WINTER HAVEN CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Many car accidents are preventable. In Winter Haven, crashes often happen when drivers make everyday mistakes that quickly turn dangerous. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Texting, using GPS, adjusting music, or taking attention off the road for even a few seconds.
• Speeding: Driving too fast for traffic or road conditions reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, or marijuana can significantly impair judgment and reaction time.
• Aggressive or reckless driving: Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, road rage, and ignoring traffic laws.
• Failure to yield: Often seen at intersections, left turns, and merging points.
• Running red lights or stop signs: A frequent cause of serious T-bone and intersection crashes.
• Driver fatigue: Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving, especially during early morning or late-night hours.
• Weather-related hazards: Heavy rain, fog, and slick road surfaces can reduce visibility and traction, increasing crash risk on Florida roads.

Even careful drivers can be seriously injured when others fail to drive responsibly. When negligence causes a crash, injured victims may have the right to pursue compensation.

Not every crash leads to a lawsuit. However, a car accident claim may exist when another driver’s negligence causes injuries or financial losses.

Key factors typically include:

• An injury or measurable loss: This may include medical treatment, lost income, ongoing pain, or property damage.
• Another party’s negligence: Common examples include distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield, impaired driving, or violating traffic laws.
• A connection between the crash and your injuries: Medical records, photos, vehicle damage, and timing often play a critical role in establishing this link.
• Available insurance coverage: Most claims are resolved through insurance, either the at-fault driver’s policy or, in some cases, your own.

You do not need catastrophic injuries, a totaled vehicle, or absolute certainty about fault to explore your options. Many valid claims involve delayed symptoms, disputed liability, or insurance resistance; situations where legal guidance can make a meaningful difference.

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor conditions to permanent, life-altering trauma. Some injuries are obvious at the scene, while others worsen or don’t fully appear until days or weeks later.

Common car accident injuries include:

• Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries, such as muscle strains, ligament tears, and tendon damage to the neck, shoulders, and back
• Broken bones and fractures, including arms, legs, ribs, wrists, ankles, and facial bones
• Back and spinal injuries, such as herniated discs, nerve compression, and spinal cord damage, may lead to chronic pain or mobility limitations
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can affect memory, concentration, mood, and balance
• Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, that may not be immediately noticeable but can become life-threatening
• Cuts, lacerations, and scarring, often caused by broken glass, airbags, or sharp vehicle components
• Burn injuries, including chemical burns from airbag deployment or thermal burns following vehicle fires
• Knee, hip, and joint injuries, particularly common in front-impact or side-impact crashes
• Psychological injuries, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are especially common after serious or violent collisions

Even crashes that seem “minor” can result in long-term complications like chronic pain, nerve damage, headaches, or reduced range of motion. Because delayed symptoms are common, seeking prompt medical care is critical, not only to protect your health but also to properly document injuries that may later affect an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Your priority after any crash is safety and medical care. Call 911 if anyone is injured, and accept medical evaluation at the scene or shortly afterward, even if symptoms feel minor. Many injuries, including concussions and soft-tissue damage, don’t show up right away.

If it’s safe, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent secondary crashes and turn on hazard lights. Florida law generally encourages clearing the roadway when possible after a collision.

A police report is important, even in lower-impact accidents. The report creates an official record of what happened, which can be critical later when dealing with insurance companies. When speaking with officers, stick to the facts and avoid guessing or assigning blame.

At the scene, exchange basic information with the other driver, including name, contact details, and insurance information. Avoid discussing fault or apologizing, as even casual statements can be used against you later.

Use your phone to document the scene thoroughly. Take photos of vehicle damage from multiple angles, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals or signs, and any visible injuries. If witnesses stopped to help or saw the crash happen, get their contact information before they leave.

As soon as you’re able, notify your insurance company and provide the basic facts of the accident. Be cautious with recorded statements, broad explanations, or speculation about injuries or fault until you understand your legal options.

A simple rule to remember: the earlier you document and seek care, the harder it becomes for an insurance company to dispute what happened or downplay your injuries.

