Auto Accident FAQ

How is fault determined in an auto accident?

In general, the driver responsible for the accident is considered at-fault. The police report plays a key role in determining what happened. The police report gathers the versions of what transpired from each party, any witness recollections, assesses the damage and then uses the information gathered to make a determination as to who is at fault. State your version of the events as they occurred and let the police officer determine fault based on the evidence at the scene as the officer sees them.

Before police arrive, you would be well advised to gather whatever evidence of the accident you can. Such evidence includes photographs of the damaged areas on each vehicle, information from the other party/parties involved, and witness accounts of what happened. Provide the police with this information when they arrive. It would also be wise not to admit fault for the accident, even if you feel you are at fault. There may be factors you aren’t aware of which authorities and insurers can use to determine fault.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, contact an experienced attorney at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation. You will pay nothing for our professional help until we recover compensation on your behalf.

How is pain and suffering calculated in an auto accident?

After your accident, the insurance companies will calculate your pain and suffering in order to figure out how much you are to be compensated.  There are several factors used to determine pain and suffering, some examples include:

• Severity of injury
• Type of medical treatment
• Length of recovery
• Long term impairment

In order to receive compensation from insurance companies, you will be expected to prove the extent of your pain and suffering does, in fact, entitle you to collect damages. You would be well advised to provide the following documentation to the insurance company as soon as you can after your injury:

• The medical records and bills
• The injured party’s recollection of the events
• Mental health provider’s opinions
• Written opinions or research from experts

Cases may vary dependent upon the circumstances listed above. There is no set percentage of what factors weighs more than others. Insurance companies tend to be difficult to negotiate with on your own; therefore, you will benefit from having a lawyer on your side. If you were involved in an automobile accident, contact an experienced attorney at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation. You will pay nothing for our professional help until we recover compensation benefits on your behalf.

How long does a settlement take for auto accident?

The facts surrounding the automobile accident and the extent of the injury will affect the length of time the case lasts until settlement.  The length of time varies on a case by case basis dependent on factors such as the extent of your injuries and amount of medical treatment needed.

Aside from establishing liability, generally, automobile accident cases vary in the time it takes for them to be fully resolved.  Factors affecting how long it take to reach a settlement include the amount of time it takes for you to fully recover, what your medical prognosis is, and the cost for future care.

Cases that are filed for suit generally take longer than cases that are able to be resolved pre-suit.  As a general matter, cases that are able to be resolved pre-suit can take approximately twelve months, whereas cases that are filed for suit may take approximately eighteen months. Again, these timelines may vary dependent on the circumstances of each case.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, contact an experienced attorney at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation. You will not pay anything for our professional help until we recover compensation on your behalf.

What can you sue for in an auto accident?

In an automobile accident, you are suing for damages. These damages come in the form of economic damages. If you can prove the negligence of the at-fault driver caused your injury, economic damages can cover current and future medical costs along with loss of wages.

When suing for economic damages, you are limited to these Bodily Injury Insurance limits. If your injuries are in excess of these limits or if the at-fault owner or driver does not have Bodily Injury Insurance, your own policy may have what is called an “Underinsured Motorist or Uninsured Motorist Policy.” Underinsured Motorist or Uninsured Motorist Policies are insurance policies that provide you economic damages for the injuries you suffer as a result of an underinsured or uninsured at-fault driver.

If you were injured in an automobile accident, you can be entitled to economic damages. These injuries can have a lasting impact both physically and financially; therefore, you shouldn’t hesitate to take legal action if the at-fault driver was negligent. If you have been involved in an automobile accident, contact an experienced attorney at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation. You will pay nothing for our professional help until we recover compensation on your behalf.

What to do after an auto accident determined not at fault?

An auto accident can be very stressful and injuries can be immediate or occur shortly thereafter.  The following is a quick guide of what to do after an accident where you are not at fault:

• Call 911 and ask for help. The 911 operator will most likely contact the police and send medical help as well.
• If feasible, move the automobiles involved in the accident from of the lanes of travel and away from oncoming traffic so there are no subsequent accidents.
• Stay at the scene until the officers advise you otherwise.
• Provide the information requested by the police. Ask for a copy of the police report and note the officer’s badge number and name.
• ALWAYS collect the information below from the other parties involved in the automobile accident:
  • Names, addresses and telephone numbers
  • Insurance company name and policy numbers
  • The involved person’s driver’s license numbers
  • All pertinent information from eyewitnesses who were at the scene during the accident
• Take videos or pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident. Documenting the damage to the automobiles can assist at a later time to show how the accident occurred.
• Seek medical attention immediately; seek a hospital, urgent care or your primary care doctor to evaluate your injuries as you may have injuries that you do not even know you have suffered.
• While insurance companies may contact you to ask for a recorded statement or wanting you to fill out paperwork, DO NOT REPLY OR SIGN ANYTHING, until AFTER speaking with a Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorney to know your options. A lawyer can help you navigate your way through dealing with the insurance companies.

Timing is important and essential, so make sure to take quick action and know your rights by getting help immediately.

What to do after an auto accident?

