Frequently Asked Questions

Call 911, stay calm, and move to a safe location if you are able to. Ask for a police report to document the accident. Go to the hospital if your injuries warrant it. Exchange insurance information with all parties. Do not discuss who is at fault under any circumstances with any of the involved parties or any witnesses. Call your insurance company and make a claim. Keep a camera in your glove box to document any property damage or injuries such as cuts, scrapes, scratches, and/or bruises.

There are many variables that determine the value of your case, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The insurance coverage you carry as well as the insurance coverage the at-fault party carries will also help determine the value of your case.

Personal Injury cases are contracted for a contingency fee. This means the attorney will only be paid if a settlement is reached on your behalf. Typical fees are standard throughout Florida and are 33 1/3% if your case is settled anytime before a lawsuit is filed. Typical fees are 40% if your case settles anytime after a lawsuit is filed and depend on the amount received. Costs are separate from fees.

Every case is different and the time it takes to settle your case varies greatly. A case can settle in as little as a few months and can take as long as a few years depending on your specific circumstances. Mr. Athanason will review this with you during your consultation.

After your initial office visit with Mr. Athanason, we will recommend you to a doctor for treatment, usually a chiropractor, neurologist, or orthopedic surgeon. Depending on your injuries, the doctor will determine how often and for how long you will need to treat. During the course of treatment with your chiropractor, neurologist, or orthopedic surgeon, you will be sent for MRIs, so there will be additional documentation of your injuries. During your course of treatment, we will request updated notes and reports from your treating doctor(s). Once you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), we will request Final Narrative Reports from your doctor(s) that contain your diagnosis, treatment, impairment rating, and future costs of medical care, and proceed with putting together a demand package that will be sent to the insurance company.

Many doctors will not treat you if you have been involved in a personal injury accident. They do not want to get involved with attorneys or with potential lawsuits.

Mr. Athanason has been practicing law and handling personal injury cases for nearly twenty years. Our office has a network of doctors and specialists that we work with on a regular basis. During your consultation, Mr. Athanason will refer you to a doctor that is highly qualified to treat your specific injuries.

Continue to treat with your doctor(s) as they recommend by him or her so your injuries can continue to be documented.

Do not speak to any insurance company about the accident, whether it is your insurance company or the adverse insurance company. Once you have retained Mr. Athanason, you can give the insurance company our information and let them know we are handling your case.

Florida is a no-fault state. Therefore, you are required to use your own insurance company. When you purchased your policy, it most likely came with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP will cover your medical bills, including prescription costs, at 80%, up to $10,000.00. You may or may not have a deductible.

If you do not have PIP coverage, you may be eligible for coverage under another member of your household. This will be discussed during your consultation with Mr. Athanason.

Yes. If you have PIP coverage and it has not been exhausted, it can reimburse you 60% of your lost wages. You can also be reimbursed a flat rate for mileage for travel related to the accident.

No. Mr. Athanason is prohibited both legally and ethically by The Florida Bar to loan any money out from a potential settlement.

The Statute of Limitations in Florida for personal injury cases is typically four years, however there are always exceptions. Consult our office regarding your specific situation.

Bodily Injury (BI) Coverage - Optional coverage for your legal liability for bodily injury to others in case of an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured (UM) Coverage - Optional coverage for bodily injury to you or family members that is from the negligence of others. This coverage pays when there is a hit and run, no adverse insurance or the adverse coverage is not enough to cover the damages you have incurred. Your UM limits cannot exceed the BI limits of your own policy.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage - Required coverage for you, passengers in your car, or certain members of your household for your medical bills and certain other expenses related to an automobile accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP will cover your related expenses at 80%, up to $10,000.00. You may or may not have a deductible. PIP benefits will also cover prescriptions, mileage reimbursement, loss of service expenses, and lost wages (at 60%) if the coverage has not already been exhausted.

Medical Payments (Med Pay) Coverage - Optional coverage for you, passengers in your car, or certain members of your household for your medical bills and certain other expenses related to an automobile accident, regardless of who is at fault. Med Pay is additional coverage that you purchase with your policy and covers the 20% that PIP does not cover and any other related expenses at 100%, up to the limits you purchased. Med Pay limits vary with each insurance company but are generally offered in amounts of $5,000.00, $10,000.00, $15,000.00, and $20,000.00.