Frequently Asked Questions – Coy H. Browning

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you likely have many questions that need to be answered. Victims of accidents are often unaware of their rights and where to turn for help. Below are some frequently asked questions about trucking, motorcycle, and car accidents, as well as information about the representation Browning Law Firm can provide.

What can I recover?

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, you may be entitled to compensation based on a number of different factors. The specific answer to this question, however, depends on factors particular to your case. If you’ve been injured through someone else’s negligence, Browning Law Firm may be able to help you obtain compensation for past and future medical bills and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. If you are entitled to compensation under the law, we will fight to make certain that you receive the compensation you deserve so that you can concentrate on your recovery.

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Can I be held responsible if I was rear-ended?

When another driver rear-ends your vehicle, they are virtually always held responsible. The rules of the road state that a driver should be able to stop safely if the car in front of them is forced to stop for any reason. When you come to a stop and the driver behind you rear-ends your vehicle, this means that the driver was either careless and was not paying attention to the road or was following too closely. If you are injured in this type of accident, Browning Law Firm will fight to see that you receive the compensation you deserve.

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Will I have to go to court to obtain compensation for my accident?

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company agrees to pay the amount your attorney believes to be appropriate compensation for your injuries, and you agree on that amount as well, then the case will be settled out of court. This happens in most situations. If the other driver’s insurance company offers compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering that you and your attorney believe is insufficient, the case will not be settled. If this happens, Browning Law Firm will dedicate themselves to fighting for you in court.

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Do I have a case if my memory conflicts with what I said at the time of the accident?

After victims have had time to reflect on the circumstances surrounding their motor vehicle accident and recover from their initial shock, it is very common for witnesses to recall the incident differently. Things happen very quickly after an accident, and witnesses can misunderstand what is said by the victim. If you now remember your motor vehicle accident differently than you did immediately after your accident, Coy H. Browning can research your accident and find support that will back up your statements or show how common miscommunications are under extraordinary circumstances.

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How should I choose my attorney?

It is the opinion of Coy H. Browning that the three most important criteria in choosing your attorney should be: experience, competence, and the comfort level you feel with your lawyer. This comfort will likely come only after you meet with a lawyer and speak with them about your case in depth. With the many attorneys that are advertising today, the question of who to hire can be overwhelming. That is why Mr. Browning tries to personally meet with each prospective new client from the very first contact, so that he is able to clearly present his thoughts on your case and explain how his legal experience can help you in your time of need.

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How soon after an accident should I contact an attorney?

The sooner you contact an attorney the better. When an attorney is contacted, he or she can begin the important work that is involved in representing your case. This work includes investigating and preserving evidence, ensuring you receive appropriate medical care, and helping you avoid the many pitfalls of dealing with an insurance company on your own. Attorneys work to protect your rights. If you are in need of a lawyer, it is imperative that you contact Coy H. Browning as soon as possible to discuss your case and prevent your rights from being compromised.

How much do you charge for your services?

There is no charge to speak with Coy H. Browning about your case. This gives you the opportunity to meet with Mr. Browning and determine if he is the best qualified attorney to represent your case, with no commitment whatsoever. If you then decide to hire Mr. Browning, he is usually retained on a one-third contingency fee basis. This means that you pay nothing unless you receive a monetary award. If you do receive an award, one-third is paid to cover your attorney fees. With Coy H. Browning, that percentage may vary depending on the nature of the case.

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After an automobile accident, what can I do to protect my interests?

  • Report the incident immediately to the police.
  • Witnesses should be identified by name, address, and telephone number.
  • If you require medical treatment, clearly explain, as best you can, how the accident happened. Also, be sure to give your doctors a truthful description of the accident and inform them of all prior related injuries.
  • You have no obligation to cooperate with the insurance company of the person who caused the accident. This includes recorded statements and other information about the accident.
  • If you have suffered any personal injury such as lacerations, burns, or bruising, it is important to take photos of them as well as the bandages or braces that were placed. This documentation is imperative in establishing your injuries.
  • Gather all insurance policies to be reviewed by an attorney in order to determine the full extent of your coverage.

