ABOUT US
Florida personal injury attorney Steve Charpentier is an active member of the law community in Brevard County. Mr. Charpentier has been involved in numerous organizations such as the Brevard Bar Foundation, which is a charitable foundation that contributes to both legal and social needs of Brevard County citizens.
Brevard County Car Accident Attorneys
Injured in a Car Accident in Brevard County? We Fight for Maximum Compensation.
A serious car accident can upend your life in an instant. Medical bills pile up, you may be unable to work, and insurance companies are already working to minimize what they pay you. In the chaos that follows a crash, having an experienced attorney in your corner makes all the difference.
At Charpentier Law Firm, P.A., we have been representing car accident victims in Brevard County since 1981. We know Florida’s roads, we know Florida’s laws, and we know how to build the case that gets our clients the full compensation they deserve. And when your case demands it, we bring the resources of The Maher Law Firm — one of Florida’s most respected personal injury practices with over $12 billion recovered for clients statewide.
If you were injured in a car accident in Melbourne, Titusville, Cocoa, or anywhere in Brevard County, call us today for a free consultation: 321-308-8020.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Car Accident
Florida is a no-fault insurance state — meaning your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. But PIP only covers up to $10,000, and serious accidents quickly exceed that limit. To pursue full compensation from the at-fault driver, you must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold.
This is where having an attorney matters enormously. Insurance adjusters are skilled at minimizing claims. They may contact you within hours of the accident, offer a quick settlement, and pressure you to sign away your rights before you even know the full extent of your injuries. Our job is to make sure that does not happen — and that you recover every dollar you are entitled to.
Our Practice Areas Include
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Brevard County
Brevard County’s mix of coastal highways, urban intersections, and heavy tourist traffic creates dangerous conditions year-round. Common causes of serious car accidents in our area include:
– Distracted driving — texting, phone use, and inattention
– Speeding and aggressive driving
– Drunk or impaired driving
– Running red lights and stop signs
– Improper lane changes and merging
– Tailgating and rear-end collisions
– Fatigued driving
– Failure to yield
– Poor road conditions or inadequate signage
– Defective vehicle parts or tire blowouts
High-Risk Roads and Intersections in Brevard County
Some of Brevard County’s most dangerous corridors include US-1 running through Melbourne and Titusville, State Road 528 (the Beachline Expressway), I-95 through the county, US-192 near the Osceola County line, and A1A along the barrier island. If your accident occurred on any of these roads — or anywhere else in Brevard County — we can help.
Common Injuries in Brevard County Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries — from minor to permanently disabling. The most serious injuries often do not fully reveal themselves until days or weeks after the crash, which is why immediate medical attention is critical even if you feel okay at the scene. Common car accident injuries include:
– Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
– Herniated and bulging discs
– Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
– Spinal cord injury and paralysis
– Broken bones and fractures
– Internal bleeding and organ damage
– Knee, shoulder, and joint injuries
– Facial injuries and scarring
– Burns
– Wrongful death
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Florida?
Once your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver. Recoverable damages may include:
– Medical expenses — past and future
– Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
– Pain and suffering
– Emotional distress
– Permanent disability or disfigurement
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– Property damage
– Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
In cases involving drunk driving, extreme recklessness, or intentional misconduct, Florida law may also allow punitive damages — additional compensation designed to punish the at-fault party beyond your actual losses.
Florida Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
No-Fault Insurance and PIP
Florida requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. After an accident, your own PIP pays 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to that limit — regardless of fault. To pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold defined under Florida Statute §627.737.
Serious Injury Threshold
Florida’s serious injury threshold requires that your injuries involve significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether your injuries meet this threshold and advise you on your full range of options.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Florida Statute §768.81. If you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering anything at all. Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame onto victims to reduce payouts — having an attorney protects you from this tactic.
Statute of Limitations
Florida gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Florida Statute §95.11. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation permanently. Do not wait to consult an attorney.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Brevard County
1. Call 911 — report the accident and get medical help to the scene
2. Stay at the scene — leaving is a criminal offense in Florida
3. Document everything — photograph all vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and signage
4. Exchange information — get the other driver’s insurance, license, and contact details
5. Get witness information — names and phone numbers
6. Seek medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine
7. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company without an attorney
8. Call Charpentier Law Firm — 321-308-8020 — for a free consultation
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Accident Claims in Brevard County
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance contacts me?
Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that minimizes your claim. A quick settlement offer made in the days after an accident is almost never in your best interest — your full injury picture may not yet be known.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida?
Two years from the date of the accident under Florida Statute §95.11. This deadline is firm — missing it means losing your right to compensation entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible, even if you are still treating for your injuries.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
You may still be able to recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 25% at fault and your damages are $200,000, you would recover $150,000.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured?
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage may provide compensation. We can help you evaluate all available sources of recovery — including your own policy.
How much is my car accident case worth?
Every case is different. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, long-term care needs, and the degree of the other driver’s negligence. We evaluate every case thoroughly and fight for the maximum compensation available under Florida law.
Do I have to go to court?
Most car accident cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury — which is why insurance companies take our clients’ claims seriously and negotiate fair settlements.
What does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. There is no financial risk to getting your case reviewed.
Call Charpentier Law Firm Today — Free Car Accident Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Brevard County, do not wait. Florida’s deadlines are strict and insurance companies move fast. We will review your case at no cost and no obligation — and we only get paid if we win.
📱 Stephen’s direct cell: 321-258-8448
📧 steve@brevardlawyer.com
Serving Melbourne, Titusville, Cocoa, and all of Brevard County, Florida.
Backed by The Maher Law Firm's 50 Years of Florida Trial Experience
Charpentier Law Firm is affiliated with The Maher Law Firm — one of Florida's most respected personal injury practices with over $12 billion recovered for clients statewide. When you work with us in Brevard County, you have the backing of a full legal team with the resources to take on any case, no matter how complex.