If you were involved in a car crash in Hialeah, Florida, and did not sustain physical injuries, you can still sue the other party for damages. The best way to know is by consulting a car crash accident lawyer.
A car crash lawyer serving Hialeah, FL, can analyze the circumstances of your case and let you know what your legal options are. Suing another party in a car accident, even if you did not sustain injuries, is possible as you can pursue a property damage claim, for example. Here is what you should know about car accidents without injuries and how they work in Florida.
Dealing With a Car Accident Claim With No Injuries
In most cases, car accident claims are associated with personal injury claims. However, if you haven’t sustained injuries, you most likely won’t be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the other party.
In Florida, all drivers are required to carry minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which is $10,000, and property damage liability (PDL) coverage, which is also $10,000. This money is to cover minor injuries and property damage.
However, there are cases where PDL and PIP coverage isn’t enough to cover the damages incurred in a car crash. Even if you did not sustain any physical injuries, your property damage may be extensive, making you eligible to pursue a property damage claim against the other party.
Property damage isn’t strictly tied to your vehicle’s damages but to everything in it as well. In situations where the property damage exceeds $500, you are required to report the accident to law enforcement agencies under Florida law.
Suing Someone For Damaging Your Vehicle
Before taking legal action against another party for your property damage, you must assess whether or not the at-fault driver’s PDL insurance can cover the damages incurred. If you pursue a claim to be compensated through PDL and have it undervalued or denied, you have two options:
- Seeking compensation by bringing your claim to small claims court, but only if the damage isn’t major
- If the damage is major or exceeds the small claims limits, you can file a claim in civil court
If you pursue a claim, then an insurance adjuster will be dispatched to investigate your case and make you an offer. In many instances, the offer will not cover the costs, but it will open up negotiations. In this case, you can seek the help of a reputable car accident attorney in Hialeah to help you.
A car accident lawyer could help you get compensation in a car accident claim even if you did not sustain injuries, depending on the circumstances of your case. If the negotiations with the insurance company fail, a lawyer can help you initiate a lawsuit to pursue compensation. Speak with a lawyer in Hialeah to learn more about your legal options. You can receive a consultation on your case to find out whether you might be able to sue the other party for your car accident, even if you did not sustain injuries.