What Types of Cases Do Florida Car Accident Lawyers Handle?
Our Florida accident lawyers assist individuals involved in car accidents, including collisions between two or more vehicles where the other driver(s) were negligent. According to the United States Department of Transportation, every 14 seconds, an auto accident and about 1,000 per day happen in Florida. Most of these accidents are preventable and are caused by someone's negligence or carelessness.
Negligence is a legal term that means one party involved in the car crash breached their duty of care to other drivers on the road. When negligence occurs, the negligent party is usually liable or responsible for any damages that result from it.
How Does Florida Comparative Negligence Law Work?![Florida Car Accident Lawyer]()
Florida's modified comparative negligence law follows the “50 Percent Bar Rule.” According to this rule, you can recover damages if your fault does not exceed 50 percent. If the courts determine that you are 50 percent or more to blame for the crash, you cannot recover any damages. However, your recovery will be proportionately reduced if your fault is less than 50%.
We handle the entire legal process for car accidents from start to finish. We aim to ensure you receive the most compensation to make you whole again after a car accident. Start with a free, no-risk consultation.
Common Types of Car Accidents
Rear End Collisions
Perhaps the most common car accident, and, fortunately, the one least likely to cause serious injuries. Often, other drivers will be distracted on the road by using a cell phone, fiddling with the radio, or otherwise being preoccupied with something other than the safe operation of their vehicle. Other times, a negligent driver may follow too closely, causing a collision when you stop at a stop light or slow down for traffic.
Sideswipe Collisions
As with rear-end collisions, a driver may be distracted when they enter your lane of traffic, and the cars end up brushing against one another, causing damage and loss of control of your vehicle, which can result in spinouts or forcing you into a ditch or lane divider. These types of car accidents are more often on the highways or interstates of Florida and often at very high speeds so that injuries can be severe.
“T-Bone” Collisions
Often occurs at stoplights, where, to “beat” a red light, a driver may enter the intersection, causing a front-to-side collision where the vehicles are perpendicular to one another (hence the “T” shape of the two cars). These collisions can be severe, as most vehicles are less reinforced on the sides, with mere inches of plastic between you and another car striking your door.
Head-on Collisions
This is the most terrifying and frequently damaging car accident, despite the many technological advances we've enjoyed, such as airbags, collapsing front fenders, and seatbelts. The speeds of each vehicle involved in a head-on collision are effectively doubled, causing massive damage to cars, SUVs, and their drivers and passengers.
Typical Injuries That Occur After Car Accidents
As a no-fault state, Florida drivers must have personal injury protection insurance (PIP), which ensures medical coverage for injuries regardless of who caused the accident. Anyone in an accident should always get checked out by a doctor and claim within two weeks to receive coverage for any injuries sustained in an accident.
However, it’s crucial to understand that while PIP provides valuable benefits, it might not cover all the expenses of a serious car accident. Suppose injuries surpass a certain threshold or other damages not covered by PIP. In that case, victims might need to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party to recover those additional costs.
Many common injuries can occur after a car accident, including:
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Bone fractures, including wrist, arm, and leg fractures.
- Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussion
- Spinal cord injuries
- Psychological trauma and anxiety
What to Do After a Florida Car Accident
- Report: Call the police to report the accident and exchange insurance information.
- Seek Medical Help: Even if you don't initially feel injured, seeking medical attention is advisable. Some injuries may not manifest immediately, and having a medical record is vital for insurance claims and potential legal action.
- Vehicle Photographs: Take photographs of the vehicle's damage.
- Injury Photographs: Take photographs of any visible injuries suffered in the crash.
- Documentation: Communicate to any police officers, EMS, or hospital staff that you are injured and specifically describe the nature of your injuries so it will be included in the Accident Report
- Legal Representation: As soon as possible, contact an experienced auto accident lawyer to advise you on your legal rights, and the accident can be investigated. Steps should be taken immediately to preserve evidence and identify witnesses.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Accident in Florida?
Williams Law, P.A. will investigate the facts surrounding your car accident and determine the extent of the damage. As experts in understanding Florida’s statutory caps, our accident lawyers can assess your losses and estimate what settlement amount should be paid for your injuries.
Economic damages, also known as special or tangible losses, refer to the measurable financial losses that a person incurs due to a car accident. These damages are generally objective and have a clear monetary value.
- Medical expenses: This includes reimbursement for past and future medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy.
- Lost wages: If the accident caused you to miss work or resulted in decreased earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
- Property damage: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing your vehicle or other damaged property.
Non-economic damages, or general or intangible losses, encompass the more subjective and non-monetary losses a person may experience due to the accident. These damages are often challenging to quantify precisely.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced because of the accident.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances resulting from the accident.
In many car accident settlements, economic and non-economic damages are considered to provide a comprehensive compensation package for the injured party. The goal is to fairly compensate the individual for the tangible financial losses incurred and the intangible human costs associated with the accident.
Proving Negligence and Liability After a Car Accident in Florida
In Florida, proving negligence in a car accident case involves demonstrating the critical elements of duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Florida follows a comparative negligence system, meaning damages may be apportioned based on each party's fault.
Determining who is financially responsible for your injuries and losses in your car accident case may be complicated. The other driver, the driver’s employer, a vehicle manufacturer, the local government, or another entity could be responsible or share responsibility.
To support a negligence claim, car accident lawyers typically gather evidence such as:
- Police reports: Reports may contain information about the accident, including any citations issued.
- Eyewitness statements: Testimony from individuals who witnessed the accident can provide valuable perspectives.
- Photographs and videos: Visual evidence of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and relevant road conditions can be compelling.
- Expert testimony: Accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals may provide specialized insight into the cause of the accident or the extent of injuries.
Why Hire Williams Law, P.A. After a Car Accident?
We understand you’re under financial pressure to recover from a Florida car accident; you’ll need a substantial settlement to cover all your expenses, including non-monetary damages like pain and suffering. That’s where our personal injury lawyers step in. We know how insurance companies work.
Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially when they are looking to minimize payouts. They often try to reduce their liabilities by shifting blame onto injured accident victims. We have over 28 years of experience ONLY representing clients vs. insurance companies in Florida. We won’t let them do this to you, especially after a car accident.
Have You Been Injured In A Florida Car Accident? Williams Law, P.A. Is Here To Help.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, speak with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Florida law office at 800.451.6786 to schedule your free consultation. We help Florida residents like you who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or other accident resulting in an injury. Remember, we work on a contingent basis, meaning you don't pay us anything until we win your case.
