Category Archives: Car Accident
What Happens If You Hit a Cyclist With Your Car in Florida?
If you hit a cyclist with your car, remain on the scene and cooperate with the police when they arrive. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, your insurance company may need to pay for the medical expenses and lost income if the cyclist suffers bodily injury. The injured party may hire a Florida… Read More
When To Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident in FL?
You should reach out to a Florida car accident lawyer for a free case evaluation as soon as your injuries allow. You may have a right to pursue fault-based compensation if you suffered serious injuries in the crash. However, there is a two-year deadline for doing so, as set by Florida law. You must… Read More
How to Sue After a Car Accident in Florida
Depending on your car accident, your injuries and losses could be quite serious. Though most cases can be resolved without an attorney, if you are suffering from serious injuries that have kept you out of work, you may want to discuss suing the at-fault driver with an accident attorney. Be advised that you can… Read More
How Much Does an Attorney Charge for a Car Accident in Florida?
Most personal injury attorneys operate their law firms on a contingency fee agreement. Under a contingency fee agreement, the lawyer takes on the client’s case and bears the financial burden of building the case and pursuing compensation. When the lawyer has successfully obtained a settlement or court award, the client pays the attorney’s fees,… Read More
What Is the Average Florida Car Accident Settlement?
Many factors impact the value of a car accident settlement in Florida. They are different for each person, even if two people suffer the same injury. For this reason, there is no average Florida car accident settlement. The best way to understand your possible settlement after a crash is to discuss your case with… Read More
How Do Car Accident Settlements Work?
Being hurt in an auto accident brings a lot of stress. Even once your injuries are healing, you still have to deal with insurance claims and pursue compensation. Understanding how car accident settlements work can help alleviate your stress. Working with a car accident lawyer ensures you know what to expect and have someone… Read More
How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Florida
If you were in an auto accident in Florida and need a copy of your police report, you can get a copy from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). You must pay a $10 fee, plus an additional $2 convenience charge. Conversely, you can contact the reporting police officer’s precinct…. Read More
Is Florida a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
Yes. Florida is a no-fault state for auto accidents, one of only twelve in the United States. This system ensures that motorists with insurance have financial recovery options after suffering collisions. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a collision, we encourage you to connect with Meldon Law. Our Florida car accident… Read More
What Should I Do If I Get Injured In An Accident With An Uber Driver
Uber and Lyft are rideshare services that many people use for various reasons. You’ve probably used one of these services at least once in your life, but have you ever thought about what you should do if you get injured in an accident with an Uber driver? It may seem like an unlikely event,… Read More
Can You Change Attorneys Mid-Case?
You got into an accident without much rhyme or reason, and you hired a lawyer to represent you. On paper, the lawyer you hired seemed like the right choice, but as time has gone on, you are starting to think you may have made a mistake. Luckily in the state of Florida, the law… Read More
What Not To Do After A Car Accident
A car crash can be a scary event, especially if your entire family is involved. Even a minor accident can leave you frazzled. You might just want to hurry through the process and get on with your life. However, you need to make sure you follow the right processes after you’re involved in a… Read More
How Long After a Car Accident Can I File a Claim?
When you have been involved in a car accident, you may not immediately think to consult a personal injury attorney, particularly if you feel that the accident was minor. But, as the full extent of your injuries and suffering becomes evident in the months following the incident, you may wonder how long you have… Read More
What is the Law in Florida for Using Blinkers When Making a Turn?
Florida law is very clear about this, and violation of failing to use turning signals properly can result in a traffic ticket. Below is a summary of the laws, for more information see, Turning Signals; Know the Law for Safe Driving. As an accident attorney I know how important it is for a driver… Read More
What is the Penalty for Failing to Stop for a School Bus in Florida and Are There Any Other Consequences?
As an accident attorney, that has seen the devastating effects of school bus accidents involving a child hit by a car, I can say that this is an important topic to be reminded of as school is starting. Below I have given the penalties, however, keep in mind the biggest penalty is not the… Read More
What Is PIP Coverage In Florida? A Simple Guide
People are often confused about what PIP is, whose insurance company pays out the benefits in the event of an accident, and what is meant by Florida being a “no-fault” state. Below, we detail what you need to know about PIP coverage in Florida. What Is PIP Coverage in Florida? The laws surrounding PIP… Read More
What Happens if I Was Hit by a Driver Who Has No Insurance?
It is a sad fact that if you are injured in an accident, even if you were not at fault, you may be stuck paying thousands of dollars in medical bills because the other driver had no insurance. An option to help reduce this risk is to carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage yourself. While it… Read More
What Do I Do at a Four Way Stop? What Are the Rules in Gainesville?
