Florida Car Accident FAQs
(Serving Lake Worth, Greenacres, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Springs, and all of Palm Beach County)
What should I do right after a car accident in Florida?
Move to safety and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Even in minor crashes around Lake Worth or Boynton Beach, you’re legally required to stop and exchange information. Take photos of damage, road conditions, weather, and any visible injuries. Get medical care within 14 days to protect your Florida PIP benefits.
Tip: Before giving any recorded statement to insurance, talk to a Palm Beach County car accident lawyer at Stillman Injury Law for free advice.
Next step: [Click Here to Request a Free Case Review →]
Do I need to call the police for a minor accident in Florida?
Yes, if there’s injury, death, a hit-and-run, or more than $500 in damage — which applies to most collisions in Wellington,
Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. Police reports are key evidence for your insurance and injury claim.
Next step: We can help you obtain your Florida crash report fast.
How do I document a car accident for insurance?
Take wide and close-up photos of all vehicles, debris, traffic lights, and skid marks. Record driver details and witness info.
Use your phone to capture the scene — then contact Phil Stillman your local accident attorney before speaking with insurers.
For more information click below!
Medical and Injuries
Should I see a doctor even if I feel fine after a car accident?
Absolutely. Many Palm Beach County crash victims don’t feel pain until hours or days later. Florida’s PIP law gives you only 14 days to seek care or lose benefits. Even if you feel fine, visit an urgent care, a primary care doctor or a chiropractic office in Lake Worth or Delray Beach today.
Next step: We can connect you with doctors who specialize in post-accident injuries and handle billing directly.
How long do I have to get medical treatment under Florida PIP?
Under Florida law, you must receive initial medical care within 14 days of the crash to qualify for PIP coverage. The Florida Statute allows for up to $10,000 worth of medical benefits or care. It also states that the injured person must be diagnosed with an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) to unlock the whole $10,000 worth of coverage. Otherwise you are only eligible for $2,500 worth of medical care, We’ll help you file correctly so you don’t lose your benefits.
What injuries show up days after a car accident?
Common delayed injuries: whiplash, concussion, herniated discs, or soft-tissue injuries. If symptoms like headache, dizziness, or back pain appear after your crash in Boca Raton or Wellington, seek treatment immediately and contact us for help with your claim.
Insurance and PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
How does Florida’s no-fault insurance work?
After a crash in Palm Beach County, your own PIP coverage pays for medical bills and lost wages up to your policy limit—no matter who caused the accident. If your injuries are serious, you can step outside no-fault and sue the at-fault driver.
What does PIP cover in Florida and what’s the limit?
Typically covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000. Non-emergency cases may be limited to $2,500. We’ll help you maximize coverage before you pay anything out of pocket. At settlement time, Mr. Stillman and staff will negotiate with the medical providers to reduce their outstanding balances to help you keep more of your settlement proceeds.
Will my insurance go up if I’m not at fault in Florida?
Usually not, but every insurer is different. The way you report the claim matters. We’ll help you handle it strategically to avoid unnecessary premium increases.
Fault, Claims, and Lawsuits
Is Florida still a no-fault state?
Yes, but you can still pursue the at-fault driver when injuries meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold — common in moderate-to-severe crashes across Palm Beach County.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
This is a very important topic and our firm is seeing more cases daily that need proof. For example, lets say you accelerated through a yellow light and get T-boned in the intersection. You say the light was yellow and the other driver claims it was green. This is where proof enters the equation. Did you know that traffic light cameras are NOT recording? So, you can't rely on those. Your best option is an independent witness. Someone who was there when it happened that was not in your vehicle. Immediately after an accident you should look around and ask bystanders if they saw what happened and will attest to it. There are many other ways to prove that you were the victim not the aggressor or the person who caused the accident. Other methods of gathering evidence include: accident scene photos and or videos, dashcam footage, police reports, video from video doorbells or surveillance video from homes or businesses at the scene and witness testimony. We’ll collect and preserve crucial evidence before it disappears.
Can I sue the at-fault driver in a no-fault state?
Yes — serious or permanent injuries allow you to seek pain and suffering and other damages beyond PIP. Sometimes there is no insurance for us to sue, but if the person who caused the accident has assets, then we can sue them or their business directly.
What is the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Florida?
In Florida you have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Don’t wait — contact your Palm Beach County car accident lawyer - Phil Stillman before time runs out.
What is Florida’s comparative negligence rule?
You can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault. If you’re more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover for injuries. That means that even 51% would make you ineligible for any recovery.
We’ll fight to minimize any fault assigned to you.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?
Yes. Even minor injuries can worsen over time. You may not have another chance to get your injuries taken care of. So, they should all be addresses immediately after an accident. Insurance adjusters often downplay claims — a free consultation ensures you protect all your rights. If you do not have an attorney on your side, adjusters will take advantage of you most of the time.
Reporting and Legal Requirements
How to get a Florida crash report
You can request it from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website or through local agencies like Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office within 10 days. As a courtesy to our clients we retrieve the accident reports as part of our due diligence in your case.
What happens if the other driver is uninsured in Florida?
Your UM/UIM coverage can pay your medical bills and losses. In Florida, statistics estimate that 20.6% of people are Uninsured, so there is a big chance that you may be hit by an uninsured driver. If you don’t know whether you have it, we can review your policy for free.
Hit-and-run laws in Florida — what should I do?
Stay at the scene and call 911. Gather any witness info and vehicle details. We know it's a stressful time, but try to get the tag of the vehicle that hit you or take a photo when it happens if possible. Many Palm Beach County hit-and-run victims qualify for UM coverage even if the driver is never caught. We act fast to locate surveillance footage and strengthen your case.
Damages and Compensation
What can I claim after a car accident in Florida?
You may recover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages. We’ll calculate full value and fight for every dollar you deserve.
How long do car accident settlements take in Florida?
It varies — some resolve in weeks; others take months and some may take years. The timeline depends on treatment and insurance complexity. We’ll give you a realistic timeline and keep you updated at every step of the way.
How is pain and suffering calculated?
Insurers look at injury severity and how it affects your daily life. Documentation and medical consistency are key. We’ll build a detailed claim that shows the full impact on your quality of life.
Special Situations
Uber/Lyft accident in Florida — whose insurance applies?
Coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the app or had a passenger. When the ride is active, Uber/Lyft’s $1 million policy applies. We’ll identify which coverage applies and handle your claim start to finish.
Company car accident in Florida — what happens?
If you were working at the time, both workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance may apply. We coordinate both claims so you don’t miss compensation.
Out-of-state driver accident in Florida — whose laws apply?
Crashes in Palm Beach County follow Florida’s no-fault and comparative negligence laws. We handle cross-state insurance issues and jurisdiction questions for out-of-state drivers injured locally.
Fees and Costs
How much do car accident lawyers charge in Florida?
We work on a contingency basis — no fee unless we win. Standard fees are a set percentage of your compensation, approved by the Florida Bar.
Next step: Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Do I pay legal fees if I don’t win?
No. You owe nothing for attorney’s fees if there’s no recovery. That’s our no win, no fee guarantee.
Who pays medical bills before settlement?
Your PIP or MedPay covers initial care, then health insurance. Remaining balances are paid from your settlement. We negotiate liens to maximize your net recovery.
Contact Our Florida Car Accident Specialists Today
If you've been in an auto accident and are considering filing a lawsuit, contact one of our personal injury attorneys at Stillman Injury Law today for a
FREE Consultation. We can answer your questions, put together a strong case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.