At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, our commitment to securing justice for car accident victims in Pensacola is rooted in our comprehensive approach, legal proficiency, and deep community ties. Here are the key reasons to choose our firm to represent you:
- Collaborative Legal Team: Our attorneys work together across their respective practice areas to build a robust case tailored to your needs. This approach helps us to handle every aspect of your claim with precision to maximize your recovery. By pooling our collective knowledge, we aim to achieve the most favorable outcome for your case.
- Board Certified Civil Trial Attorneys: Our firm includes attorneys who are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar. This is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar, signifying extensive experience and proven skill in civil litigation. When you work with our firm, you gain the advantage of representation from lawyers who have met these rigorous standards for trying cases and handling complex personal injury claims.
- Deep Community Involvement: We are proud to be an integral part of the Pensacola community, contributing financially to local initiatives that reflect our values and providing support in the wake of natural disasters. This reflects our dedication to the well-being of our clients and neighbors, ensuring that we approach your case with a personal investment in your recovery and the community’s welfare. Our longstanding presence fosters trust and reliability in our representation.
- Over a Century of Service: Since 1913, Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon has been a trusted name in Pensacola, evolving to meet the needs of our clients while keeping a firm commitment to excellence. This extensive history equips us with the insight and resources to confidently handle car accident claims, ensuring your case is managed with the care and attention it deserves. Our legacy reflects a proven track record of securing compensation for victims of negligence.
- Convenient Location: Our Pensacola office is located just a short walk from Palafox Place, making it easily accessible for clients throughout the area. Whether you’re coming from a visit to the vibrant downtown shops or a stroll along the waterfront, our location is central and convenient. Contact us at (850) 433-6581 to schedule a consultation to begin pursuing your rightful compensation.
Our practice combines legal acumen, community dedication, and a client-focused approach to deliver results. These qualities ensure that your car accident claim is handled with the utmost care, aiming to alleviate the financial and personal burdens caused by the crash. When you entrust your case to us, we will fight for the full scope of remedies available under Florida law to allow you to rebuild your life.
What Compensation Can Cover in a Pensacola Car Accident Claim
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident in Pensacola due to another driver’s negligence, a personal injury claim can seek compensation to address your financial and personal losses. Under Florida law, compensation in car accident cases is designed to restore victims to their position before the crash to the extent possible. Below are the types of damages that a Pensacola car accident lawyer from Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can help pursue:
Medical Expenses
We pursue the full cost of medical care related to the accident. This includes both current and future expenses, including:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalization and surgeries
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices or assistive equipment
- Ongoing treatment for chronic injuries
Sometimes, we may work with medical experts to project long-term care costs when injuries result in permanent disability or require extended treatment.
Loss of Livelihood
If your car accident injuries limit your capacity to work, you may recover income lost during your recovery period. A reduced paycheck or forced early retirement can affect your financial stability for years. If the crash impacts your ability to earn income in the future, compensation can account for this diminished earning capacity. We will ensure that the available compensation accounts for short-term gaps and long-term career impact.
Property Damage
You can pursue the cost of repairing or securing another vehicle and any personal items damaged in the crash. It includes electronic devices, tools, or any items that were in the car at the time of the collision. The value of property loss can exceed basic repairs, especially if the vehicle was essential for commuting or business purposes. We will ensure that you recover these costs so you are not left paying out of pocket.
Pain and Suffering
This involves the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries. In Florida, if you have been in an accident, you can seek compensation for these issues:
- Chronic pain
- Emotional trauma
- Anxiety or depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages recognize the personal toll of the accident beyond measurable financial losses, aiming to provide relief for the intangible hardships you face. For instance, if the accident left you with a lasting impairment, such as a spinal cord injury, you can pursue damages that reflect the long-term impact on your life and self-image.
Loss of Consortium
In severe injury cases, a spouse may pursue compensation for loss of companionship, affection, or marital support due to the harm suffered by their partner. The ripple effects of an accident often reach beyond the injured party, affecting entire families emotionally and financially.
Car Accident Claims in Pensacola
Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injuries in Florida, and many result from preventable negligence. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we represent victims who have suffered extreme harm in all types of vehicle collisions. Regardless of the type of crash involved in your case, our firm is prepared to preserve your rights and fight for fair compensation.
Some types of collisions we handle include the following:
- Rear-End Collisions: These often happen in stop-and-go traffic or intersections. They may seem minor but can cause lasting neck and back injuries.
- Head-On Accidents: These are some of the most dangerous types of crashes. Head-on impacts usually involve serious injuries and extensive property damage.
- Side-Impact or T-Bone Accidents: Common at intersections, these crashes happen when a vehicle hits the side of another. Occupants near the impact zone are especially vulnerable.
- Rollover Accidents: These violent crashes can occur due to sharp turns, tire blowouts, or collisions at high speeds. Due to a higher center of gravity, SUVs and trucks more easily roll over in collisions, especially high speeds.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles complicate the issue of fault and increase the risk of serious injuries.
