Florida Car Accident Lawyers

Where Do Car Accidents Occur in Florida?

Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the country for car drivers, which is why it’s important for you to have a Florida Car Accident Lawyer on your side. Here, accidents occur at an alarming rate. From local state roads to busy freeways and highways, Florida drivers are more likely to get into a serious and fatal car accident than most other states.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), more than 3,000 people die in car-related traffic accidents every year in Florida, and 212,000 suffer injuries. Drunk driving and distracted driving top the list of Florida car accident causes. While these accidents occur on virtually every road in every county, some counties are more dangerous than others:

• According to one study, Bay County, Orange County, Monroe County, and Okaloosa County have the most distracted drivers
• Orlando is one of the most dangerous cities, with 30,000 car accidents every year
• Residents in Hollywood, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, have a 15% risk of being in a car accident. It is the third most dangerous city to drive in Florida.
• Hialeah is the second most dangerous city to drive in Florida, with the likelihood of getting into a car accident topping 26%.
• Fort Lauderdale is the most dangerous city to drive in Florida due to its increase in tourism and partying beachgoers.

Did you know that six out of the 10 most dangerous highways in America are located in Florida? Other dangerous roads and intersections include:

• I-75
• I-4
• Alton Road and Dade Boulevard
• Pines Boulevard and South Flamingo Road
• A1A and Las Olas
• Northeast 2nd Avenue and 36th Street

Reported Car Accidents Involving Injuries in Florida

Source: www.flhsmv.gov/

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 833-552-7274

Florida Car Accident Attorneys Can Get You Fair Compensation

Calling some Florida car crashes an “accident” is a bit misleading. An accident implies that there is no at fault driver in the collision. But if a person could have avoided a car crash injury with proper consideration and care for others, then it’s not an accident. 

Many injury lawyers call these “car accidents,” and you will hear us call them that—it’s a part of English vernacular. But if a person is driving while drunk, or texting and driving, or if a car company knows their seat belts are defective, is the car accident an accident, or could it have been prevented?

Even worse, when your injuries result in serious impairment, disfigurement, or pain and suffering, you may find that this accident has completely wrecked your entire life–and future. You can face unimaginable struggles and crippling medical expenses in the blink of an eye. 

This is why it’s essential to hire an experienced Florida car crash attorney who can help you get the compensation you need for your car accident injury.

For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Florida, call 833-552-7274

Damages in a Florida Automobile Accident

Accident injury victims incur many losses directly from the car accident, particularly medical expenses. With the rising medical care costs, treating any type of injury can get expensive. Even a moderately insignificant injury can require a trip to the emergency department, medication, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, follow-up visits, and more.

Catastrophic injuries, like those to the neck and back or even the brain, may require hospitalization, surgeries, or even long-term care or assistance. Having skilled attorneys who will consider all of your past and future medical bills will ensure you seek the total amount of financial recovery for your injuries.

Lost Income

Many injuries can keep you out of work for a while or may even prevent you from ever returning to your previous job. When you’re saddled with medical bills and personal expenses, losing a day’s wages can hurt your finances.

You deserve compensation for lost income if you have to miss work due to injuries or medical treatments. In addition, if your injuries are permanent and cause impairments that force you to stop working or seek a lower-paying job, you may recover compensation for future lost earning ability.

Property Damage

Car repairs can cost a lot of money. You deserve compensation for vehicle repair costs and diminished value after another party causes your car to crash. 

Certain damage types can significantly decrease a car’s value. Therefore, you deserve compensation for that lost worth from the insurance carriers of any drivers who caused the crash.

Getting Compensation for Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering are difficult to define, explain, and even more challenging to prove in court. However, the basic idea is simple. In general, during a Florida car accident claim, you are being compensated for damages like medical bills and future wages. 

These are easily calculated by adding up the cost of the bills and by doing some simple math for the lost wages. However, this is not all that people suffer during a car accident. Due to their injuries, some people go through excruciating pain, may never be able to pick up their grandchildren again, or might not ever walk again. 

Getting compensated in Florida for pain and suffering is accomplished through the overall negligence claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is where your attorney will divide your damages into economic damages (like medical bills, lost wages, etc.) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, etc.).

Two Types of Pain and Suffering

As your attorney begins to build your case, they will evaluate your specific experience of pain and suffering based on what you tell your attorney and anything you have to document. At this time, it’s worth understanding that there are two types of pain and suffering: physical and mental.