Florida law sets deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and missing them can permanently bar recovery. While most car accident claims must be filed within a specific timeframe from the date of the crash, limited exceptions may apply.

Waiting too long can also weaken your case. Evidence disappears, surveillance footage is overwritten, and memories fade. Speaking with an attorney early helps preserve critical proof and protects your rights.

Yes, often you can. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages as long as you were not primarily responsible for the crash.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by that amount, leaving you with $80,000. However, if you are found more than 50% responsible, you may be barred from recovering compensation.

Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame to reduce what they have to pay. Evidence such as photos from the scene, witness statements, vehicle damage analysis, traffic camera footage, and crash data can play a major role in how fault is assigned and how much compensation remains available.

This is why documenting the accident and understanding how fault is evaluated can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of a claim.

If the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to fully pay for your injuries, you may still have options through uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy. This coverage is designed to step in when the at-fault driver cannot.

UM/UIM coverage may help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you would normally seek from the other driver’s insurer. In some cases, it can be the primary source of recovery after a serious crash.

However, these claims are often contested. Even though the claim is made under your own policy, your insurance company may still challenge fault, question the severity of your injuries, dispute the necessity of treatment, or attempt to minimize the value of the claim. The process can feel surprisingly adversarial.

Because UM and UIM claims involve detailed policy language, strict notice requirements, and aggressive insurance tactics, having legal representation can help ensure your coverage is properly applied, deadlines are met, and the full scope of your losses is taken into account.

Florida is a no-fault state, which means your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays a portion of medical expenses regardless of fault. However, PIP coverage is limited and often insufficient for serious injuries.

When injuries exceed PIP limits, additional compensation may be available through liability claims against the at-fault driver or other applicable insurance policies.

Timelines vary. Some cases resolve in months through settlement, while others take longer if injuries are severe, liability is disputed, or litigation becomes necessary.

The goal is not speed alone, but securing compensation that reflects the full impact of the crash, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and long-term limitations.

Often, no. Early settlement offers frequently undervalue injuries, especially when long-term treatment or recovery is still uncertain.

Once you accept a settlement, you generally waive the right to seek additional compensation. An attorney can help evaluate whether an offer truly reflects your damages before you make a decision.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation that reflects both the immediate and long-term impact of the crash. The types of damages available depend on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how the accident has affected your life. Compensation may include:

Medical Expenses

Emergency care, ambulance transport, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications, medical equipment, and any future treatment your injuries may require.

Lost Wages

Income lost while recovering from your injuries, including missed workdays, reduced hours, or time away from work for medical appointments.

Reduced or Lost Earning Capacity

Compensation if your injuries limit your ability to return to your previous job, reduce your work hours, or affect your long-term career prospects.

Pain and Suffering

Physical pain, chronic discomfort, and the emotional toll of living with injuries caused by the accident.

Emotional Distress

Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, sleep disruption, or other psychological effects following a serious crash.

Permanent Disability or Impairment

Damages for long-lasting or permanent injuries that affect mobility, independence, or quality of life.

Disfigurement and Scarring

Compensation for visible scars, burns, or physical changes that result from the accident or necessary medical treatment.

Property Damage

Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the crash, as well as related expenses such as towing or rental cars.

Every car accident case is different. The value of a claim depends on factors such as the extent of your injuries, long-term medical needs, available insurance coverage, and how the crash has altered your daily life, work, and future.

Morgan & Morgan handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront costs and no legal fees unless compensation is recovered; The Fee Is Free®.

You can get answers without financial risk and focus on healing while we handle the legal fight.

Local knowledge matters. A Winter Haven attorney understands Polk County roads, traffic patterns, courts, and insurers, and how claims are handled in the area.

At Morgan & Morgan, you also gain the strength of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm with local insight. Our team has the resources to take on insurance companies of any size while keeping your case personal and responsive.

If you were injured in a car accident in Winter Haven, you deserve answers and a path forward. Our attorneys are here to help you understand your options, protect your claim, and pursue the compensation you need to move on. Complete a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.