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How long will my case take?

The answer to this question depends on the complexity of the case. After an accident, it is important to be sure the full extent of the injuries, recovery time, and future effects of the accident are understood before resolving a case. Typically, however, the average length of time for an automobile accident case is 6 to 12 months.

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What does MMI mean?

MMI stands for Maximum Medical Improvement. It is a medical term that means your injuries and condition have improved as much as they are expected to and no further improvement is likely.

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How much is my case worth?

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on many factors involved in your case. Some of these factors include:

  • How the accident occurred
  • Vehicle damage
  • Type and extent of your injuries
  • Amount of your past and future medial bills
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity

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Why is my insurance company involved if the accident was not my fault?

Florida is a “no fault” insurance state. This means that, no matter who was a fault for the accident, you are required by law to submit medical expenses to your own insurance company to be covered under your personal injury protection coverage. If your medical bills and lost wages exceed what is covered by your insurance, the at-fault driver or their insurance company is responsible for those costs as well as possible compensation for pain and suffering. In addition, your insurance company may be involved if the at-fault driver does not carry enough insurance and you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

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What is personal injury protection?

Personal injury protection, or PIP, is sometimes referred to as "no fault" insurance. This form of insurance covers you and those in your household for automobile accident injuries no matter who is at fault. Florida law requires all drivers have PIP coverage and, in the event of an automobile accident injury, this coverage is more important than any form of health insurance you may have.

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What should I do if an insurance adjuster wants to settle and says I don’t need a lawyer?

Research has shown that, even taking into consideration attorney’s fees, people receive larger claims when they obtain the service of a lawyer after an automobile accident. The main goal of an insurance adjuster is to settle a claim with the least amount of money possible. For this reason, it is extremely important to contact an attorney before settling an automobile accident claim with an insurance company.

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What is uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured or underinsured (UM) motorists coverage pays for your injuries when the person at fault for the accident has inadequate insurance to pay for your medical bills and other costs associated with your injury. UM coverage also applies if you are the victim of a hit and run driver. Usually limited to bodily injury, this type of insurance does not cover damage to your vehicle or other property. For this type of protection from uninsured or underinsured motorists, you must have collision coverage on your policy.

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What is covered by uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Most uninsured or underinsured (UM) motorist coverage will typically pay for the following:

  • Injuries to yourself or a relative who lives with you while in the vehicle with UM coverage, or any other vehicle, or while you are a pedestrian.
  • Injuries to anyone else driving your insured vehicle with permission.
  • Injuries to anyone else riding in your insured vehicle, or in another vehicle you are driving.

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What if I believe I may be partly at fault for the accident?

Many factors can play into a motor vehicle accident, and victims are sometimes not in the best position to determine who is at fault. Furthermore, just because a Police Officer determined you were at fault for an accident does not make it true. Most Police Officers are not experts in accident reconstruction and have not had any training in accident investigation beyond the basic course they receive in the police academy. If necessary and appropriate, we will hire an accident reconstruction expert to prove that the other party, and not our client, was at fault for the traffic accident. In addition, under Florida law, the trier of fact (the Judge or jury) can assign the percentage of fault to each party and the damages will be calculated accordingly. For example, if you have a car accident and you suffer $100,000 in damages and the defendant suffers no damages, and the jury determines that the defendant is 80 percent at fault and you are 20 percent at fault for the accident, then you would be awarded $80,000 (80% x $100,000).

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Contact Coy H. Browning

If you have any further questions, please contact Browning Law Firm today for a free consultation. This confidential meeting will allow us to understand the specific circumstances surrounding your case.

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Contact Us Today

For answers to specific questions pertaining to your case, contact Browning Law Firm for a free consultation.






Browning Law Firm, P.A.
418 Racetrack Rd NE, Ste B,
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547
Toll Free: 866.455.8165
Fax: 850.864.4381

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