Hurt in a crash on the First Coast? Get a Jacksonville car accident lawyer in your corner.
A Jacksonville car accident lawyer takes the insurance companies off your plate after a Florida crash, from your own PIP carrier to the at-fault driver’s insurer. From our office on Oak Street we represent people hurt across Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. The case review is free, and there’s no fee unless we recover.
The insurer starts on your claim before the tow truck leaves
We’re sorry this happened. A crash on I-95, JTB or Blanding turns a normal day into repair estimates, doctor’s visits and calls from adjusters, often while you’re in pain. Meanwhile, the insurance companies are already building their case.
The recorded statement
A friendly call to “get your side.” Anything you say about speed, what you saw or how you feel can be used to cut your claim.
The fault fight
Every point of blame the insurer pins on you lowers what it pays. Without early evidence, it’s your word against theirs.
The quick lowball offer
A fast check, before you know whether you’ll need an MRI, physical therapy or surgery.
What waiting can cost you
The 14-day window
Miss it, and your PIP may not cover your treatment at all.
The two-year deadline
Most Florida crash claims must be filed within two years, or the claim can be lost.
Over 50% at fault
If the insurer makes that stick, Florida law bars your recovery.
PIP runs out fast
$10,000 covers a few visits and scans. Surgery and therapy can cost far more.
The insurance company has a team. Now you do too.
Get my free case reviewFlorida law, in plain words
Who pays after a Jacksonville car crash
Florida’s no-fault law means your own insurance pays first, no matter who caused the crash. It also limits when you can claim pain and suffering. Here’s how the coverage usually stacks up after a crash in Northeast Florida.
Your PIP pays first
Personal injury protection covers 80% of reasonable medical bills and 60% of lost income, up to $10,000, as long as you get care within 14 days.
The at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage
It pays for medical bills beyond PIP, lost wages and pain and suffering, once your injury meets Florida’s permanent-injury threshold.
Your uninsured motorist coverage
Many Florida drivers carry little or no bodily injury coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can make up the difference.
Military and out-of-state policies
With NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Kings Bay nearby, the other driver may be insured in another state. We find out which policy applies and how.
Shared fault
Your recovery drops by your share of the fault, and if you’re found more than 50% at fault, it’s gone. That’s why we lock down the evidence early.
PIP medical window
14 days
Get checked by a doctor within 14 days of the crash, or your PIP may pay nothing for your injuries. Pain that shows up later still counts if you go in time.
Jacksonville car accident attorneys
Where Jacksonville crashes happen
Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the continental U.S., so most people drive long distances on interstates, bridges and busy arterials every day. We go after the evidence that settles who caused the crash: the report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office or the Florida Highway Patrol, traffic camera and dashcam video, and witnesses.
I-95, I-295 and the bridges
Heavy merges at the Fuller Warren, the Buckman and the I-95/I-10 interchange downtown lead to rear-end and lane-change crashes, especially at rush hour.
JTB, Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard
Fast commuter roads toward the Beaches with frequent lights and turning traffic. T-bone and left-turn crashes here often come down to who had the light.
Port and freight traffic
JAXPORT and the distribution centers along I-10 and I-295 put big trucks beside commuters. A crash with a commercial truck brings extra insurance and extra evidence.
Orange Park and the Beaches
Blanding Boulevard and US 17 in Clay County, and A1A and Third Street in Jacksonville Beach, see crowded weekend traffic. We handle crashes in both.
What you can recover after a Jacksonville crash
PIP covers only part of your medical bills and lost pay. When another driver is at fault, a claim against their insurance, or your own uninsured motorist coverage, can cover the rest. We wait until your doctors know what your recovery will cost before we make a demand.
- Medical bills PIP didn’t cover, now and in the future
- Lost wages, and lost earning power if you can’t do the same work
- Pain, suffering and the life you couldn’t live while healing
- Your car repaired or replaced, plus a rental while you wait
- Scarring, disfigurement and permanent limits on what you can do
- For families after a fatal crash: funeral costs, lost support and lost companionship
Free checklist
After a Florida crash: the first 14 days
Not ready to call? That’s okay. This checklist covers what to do now so you don’t lose benefits you’re owed.
- The doctor visit that protects your PIP benefits (the 14-day window)
- The photos and records to collect right away
- What not to say to the other driver’s insurer
No sign-up. Check it off on your phone, or print it for your glovebox.
Proof, not promises
Real people, real results
Sunshine by the numbers
- Recovered in auto accident cases
- $3M+
- 255+ Google reviews
- 5.0
- Florida offices
- 3
Every case is different. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome.
