- Communicate and negotiate with your insurer
- Gather evidence regarding your injuries and the total value of your losses
- Communicate and negotiate with your insurer
- Walk you through every step of the claims process
- Negotiate with the other party and try to reach a favorable settlement out of court
- Represent you at a jury trial if necessary
We strive to provide high-quality representation to each client who comes through our door. Our team will always be straightforward and honest about your legal options and the status of your case, and you can trust we will stand up for your rights.
Put Away Your Wallet––We Work on Contingency
We don’t ask a penny for our help until the conclusion of your case. Why? Because we work on a contingency-fee basis. In this arrangement, you don’t pay retainers or by-the-hour rates. Instead, a percentage of your settlement accounts for our help.
With this arrangement, regardless of your current financial standing, you can afford to hire a lawyer. You can learn more about this structure in writing at the outset of our partnership.
Don’t Worry About Deadlines; We Handle All Case-Related Matters
We cannot overemphasize the importance of considering prompt legal help. Why?
The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Florida is only two years from the date your injuries occurred. After this time, you cannot file a lawsuit; the court would deem you ineligible for litigation.
Our firm knows that two years is a short time, given the obligations needed to build a solid case. There’s nothing to worry about when discussing your case with us. Remember: we offer free consultations with no obligation.
Trust Your Ocala Car Accident Lawyer to Prove Liability
Proving liability in most car accident cases hinges on demonstrating the other party was negligent, which means they failed to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would have under the same circumstances. Illustrating negligence establishing the following four elements:
- Duty of care: Drivers who share the road with others have a duty of care to act with caution and in a manner that a reasonable person would act.
- Breach of duty: When a driver acts carelessly or recklessly, endangering others, they breach their duty of care.
- Causation: The other party caused the accident and your injuries. This means that the person’s injuries would not have occurred “but for” the responsible party’s failure to uphold their duty of care.
- Losses: You have losses from the collision, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Does this sound confusing? Don’t worry. Our lawyers fully understand the principles of negligence and what goes into building a bulletproof case.
Who Could Be Liable for My Collision in Ocala, FL?
Although most car accidents result from human error, there are other parties that may be partially or wholly responsible for your losses. In these cases, you could pursue compensation from the other party or multiple parties. These could include the following:
- Manufacturers: If a faulty car part led to your accident, you could pursue damages from the parts manufacturer. In these cases, it is usually unnecessary to show the company was negligent, as manufacturers are subject to a legal principle known as “strict liability.” This means, rather than proving negligence, you link the defective car part to your collision and losses.
- Government agencies: If poor road design or a dangerous road condition contributed to the accident, a government agency may have liability for the losses you incurred.
It is important to note that liability in a car accident can be complex, and the specific circumstances of your accident will determine who might be responsible. Your Ocala car accident lawyer can review the collision, consult with witnesses, and evaluate your losses to learn who is liable.
Meldon Law Stands Up to Auto Insurance Companies in Ocala
In Florida, drivers must carry insurance to cover the costs of their injuries in the event of a crash. Because Florida is a no-fault state, if you were in a car accident, you can file a claim with your insurance company seeking compensation for your losses.
However, insurance companies may attempt to limit their liability and may offer you a much lower amount. Moreover, your insurer may question the seriousness of your injuries and whether your medical bills were all reasonable and necessary.
The Ocala car accident attorneys at Meldon Law understand how confusing insurance negotiations can be. It is important that you never accept an offer without first having an attorney review whether it is sufficient to cover your current and future losses.
If an offer is inadequate, our attorneys will continue to negotiate with the insurer for an appropriate settlement based on your losses and the severity of your injuries. We can help you from the beginning of the claims process to avoid any unnecessary delays or denials whenever possible.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Claim?
Compensation in a car accident case could reflect each of your injury-related hardships, from the treatment you needed at the accident scene to the effects on your quality of life. Our lawyers fight for a settlement that encapsulates:
- The cost of past and future medical care, including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, doctor’s visits, and prescription medication
- Past and future lost earnings due to missed work
- Diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
Our lawyers can also assemble a case that pursues damages for your out-of-pocket expenses, which may include temporary transportation costs and childcare arrangements.
