Car Accident Attorney
Schlesinger Law Offices: When you need a car accident attorney
Serious Cases. Proven Results.
Trial-Ready Representation.
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be dealing with medical bills, time away from work, and pressure from insurance companies. Not every case requires a lawyer, but when injuries are serious or liability is disputed, having experienced legal representation can make a meaningful difference.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, we focus on serious injury cases and have decades of experience handling complex claims involving insurance companies and large corporations.
Car Accident
"*" indicates required fields
How Schlesinger Law Offices Handle Car Accident Cases
Building a strong car accident case often requires more than simply submitting a claim. When injuries are significant or liability is disputed, a careful and methodical approach can make a meaningful difference in how a case is evaluated and ultimately resolved.
Our approach typically includes:
- Investigating the cause of the accident and identifying contributing factors
- Gathering and preserving evidence, including photographs, reports, and witness statements
- Reviewing medical records to understand the full scope of injuries and treatment
- Consulting with medical professionals to evaluate injuries and long-term impact
- Working with accident reconstruction experts when liability is disputed
- Evaluating both economic and non-economic damages
- Identifying all available sources of insurance coverage
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Preparing cases for litigation, including filing suit when appropriate
This process is designed to develop a clear and well-supported claim, one that reflects not just what happened, but how the injuries have affected your life.
Not every case requires this level of involvement, but when it does, taking a thorough approach early can help avoid issues later.
Some firms prioritize resolving cases quickly. Our focus is on fully developing the case, so any resolution reflects the true scope of the injuries and damages involved.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Start With the Basics
Taking care of your health and documenting the accident should always come first.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Report the accident and obtain a police report
- Take photos of vehicles, injuries, and surroundings
- Exchange information with other drivers
Keep Track of How the Injuries Affect You
Medical records are important, but they don’t always capture the full impact of an injury.
Keep track of:
- missed work or reduced hours
- ongoing pain or limitations
- changes in daily activities
- follow-up appointments and treatment
This information can become important later in the process.
Take Steps to Protect Your Claim
As the situation develops, the decisions you make can affect how your claim is handled, especially when dealing with insurance companies or understanding your legal options.
You should:
- save any documents or communications from insurance companies
- avoid agreements or recorded statements before fully understanding your injuries
- keep copies of all accident-related records and correspondence
- speak with an attorney if injuries are serious, liability is unclear, or the claim becomes complicated
Getting guidance at the right time can help you better understand your options and avoid issues that may affect your claim later.
OUR results
$30.5 Million
The firm won $30.5 million in compensation for the family of a man who sustained a brain injury in a car accident.
$30 Million
Johnson V Prada – $30 Million verdict after Mr. Johnson suffered brain damage from an auto accident.
$15.7 Million
Roster v Florida Dept of Transportation – $15,737,000 verdict. Mr. Roster was struck by a drunk driver and left a quadriplegic.
What Not to Do After a Car Accident
Many people focus on what they should do after an accident, but certain missteps can create problems later, especially when dealing with insurance companies or documenting injuries. Avoiding these issues early can help protect your ability to pursue a claim.
Avoid Giving Detailed Statements Too Early
Insurance adjusters may contact you shortly after an accident and ask for a recorded statement. While this may seem routine, early statements are often made before the full extent of injuries is known.
Do Not Minimize Your Injuries
It’s common to feel “okay” immediately after an accident, especially with adrenaline. However, symptoms can develop hours or days later. Downplaying injuries early can create inconsistencies in your medical records.
Avoid Delaying Medical Treatment
In Florida, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Waiting too long can affect your ability to access coverage and may complicate how your injuries are evaluated.
Be Careful With Social Media
Posts, photos, and comments can be taken out of context and used to question the seriousness of an injury. Even casual updates can become part of how a claim is evaluated.
Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement Without Understanding Your Injuries
Early settlement offers may not account for ongoing treatment or long-term effects. Once a claim is resolved, it is typically final.
Why Choose Schlesinger Law Offices
The law firm you choose can influence how your case is evaluated from the very beginning. Insurance companies often assess not just the facts of a claim, but also the firm representing it, particularly whether that firm is known for thorough preparation and a willingness to take cases to trial.
What sets Schlesinger Law Offices apart:
- Over 70 years of experience representing injured clients
- Billions recovered in verdicts and settlements
- Proven track record in high-value and complex cases
- Reputation for being prepared to go to trial when necessary
How Insurance Companies Evaluate a Case
Most people assume insurance companies decide cases based on fairness. In reality, claims are evaluated based on risk, documentation, and how likely a case is to result in litigation.
Insurance companies often look at factors such as:
- Whether injuries are clearly documented early
- The type and consistency of medical treatment
- Gaps in care or delayed treatment
- Whether liability is disputed
- The reputation of the injured person
- The law firm involved and whether they are known to take cases to trial
These factors don’t just affect how a claim is evaluated, they can directly impact how much compensation is ultimately recovered.
What Is a Car Accident Case Worth?
There is no fixed value for a car accident case. The outcome depends on the specific facts, the severity of injuries, and the available evidence.
Some of the factors that may influence the value of a claim include:
- The severity and permanence of the injury
- The type of medical treatment received
- Whether liability is clear or disputed
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- The quality of documentation and evidence
- Whether the case is prepared for trial
Two cases that look similar at first can result in very different outcomes depending on these factors and the quality of your legal representation.
Why Some Car Accident Cases Are Unsuccessful
Some car accident claims that initially appear strong can become difficult to pursue over time. This is often due to issues that developed early in the process. Common problems that can affect a case include:
- Delays in seeking medical treatment
- Inconsistent or incomplete medical records
- Gaps in care or missed follow-up appointments
- Conflicting statements about how the accident occurred
- Limited or insufficient insurance coverage
- Waiting too long to take action or missing important deadlines
- Pre-existing conditions that are not clearly addressed in treatment records
- Lack of documentation (photos, reports, or witness information)
- Early statements that do not reflect the full extent of injuries
Understanding these challenges early can help avoid complications later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was partially at fault?
Fault is not always clear in a car accident, and Florida law allows for shared responsibility in many cases.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you may still recover compensation if you were less than 50% responsible. Any recovery may be reduced based on your share of fault.
How long do you have to file a claim?
Deadlines are strictly enforced under Florida law, and waiting too long can prevent you from pursuing a claim entirely. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How long does a case take?
Every case progresses at its own pace depending on the complexity of the issues involved and the willingness of parties to resolve the matter.
Some cases resolve within months, while others take longer depending on medical treatment, investigation, and whether litigation is required.
Will my case go to trial?
While many cases settle before reaching trial, some require litigation to achieve a fair resolution. Being prepared to take a case to trial can influence how negotiations are handled throughout the process.
How Does Florida PIP Work?
Florida uses a no-fault system, meaning your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance provides initial coverage after an accident, regardless of fault. PIP provides limited coverage for medical expenses and lost income, generally up to a maximum of $10,000, depending on the circumstances.
To qualify, you must seek medical treatment within a 14 days of the accident. Because coverage is limited, it may not fully account for the total cost or impact of more serious injuries.