YOU HURT? WE FIGHT! It's more than just our motto; it's our mission.

Serving Accident & Injury Victims for Over 20 Years

"Whether it's a whiplash, serious injury or wrongful death case, we pride ourselves on representing you with the personal service and aggressive representation that you expect and deserve!" -Attorney Ron Sholes​

Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney

Car Accidents in Duval County

If you were injured in a car accident in Duval County, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Navigating the claims filing process can be difficult, however, especially when you are already dealing with getting proper medical care and taking time off work to heal.

At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we have over 100 years of combined experience representing injured individuals and the families of those wrongfully killed. We understand what you are going through, as well as the challenges that lay ahead. Our Jacksonville car accident lawyers are prepared to negotiate with the insurance company and, if necessary, take your case to trial in their effort to secure the maximum compensation you are owed.

Is It Worth Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an experienced attorney for your car accident claim can help you secure the best outcome for your case. The first way an attorney can help you is navigating the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law which limits how long injury victims have to file a claim before they lose their legal right to do so. According to the Florida Statutes section 95.11(3)(a) the state of Florida has a four-year timeline. This means you have four years from the date your accident occurred to file your car accident claim. It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to this law so it’s important to speak to an attorney about the specifics of your case as soon as possible.

Beyond the statute of limitations, which applies to all personal injury claims, a Jacksonville car accident lawyer can navigate you through your whole claims process using our knowledge and experience in negligence laws. Additionally, our team can investigate your accident to gather proof of negligence and represent you in court if necessary. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations so you have nothing to lose, contacting our firm today.

Get in touch with our Jacksonville office today for a free consultation. Call (855) 933-3881 or contact us online to get started.

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What to Do After a Car Accident in Jacksonville

No matter the details of your car accident, you can practically be guaranteed one thing: the defendant won’t want to accept liability for it, especially if you were seriously injured. You can expect them to counter your arguments at every step and try to make it seem like you did something wrong. While our Jacksonville car accident lawyers know many strategies to form powerful counterarguments, it is always best if we can build those arguments on solid, tangible evidence. In car accident cases, the best evidence is often found at the scene immediately after the crash.

Let us know if you were able to take these four steps after the car accident:

  • Call 911: Getting first responders to the scene immediately can help save lives and control traffic so other drivers don’t crash into the wreckage. The accident reports from first responders can be crucial to building your claim, too.
  • Exchange information: Even if no one seems to be seriously injured after a crash, you need to exchange contact and insurance information with the other involved parties.
  • Take photographs: Photographs and video footage are difficult to refute. Taking as many pictures as possible of the crash scene, injuries, vehicle damage, traffic and weather conditions, and more will help your lawyer prepare a convincing case once it is time to file a claim.
  • See a doctor: You should see a medical doctor soon after being in a car accident, assuming that you aren’t taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The doctor can check for underlying injuries and diagnose your condition. Importantly, the doctor will also add a note in your medical record that says when and why the injuries occurred.

Dangerous Intersections in Jacksonville, FL

Distracted, drunk, and reckless drivers can make any stretch of road extremely dangerous for themselves and the people around them. However, there are always certain intersections and streets in any city or county that tend to see more car accidents than others. Oftentimes, the increased rate of traffic collisions coincides directly with an above-average number of motorists who use that street or intersection each day. It shows that as the number of drivers increases, the risk of a traffic collision increases at an equal or greater rate.

Our team of attorneys and legal professionals from The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. proudly support the Jacksonville community. We want to see all of our neighbors and community members stay safe each day and night, so we’ve compiled a quick list of the most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville. If you’re planning a trip, short or long, see if you can avoid these intersections. At the least, act more cautiously when driving through them.

Based on crash data from local departments, five of the most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville are:

  • Baymeadows Road/Southside Boulevard intersection
  • Beach Boulevard/Southside Boulevard intersection
  • Beach Boulevard/Hodges Boulevard intersection
  • Blanding Boulevard/Youngerman Circle intersection
  • Blanding Boulevard/Wells Road intersection

How to File a Car Accident Claim in Jacksonville

Florida is what is known as a “no-fault state.” This means that it operates under a no-fault system in which those injured in motor vehicle accidents must typically turn to their own insurance providers—rather than the insurance providers of the at-fault drivers—for compensation. Under this system, you are required to carry personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance. PIP coverage is available regardless of fault, meaning you can still be compensated for your damages even if you were partly, mostly, or completely at fault for the accident.

While PIP insurance makes it easier for you to be compensated after an accident, it does come with several notable limitations. In Florida, PIP insurance only covers part of your medical expenses and lost wages, not all of them. Additionally, it does not cover non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, whatsoever.

The only way to be fully compensated for both your economic and non-economic damages after a car accident in Florida is to go outside the no-fault system. To do this, you will have to prove that you suffered a “serious injury,” as defined by state law. You can also go outside the no-fault system by proving that your damages amount to more than $10,000, which is the highest amount an individual can recover through PIP insurance in the state.

Car Accident Damages You Can Recover

If you are seriously injured in a car accident, then the coverage from your PIP insurance policy might not be enough to cover all of your losses. It might not even get close when considering how you have been mentally and emotionally affected by the aftermath of the accident. At that point, it makes sense to consider what else you could be owed if you were to file a claim against the other driver.

Our Jacksonville car accident lawyers have years of collective experience working on complex car accident cases that involve life-changing injuries. You can trust us to calculate your losses and demand every last cent from the defendant and their auto insurance provider. We aren’t afraid of the courtroom, either. If we must go to trial to win for you, then we’ll be ready.