“This year I had gotten into a car accident and was not at fault. I suffered some injuries from the crash but didn't know how to go about the process of being compensated for it. Thankfully, I was able to find help through Sunshine State. This company was extremely communicative throughout the entire way, took care of me, and were very efficient. I'm very thankful for them and highly recommend.”
Three simple steps
Your Jacksonville car accident case, in three steps
- 1
Tell us what happened
A free call with an attorney, in English or Spanish. We’ll explain your PIP, your deadlines and what your claim may involve.
- 2
We take over the insurance companies
We notify every insurer, get the crash report, video and medical records, and handle the calls, so no one pressures you for a recorded statement.
- 3
You heal, we push for a fair recovery
When your treatment is clear, we send a demand and negotiate hard. If the insurer won’t be fair, we’re ready to file at the Duval County Courthouse.
Where you end up: back to your life on the First Coast
Before
- Overwhelmed and in pain
- Alone against the insurance company
- Treated like a claim number
With Sunshine
- Informed at every step
- Protected by a team that fights for you
- Back on your feet
The right doctors
Treatment close to home that actually helps you heal, with second opinions when they matter.
Bills and lost wages recovered
Medical bills covered and the paychecks you missed made up.
Your car repaired or replaced
A fair value for your vehicle, and a rental while you wait.
Peace of mind
No more calls from adjusters. You always know what’s next.
Every case is different. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome.
Our promise
We treat your case as if it were our own.
What it costs, and why Sunshine
Car accident attorneys who answer your calls
After a crash in Jacksonville, most people end up fighting the insurance company alone. Sunshine State Law Firm takes on that fight from our Riverside office and keeps you informed every step of the way, so you can heal and get back on the road. Attorney Darius Biddings, who grew up in Jacksonville, is part of the team. No fee unless we recover for you.
- No fee unless we recover for you. The percentage is in writing before you sign, along with the Statement of Client’s Rights Florida requires.
- You’ll always know who’s handling your case, with updates by text, email and phone.
- Hablamos español, from the first call to the final check.
- No question is a dumb question. We explain every step in plain words.
Car accident guides
Car accident mistakes that can hurt your Florida claim
The car accident mistakes that most often hurt Florida injury claims, from skipping the doctor to recorded statements, and what to do instead.
Read the guide
Questions to ask a car accident witness, and why they matter
The questions to ask a car accident witness at the scene, how to ask them without pressure, and why a good witness can protect your Florida claim.
Read the guide
How much to expect from a car accident settlement
How much to expect from a car accident settlement in Florida: the damages you can claim, what drives the value, and why no honest lawyer quotes an average.
Read the guide
Statewide
Serving clients across all of Florida
Our offices are in Winter Park, Tampa and Jacksonville, and we take cases from the Panhandle to Miami. Most clients never need to visit: we meet by phone or video, or come to your home or hospital bed.
- Orlando631 S Orlando Ave., Suite 400
Winter Park, FL 32789 - Tampa2502 N Rocky Point Dr., Suite 920
Tampa, FL 33607 - Jacksonville1534 Oak St., Suite 302
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Also serving
- Kissimmee
- Daytona Beach
- St. Petersburg
- Sarasota
- Fort Myers
- Naples
- Tallahassee
- Miami
- Fort Lauderdale
- West Palm Beach
Jacksonville car accident questions we hear every day
No question is a dumb question. Here are the ones we hear most.
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee: our fee is a percentage of what we recover, and you owe no attorney’s fee if we don’t recover. The percentage and how case costs are handled are in a written agreement you see before you sign.
Yes. Our Jacksonville office represents people hurt in car accidents across Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties, including Orange Park, Fleming Island, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville Beach and Fernandina Beach. We can meet at the office, by video or at your home.
Your own PIP pays first, covering 80% of reasonable medical bills up to $10,000, as long as you get treatment within 14 days. After that, health insurance, MedPay, the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and your uninsured motorist coverage can each play a part.
How medical bills are paid after a crashUsually in the county where the crash happened or where the at-fault driver lives. Duval, Clay and Nassau cases go to the Fourth Judicial Circuit, with Duval cases at the courthouse on West Adams Street. St. Johns County cases go to the Seventh Circuit in St. Augustine. Most claims settle without a trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go to court.
For crashes since March 24, 2023, Florida generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. The 14-day window to start treatment for PIP comes much sooner, and claims involving a government vehicle, like a JTA bus, have their own notice rules.
Florida injury deadlines, explainedYes, as long as you’re not found more than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your share of the fault. Your own PIP still pays regardless of fault.
Can I collect if I was at fault?Tell us your story. We’ll take it from here.
A free, personal conversation with an attorney. No pressure, no fee unless we recover for you.
Hablamos español · Consulta gratis