- Drunk Impaired Driving Crashes: We aggressively pursue claims against impaired drivers who cause harm due to alcohol or drug use.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: When a driver who causes a crash flees the scene, we help clients explore options such as uninsured motorist coverage or civil investigations.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Drivers who fail to yield or pay attention can cause devastating injuries to those on foot or bike.
The variety of car accidents necessitates a tailored legal approach for each case. A Pensacola car accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the crash and the resultant injuries to build a claim that reflects the accident’s full impact on your life. Some of the injuries that car accident victims sustain include:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Burns
- Psychological trauma
The severity of the injuries and how they affect a person’s ability to function, earn an income, and maintain their quality of life determine the legal and financial implications. For example, more severe injuries result in higher medical costs, longer time away from work, and more extensive pain and suffering damages.
In Florida, injury severity determines whether you go beyond the no-fault insurance system and file a liability claim. For example, permanent impairment meets the threshold for pursuing compensation directly from the at-fault party. That means the more serious the injury, the more complex and valuable the legal claim can become.
At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we work closely with your medical providers to ensure every injury is properly documented. It includes emergency room records, diagnostic imaging, specialist evaluations, and treatment plans. We may consult medical experts to forecast future care needs and assess permanent impairment in complex cases. Once we fully understand your injuries and their impact, we structure a demand package that presents a compelling case to the insurer or opposing counsel.
Fighting the Insurance Company
After a serious car accident, many victims are shocked to find out that while insurance companies, even their own, present themselves as helpful and cooperative, their primary goal is to protect profits, not their well-being.
Without an experienced attorney, you risk accepting an unfair settlement or an insurer unjustly denying your claim.
Insurance adjusters are familiar with digging out for reasons to reduce payouts. For example, they may:
- Pressure you into giving a recorded statement to use against you later
- Downplay the scope of your car accident injuries or claim your treatment was unnecessary
- Offer quick settlements that don’t reflect the value of your losses
- Blame you, in whole or part, for the accident to reduce liability
- Misinterpret or misapply policy terms to deny coverage
- Without a lawyer, it’s easy to be taken advantage of or accept far less than you deserve.
At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we deal with insurance companies daily and know how to push back. Our team manages all communication with the insurers, so you don’t have to. We conduct thorough investigations, gather medical evidence, determine the value of your claim, and present strong demands backed by facts and law.
And if insurers fail to engage in good faith, we are always willing and ready to advance your case to trial. Your Pensacola car accident lawyer will make sure your voice is heard, your injuries are respected, and your claim is managed to its fullest potential.
What to Do After an Accident to Strengthen Your Claim
Making the right moves after a car accident in Pensacola can greatly bolster your personal injury claim. First, follow your treatment plan exactly because if you miss appointments, those gaps in care can be used against you by the insurance company. Keep all receipts and records related to your accident, including medications, medical equipment, transportation costs, and any home modifications you’ve had to make.
It also helps to keep a daily journal detailing your pain levels, emotional struggles, and how the injury is affecting your daily life. These personal notes can serve as powerful evidence of your non-economic losses.
If you haven’t already, obtain a copy of the police report, which contains key information about the crash, including fault determinations and witness statements. If you took photos at the scene or have contact information for any witnesses, be sure to keep those safe as well.
Most importantly, bring all of this documentation to our law firm. The more information you provide, the stronger your case will be. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we use every piece of evidence available to build the most persuasive claim on your behalf.
Pensacola Car Accident FAQs
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident claim in Florida?
In Florida, you generally have two years from the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. For a wrongful death claim, the deadline is also two years from the date of death.’
Act quickly, as failing to file within this window will likely prevent you from ever recovering compensation.
What is Florida’s “no-fault” law, and how does it affect my claim?
Florida’s no-fault law requires you to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. After an accident, you must first seek compensation from your own PIP policy for your initial medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault.
However, if your injuries are serious and meet a certain threshold (such as causing permanent injury, significant disfigurement, or death), you can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim directly against the at-fault driver for damages like pain and suffering.
What happens if the driver who hit me is uninsured or does not have enough insurance?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your damages, you may still recover compensation through your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This optional but highly recommended part of any auto insurance policy protects you in these situations. We can review your policy to determine your options.
Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?
No. You should not provide a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster without first speaking to an attorney. Adjusters ask questions to lead you to unintentionally hurt your claim. Politely decline their request and direct them to your lawyer. We will handle all communications and protect your rights.
Contact a Pensacola Car Accident Lawyer Immediately
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident in Pensacola, promptly reach out to a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and strengthen your claim.
At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, our car accident attorneys act swiftly to preserve evidence and ensure your claim is built on a solid foundation.
Our firm has been serving Florida residents since 1913, and we continue to provide trusted legal representation grounded in real results. To focus on your health and heal properly, let your lawyer handle all the details of your case. Fill out our online form today or call (850) 433-6581 for your free consultation.