An auto accident can be very traumatic and injuries can be sudden or come on shortly after.  The following is a quick guideline of steps to take after an automobile accident.

• If anyone was injured, call 911 and ask for medical help. The 911 operator will contact the police and send paramedics as well.
• If possible, move the vehicles involved out of the lanes of travel and out of oncoming traffic in order to avoid any subsequent accidents.
• Remain on the scene until the officers advise you that you may leave.
• Provide the requested information to the police. Ask for a copy of the police report and take down the officer’s name and badge number.
• ALWAYS collect the following information from the other people involved in the accident:
  • Names, addresses and telephone numbers.
  • Insurance company name and policy numbers
  • The involved persons driver’s license numbers
  • All pertinent information from any eye witnesses who were at the scene when the accident happened.
• Take photos or videos of all of the vehicles involved in the accident. Documenting the damage to the vehicles can help at a later time to show how the accident happened and where the impact occurred.
• Seek prompt medical attention; go to a hospital, urgent care or your primary care doctor to get evaluated as you may have suffered injuries that you do not even know you have yet.
• While insurance companies may contact you to ask for a recorded statement or wanting you to fill out paperwork, DO NOT REPLY OR SIGN ANYTHING, until AFTER speaking with a Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorney to know your options. A lawyer can help you navigate your way through dealing with the insurance companies.

Timing is essential, so make sure to take prompt action and know your rights by getting help immediately.
What to tell insurance companies in an auto accident?

While insurance companies may contact you asking for a recorded statement or wanting you to complete paperwork, DO NOT REPLY OR SIGN ANYTHING, until AFTER speaking with a Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorney to know what your options are.

A Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorney can help you navigate your way through dealing with the insurance companies. The insurance companies have one goal in mind after an automobile accident, and that is to look out for their interests. A Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorney is hired to represent YOUR interests on your behalf. The words you speak in a brief conversation to an experienced insurance adjuster can easily be distorted, misquoted or taken out of context and used to hide the truth about what happened to cause your injury.  Insurance companies use their financial resources for their benefit; do the same by using an experienced Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorney to represent you and be in your corner through this difficult time.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, contact an experienced attorney at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation. You will pay nothing for our professional help until we recover compensation on your behalf.

Where do car accidents happen most?

Automobile accidents can happen anywhere. In fact, more than half of all automobile accidents occur within 5 miles from a person’s home.  Typically this is because of the relaxed feeling we have due to the repetition of driving through one’s own neighborhood. Driving in familiar routes typically causes one to rely more on muscle memory. To avoid the pitfalls of relying on muscle memory, always buckle your seatbelt and stay alert while driving these routine routes.

Timing can be everything when driving. Late afternoon and evening are the most common and most dangerous times to drive.  This is due to the flux of travelers heading home from work. As most take the same routes to and from work, being extra alert during these times is extra important. Even knowing the route expertly, unexpected elements may arise such as other drivers, car equipment failure, or a crossing animal. Being extra alert may increase your response time and ability to avoid such accidents when driving.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, contact an experienced attorney at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation. You will pay nothing for our professional help until we recover compensation s on your behalf.

Is the owner of a car liable for an accident in Fort Lauderdale?

• Yes, the owner of the vehicle is always liable if the person driving the owners’ vehicle was at fault for the accident.

What to tell insurance companies in an auto accident in Fort Lauderdale?

• First, call Steinger, Greene & Feiner to discuss your rights. After you report the crash to your insurance carrier, they will open an investigation. Steinger, Greene & Feiner will talk to the insurance companies for you, so you can focus on treating your injuries and getting better.

Is Florida a no fault state for car accidents in Fort Lauderdale?

• Florida is known as a No Fault state.
• Insurance Companies are required to provide a certain level of coverage for their insured if they are involved in an automobile accident, regardless of fault. In exchange, a victim of an auto-accident can only bring a claim against an at-fault party if they have sustained injuries. Steinger, Greene & Feiner urges all drivers to carry Uninsured and Underinsured coverage in the instance that the party at-fault does not have sufficient coverage.
• The Insurance Companies’ mandatory coverage of their own insured is called Personal Injury Protection [PIP].

What is the average payout for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale?

There is no average payout for a car accident. Recovery for an accident depends on many factors, such as:

1. Coverage available
2. Injuries sustained
3. Property Damage
4. Number of parties involved

Who is at fault in a 3 car accident in Fort Lauderdale?

• The answer all depends on the facts of the specific accident.

Accident From Defective Vehicle?

Defective Automotive Products & Car Accidents

Accelerator pedals that stick, faulty air bags that don’t deploy when they need to, seat belts that break in an accident, tires that blow out on the interstate because of poor workmanship—all of these car product defects are preventable.

If you are the victim of an accident that was caused by a defective product, contact our Miami automobile defects lawyers today—we know how to handle negligent manufacturers.

Types of Defects

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner , we handle all kinds of car product defect cases, including:

• Auto recalls
• Defective air bags
• Defective door latches
• Defective tires and tread separation
• Gas tank explosions
• Occupant ejections
• Roof crush accidents
• Seat belt or seat back failure
• SUV and 15-passenger van rollover accidents