According to Florida law, Florida Statutes Section 316.123, when you are approaching a four way stop, the first person to come to a complete stop is given the right to pull through the intersection. If more than one person stops at the same time, the person to the right has the right-of-way and may… Read More
What Are the Penalties for Illegally Passing a School Bus in the State of Florida?
Passing a school bus either when it is stopped or when it is preparing to stop is illegal because of the danger it poses to children entering or exiting the bus. You should always be alert when driving behind a school bus because of this risk. If a driver illegally passes a school bus… Read More
Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Required in Florida?
As a general rule, no, Bodily Injury Liability insurance is not required in Florida. This kind of insurance covers the medical expenses of anyone injured by the policyholder in a car accident, but the vast majority of drivers in this state are not legally required to carry such policies. If you are injured by… Read More
Can I Only Operate My ATV or Go-Kart on My Property or I Can Actually Ride It on the Street in Gainesville?
In Florida, you may operate an ATV or go-kart only on private land or on unpaved public roadways where the speed limit is less than 35 mph. If you decide to operate an ATV or a go-kart on an unpaved public roadway, you can do so only during daytime. You are also prohibited from… Read More
Could I Have a Claim for Punitive Damages Against My Insurance Company?
Yes, possibly. Florida law entitles an insured to punitive damages, if the insurance company engages in unfair claims settlement practices with such a frequency to indicate general business practices that are willful, wanton, and reckless to the right’s of the insured. (F.S. §627.736)(2010). In this situation, punitive damages are intended to punish the insurance… Read More
What to Do After a Car Accident
At the end of the day, you can never truly prepare for a collision. Accidents are unexpected by nature, and the whirlwind of getting injured can quickly overtake you. That’s why it’s so important to understand what to do after a car accident. Here, Meldon Law has listed some considerations that could bolster your… Read More
Common Car Accident Injuries
“Man, my back hurts!” “My neck feels really stiff!” “It’s so weird, but I feel sore all over my body!” I often hear these statements from clients after they have been involved in car accidents. Their bodies hurt all over, and the pain usually worsens before it gets better. Even the toughest humans I… Read More
Punitive Damages in a Florida Auto Accident Case Explained by Local Attorney
Do you know when an automobile accident victim may be awarded punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages? Punitive damages are often misunderstood. In this article accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, explains what they are, who pays, and when they may come into play in a car crash. What are Punitive Damages? Punitive damages may… Read More
Hit And Run Accident – How To Avoid Being Charged With This Crime
Do you know how to avoid being accused of the crime of leaving the scene of an accident? Experienced Florida accident attorney Jeffrey Meldon offers his guidance to help you be safe and legal in the event of a crash on the road. What is a “hit and run?” A “hit and run” happens… Read More
Rear-End Collisions and Recovery of Damages in Florida
Personal injury attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, discusses recovery of damages in rear-enders in Florida. Many people assume that they can recover all their damages when someone rear-ends their car. While it is true that in Florida there is a presumption that the driver who rear-ended another vehicle was the sole cause of the accident, the… Read More
Auto Insurance Coverage: Laws, Recommendations, Factors And Tips For Florida Drivers.
Gainesville Accident Attorney, Jeffrey Meldon’s Florida Insurance: Laws, Recommendations, Factors and Tips Having adequate insurance coverage is probably the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of an accident. As a Florida car accident attorney for 37 years, day in and day out people are shocked when I have… Read More
Comparative Negligence is Explained and Discussed, Including Why It is an Important Part of Our Legal System for: Car, Motorcycle, Truck and Slip and Fall Accidents.
Comparative Negligence 101: Comparative negligence is explained and discussed including why it is an important part of our Florida legal system today. Accident cases are often not black and white. Commonly there is more than one person at fault. There are some cases where one person is 100% at fault and the other person… Read More
Top Five Causes of Car Accidents: Driver Actions and Behaviors That Place You at Risk of Serious Injury
Despite countless public safety campaigns and stricter traffic laws that encourage safe driving, more and more drivers take risks when they get behind the wheel. Drunk driving, cellphone distraction, and aggressive driving result in impaired, distracted, and angry drivers. This toxic roadway culture places everyday drivers at risk for serious injury. If you’ve been… Read More
Rideshare Accidents: If a Lyft Driver Hits Me, Who Can I Sue?
Lyft is a major player in the current rideshare industry. It’s an up-and-coming rideshare choice, second only to Uber, that provides yet another option for catching a ride. With an estimated 1.4 million Lyft drivers on America’s highways and city streets, you face a real chance of being involved in an accident with a… Read More