Damages that can be recovered in a car accident claim could include:

  • Past and future medical treatment costs
  • Lost wages and future income
  • Non-economic damages like pain and suffering
  • Death benefits if you lost a loved one

Proving Your Injuries Are “Serious”

At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we believe that you deserve to be compensated for all of your damages, including your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings, pain and suffering, inconvenience, and lost quality of life. Our Jacksonville car accident lawyers can help you prove that your injuries meet the state’s criteria for “serious injuries” and help you step outside the no-fault system to recover full compensation.

For an injury to be considered “serious” in Florida, it must meet one of the following requirements:

  • The injury involves permanent, significant scarring and/or disfigurement
  • The injury results in permanent, significant loss of an “important” function
  • The injury causes significant impairment of a body part or function
  • The injury is permanent (or reasonably likely to be, as confirmed by a medical professional)

Examples of serious injuries include severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries, all of which can have significant, lasting effects.

Filing a Standard Injury Claim

If you wish to go outside the no-fault system, and you have grounds to do so, you may bring a standard personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Under Florida’s pure comparative negligence rule, you will need to prove that the other driver (or another third party) was at least partly at fault for the accident that caused your injuries.

This might involve proving that the other party:

  • Violated traffic laws/rules of the road
  • Was distracted or drunk while driving
  • Failed to yield the right of way
  • Made an unsafe or unlawful turn
  • Was speeding
  • Engaged in reckless or aggressive driving behaviors
  • Passed unsafely or unlawfully
  • Failed to stop at a red light or stop sign
  • Merged into your vehicle

Our Jacksonville car accident attorneys work with a team of 6 expert investigators and more than 100 support staff members who help reconstruct the accident and determine how it occurred. This allows us to see who was at fault and helps us prove liability for your damages. From there, we aggressively negotiate with the appropriate insurance company for a fair settlement on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to settle, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.

Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve

At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we demand and fight for the full compensation our clients deserve. Because every case is different, we employ a personalized approach and look for innovative legal strategies tailored to our clients’ unique needs, concerns, and goals. When you choose our firm to represent you, you receive a high level of attention and care from a dedicated team of legal professionals.

We are truly your neighborhood attorney, committed to helping you get back on your feet and to making our communities better, safer places for all. We provide legal services in Spanish, Russian, and German, and we do not collect any fees unless we win your case.

Get started with a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney today when you call (855) 933-3881.

Jacksonville Car Accident FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Hiring a Jacksonville car accident attorney from The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. is always highly affordable thanks to our contingency fee agreements. When working for a contingency fee, we don’t get paid any attorney fees unless the case resolves in your favor, such as with a positive settlement or verdict. The contingency fee will be based on a percentage of the winnings, too, so you never have to pay more than you can afford. This system minimizes your financial risk while still letting you hire a talented legal team.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim?

Florida uses a four-year statute of limitations on most car accident claims. The statute begins on the date of the accident in most cases. Once it expires, you essentially can’t file a claim with the court afterward. Please keep in mind that a car accident claim and an insurance claim are not the same. Car insurance claims generally have very brief filing deadlines, sometimes as short as just 30 days after the accident.

What Should I Do if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If you are hit by a driver without car insurance, you still need to get their contact information and report the accident to your auto insurance provider. The personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy that you purchased from the insurer should cover your losses, up to a cap. For additional damages, you might be able to use an optional uninsured motorist (UM) insurance policy. In uncommon situations, it is possible to file directly against the driver if they don’t have any insurance.

Can I Still File a Claim if I Was a Passenger in a Car Accident?

Passengers can file an injury claim just like a driver can after being involved in a car accident. One unique wrinkle to passenger injury claims is that the passenger might file against their driver, rather than a stranger who was in a different vehicle. It all depends on how and why the car accident happened.

Can I File a Car Accident Claim if I Wasn’t Seriously Injured?

Typically, you can’t file an injury claim after a car accident unless you are considered “seriously injured” under Florida law. This limitation is in place due to the state’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance requirements. After a car accident, drivers must use their own PIP insurance policies first, which will provide certain coverages, up to a cap and regardless of liability.

Why Hire Us

  • No Fees Unless We Win

    We work on a contingent basis, which means you do not pay a dime unless we make a recovery.

  • Maximizing Your Recovery

    Navigating a personal injury claim is like a chess match. It's about determination, commitment, and a will to win! We don’t just talk about maximizing claims and delivering results, we do it!

  • Personal Service

    We have a team of client care specialists and an owner that demands every client be treated like family. This means frequent contact and updates by the legal team to help put your mind at ease.

  • Legal Advice & Counsel

    We understand the importance of providing you sound legal advice and counsel throughout the claims process. Our attorneys and support staff communicate with you about your health and your claim throughout the process.

  • Experienced Legal Team

    Our team includes over 20 attorneys with over 200 years of combined experience, numerous investigators and medical staff, and more than 100 professional support staff.

  • Convenient Locations

    We’re your neighborhood law firm, not a downtown law firm. With fully staffed offices in several Northeast Florida counties and Jacksonville offices in Arlington, Northside, Westside, and Southside, we’re here for you!

Free Case Review

Take the First Step in Your Recovery

Call The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. at 855-WE-FIGHT or fill out and submit our online contact form to request a free initial consultation today. We look forward to hearing your story and sharing how we can help you get back on your feet.

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