We Seek Damages for Grieving Families in Ocala
We can’t put our condolences into words if you lost a loved one to another party’s negligence. While we’re well aware that compensation can’t make up for the harm you suffered, it could go a long way in making certain matters easier.
Recoverable damages for a wrongful death may include:
- Funeral, burial, or cremation expenses
- The decedent’s outstanding medical bills
- Loss of the decedent’s wages and other income
- Loss of the decedent’s guidance and support
- Emotional anguish and grief
There may be more damages you can claim in a personal injury or wrongful death case. If so, we can add them to your claim and champion your rights.
Our Firm Gets These Questions From Car Accident Claimants Like You
It’s understandable to have questions surrounding your rights, legal options, and next steps. We want to offer all the answers you need to make well-informed decisions regarding your case. Some commonly asked inquiries include:
What if I Partially Caused the Accident?
As long as you didn’t cause most of the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your percentage of fault will deduct from any possible settlement. For instance, if your damages total $100,000, and you were 10 percent responsible for what occurred, you could recover $90,000.
The other party may unjustly accuse you of causing the accident to minimize their financial liability. To combat these practices, we will use evidence to demonstrate what really happened, such as the accident report, witness testimony, and traffic camera footage.
What Injuries Allow Me to Seek Damages?
We advocate for people in the aftermath of suffering:
- Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Crushed or broken limbs
- Amputations
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and whiplash
- Burns from chemicals, fires, or explosions
- Internal injuries and organ damage, such as a punctured lung
As noted, we also advocate for families who have lost loved ones to fatal injuries.
What Are the Leading Causes of Collisions in Ocala?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notes that in a recent calendar year, Marion County saw more than 7,000 traffic accidents––most of which resulted from human error. Examples include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Texting and other forms of distracted driving
- Tailgating, speeding, and other aggressive driving behaviors
- Violating traffic laws or traffic signals
If your collision resulted from poor roadway maintenance or a faulty auto part, you could have a case for compensation against a corporation or government agency.
Why Would the Insurance Company Deny My Claim?
If the insurance company denies your claim, it must offer a written reason why. That reason may include:
- A lack of coverage: If the policy or relevant coverage is not active at the time of the accident due to non-payment or other reasons, it will likely get denied.
- Failure to comply with mandated deadlines: Insurers can deny a claim if the accident isn’t reported within a specific time frame. Your Ocala car accident attorney can file all paperwork and claims within the expected time period.
- Excluded circumstances: Under certain circumstances, drivers may be barred from coverage, such as if they were drinking and driving or using their vehicle for illegal activities.
- Suspicion of fraud: If the insurer suspects a claimant has provided false information or has exaggerated the claim’s worth, it may use this as a justification to deny the claim.
- Pre-existing injuries: The insurer could deny your claim if it doesn’t believe your injuries are collision-related.
- Failure to seek medical treatment: Auto insurance often requires claimants to seek prompt medical treatment if they suffer injuries in an accident. If they delay or fail to seek treatment without a good reason, the insurer may deny the claim.
- Disputes over liability: Even with no-fault insurance, there may be circumstances in which liability is disputed. If the insurer believes that the claimant was mostly at fault for the accident, it may decline to offer damages.
If the insurer denies your claim, it’s not the end of the road for your case. You still have options when holding the at-fault party financially responsible––and one of those options includes entrusting your case to Meldon Law. We can go head-to-head with the insurer and fight for full and fair compensation.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s First Offer?
In many situations, we advise against taking the first insurance settlement. That’s because the offer may not account for your anticipated expenses and non-economic damages. Our team can evaluate all offers and explain whether they need your needs, both now and in the future.
Consult With an Experienced Ocala Car Accident Attorney Today
The Ocala car accident lawyers at Meldon Law use a personalized and committed approach to every case. We serve our clients with compassion and integrity––and perhaps, above all else, we understand how devastating car accident injuries can be. The last thing you need is added stress due to your financial losses or pursuing compensation on your own.
Contact us today if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident due to another’s negligence. Our car accident attorneys will handle every step of your claim, so that you can focus on your physical and emotional well-being. Start your free case review by dialing (352) 373-8000.
