The best car accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, FL
Known for its vibrant culture, endless palm trees and picturesque beaches, West Palm Beach is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. With the influx of tourist and visitors, however, car accidents are common.
If you’ve been a victim of a car accident in West Palm Beach, you have the right to take legal action. You will need a car accident lawyer to help you determine how best to pursue a claim; especially under Florida’s no-fault laws. A West Palm Beach car accident attorney can guide you through the legal system to maximize your chances of recovering full and fair compensation for your losses.
Finding the right lawyer during a time of crisis is always a challenge. We’ve assembled a list of the best car accident attorneys in West Palm Beach so you can find the right advocate to help after an auto accident changes your life.
Best Car Accident Attorneys for West Palm Beach
Why They Made Our List:
Lance C. Ivey served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army before earning his law degree at St. Thomas University. In 2021, he was recognized among the Best Lawyers in America by US News & World Reports. Ivey’s past successes in representing auto accident victims have improved consumer safety as one major automaker recalled more than 300,000 vehicles after Ivey reached a large confidential settlement in a case involving a defective seat belt.
Ivey has obtained numerous multi-million dollar settlements for clients against nearly every major automaker, and his focus is on design and manufacturing defects that cause severe harm to auto accident victims.
Why they Made Our List:
Samuel R. Guelli is a partner at the Law Office of Brian D. Guralnick as well as a board-certified civil trial lawyer; a designation awarded to just 1% of all attorneys.
After working for years defending insurance companies, Guelli shifted his focus to helping accident victims to get the justice they deserve. He has more than 20 years of experience, aggressively fighting for victims rights in both New York and Palm Beach County.
Why They Made Our List:
Michael J. Overbeck is a graduate of Loyola of Chicago School of Law who has practiced law in the South Florida area since 1992. He is a board-certified civil trial lawyer who focuses on auto accidents. Overbeck has a long and successful track record of recovering compensation for injured clients.
Overbeck previously served as president of both the Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association and of the Guild of Florida Catholic Lawyers in Palm Beach County. He received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, a peer rating indicating their highest level of professional excellence.
Why They Made Our List:
Matthew K. Schwencke is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, he served as an intern to a federal magistrate judge, was a member of the award-winning Moot Court, and prosecuted criminal cases as a certified legal intern for the Pinellas County State Attorney’s office.
Schwencke is a board-certified civil trial lawyer, as well as a member of ABOTA; an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to promoting jury trials. He has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured plaintiffs and was recognized by Courtroom View Network for obtaining one of the Top 10 Most Impressive Plaintiff’s Verdicts in the United States in 2021.
Why They Made Our List:
Michael S. Smith graduated from Duke University School of Law with high honors. After graduation, he represented insurance companies and large corporations, trying over 100 jury trials while acting as legal counsel for big name insurers.
Smith found his passion when he switched to representing victims rather than insurers, becoming a shareholder in Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, in 2004. He has spent more than 20 years fighting for the rights of the injured, earning accolades including being designated among the Best Lawyers in America as well as among the Florida Super Lawyers in the field of personal injury.
What happens after an auto accident in West Palm Beach?
If you get into an auto accident, you are expected to stop at the scene of the crash. Florida Statute Section 316.065 also requires you to report crashes to the police if anyone is hurt or killed or if the crash causes more than $500 in property damage.
Since Florida is a no-fault state, drivers must recover compensation through their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. You must make your claim with your own insurer unless your injuries rise to the level of serious, as defined in Florida Statute section 627.737; permanent impairments to your body, or permanent and severe scarring or disfigurement usually fall under the definition of serious injuries.
If you can move forward with a claim against the other driver, you must do so within two years of the time of the accident under the statute of limitations set forth in Florida Statute section 95.11.
It’s always a good idea to get legal help as soon as possible in an accident’s aftermath. The best West Palm Beach auto accident attorneys will work closely with you to gather evidence, understand legal remedies you can access, and fight for your right to maximize your compensation. Finding a trusted lawyer can be a challenge, but we recommend you start with the ones we’ve reviewed in this guide to get the best representation.
Florida driving rules
There are certain requirements every Florida driver must fulfill. For example, Florida Statute section 627.7407 mandates the purchase of PIP so that drivers can get compensation for medical bills from their own insurance company in all crashes.
The Florida Department of Highway and Motor Vehicle Safety makes clear that drivers must have a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Drivers must purchase at least $10,000 in property damage liability coverage to pay for losses that they cause to the property of others.
What can a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer do for you?
A West Palm Beach auto accident lawyer will advise you on next steps after a car accident. Your attorney will also handle the legal issues for you after an auto accident so you can focus on recovering.
Whether you lose a loved one or suffer serious injuries that impact your life, your attorney will help you fight to ensure the at-fault driver covers your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other economic and non-financial losses.
Contact a skilled and compassionate attorney as soon as possible in the aftermath of an accident to get your case underway.
Related Links
- How to Find the Best Florida Car Accident Lawyer
- How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Attorney
- How to Find the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in Florida
- What to Do After a Car Accident Injury in Florida
Methodology
Our mission is to provide our readers with useful information about the law in their state and city. To find the best car accident lawyers in any given city, our team took into account various factors including: licenses and certifications, reputation and clients success. To guide readers who are searching for the best lawyers in their market, we provided important information about fee structure, communication style, negotiation and litigation experience. We also provided readers with state-specific laws and norms to keep in mind when navigating the legal system.
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This story was originally published September 5, 2024 at 12:15 PM.