• Physical pain and suffering refer to the physical pain you experienced during recovery, during surgery, while in rehab, and any physical pain you will be in for the rest of your life.
• Mental pain and suffering refer to the emotional anguish, or emotional trauma, you suffered from your car accident (like PTSD), along with things like any fear and depression you sustained after the wreck. For example, mental pain and suffering are where you would categorize something like the lost privilege of picking up your grandchild. It can cause you to suffer a loss of enjoyment of life.

Pain and suffering are often more difficult to pursue than more tangible issues like medical bills. But it is not impossible by any means. One just needs to explain to the jury (or during negotiations) in a convincing way how the car accident has affected the victim and caused them pain and suffering. But, of course, it also helps to have evidence, like a psychiatric exam to prove your emotional distress.

Recovering Full Compensation After Your Florida Car Accident

Recovering compensation for automobile accident-related losses can be complex in Florida because the law sets out different requirements depending on your situation. For example, some forms of monetary recovery following a crash include:

A negligent driver’s insurance: If other parties caused your wreck, you might hold their insurance company liable for damage to your vehicle and any medical expenses exceeding your PIP coverage.

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance: Florida law mandates that drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to cover their medical costs, lost income, and other qualified expenses up to a certain amount, whether or not they caused the accident.
• An auto accident lawsuit: If your injuries are severe, you may have the right to seek compensation through the civil court system by filing a car accident claim against the liable party.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we know how to investigate and gather evidence after an accident. We will skillfully negotiate for the total compensation you deserve with either your PIP insurer or another driver’s insurer or, if necessary, in court. 

We will always explore every option for you to receive the maximum settlement amount in your case.

We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win

When a firm says that they don’t collect any fees unless they win, they mean that they will be working on what is known as a contingency fee basis. Most attorneys who do not work in the personal injury industry charge their clients based on the time and labor of the attorneys and their staff. 

However, a personal injury attorney charges based on how much they recover for their client in a settlement or court. This means that no money is required upfront for the attorney to take the case, and the client will not have to pay anything until their case is over.

Dolman Law Group does not require clients to pay anything upfront, opting instead to deduct fees and expenses from the final settlement. This cost depends on whether your case is settled out of court in negotiations or if it requires a trial to get you compensation. The latter is more time and labor-intensive, so the fees are slightly higher.

Some of the fees that you can expect to pay once your case is settled include court filing fees, expert witness fees, and the cost of obtaining your medical records.

The Florida legal team at Dolman Law Group will always explain to our clients exactly how they will be billed and how that payment will affect their recovery amount. 

It is vital that you understand what expenses and fees you will incur and how these are applied to your case, so if you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to ask.

What Caused Your Florida Auto Accident?

In cases involving serious injuries, the injured party in a Florida motorist accident can go beyond their own no-fault type of insurance coverage and seek monetary damages from the at fault party’s insurance policy. They can also recover it directly from the defendant by filing an automobile accident lawsuit. In either situation, you must prove that the party was liable for causing the accident to prevail on a claim.

Determining liability in any type of accident can be more complicated than you may think. For example, few accidents will result in a driver stumbling out of their car and apologizing for causing a crash because they were drunk. While liability may be that obvious in a few cases, most situations will require significantly more work to identify what caused the accident.

At the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we regularly initiate investigations into the cause of vehicle accidents to identify when our clients have the right to take additional legal action. 

These investigations can require extensive resources and may involve the review of many records, surveillance video, witness interviews, and the analysis of an accident reconstruction expert. We have access to the tools and resources needed to determine whether someone else may be held liable for your crash.

Common Florida Car Accident Causes that You Can Sue For

The following are some common types and causes of automobile accidents that Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA has successfully handled:

Distracted Driving

Despite rules against texting and driving in Florida, distracted driving continues to be a significant problem on the roadways, and the problem is only growing. While drivers may claim to know the risks of distracted driving, they continue to engage in activities that take their eyes or minds off the road. 

Most people do not realize how dangerous distracted driving can be until it is too late, and they have caused serious car or truck accidents with extensive damages and injuries.

Drunk Driving

Similarly, every driver should fully recognize how life-threatening a drunk driving accident can be. Still, police continually arrest drivers under the influence of alcohol, and they only catch a small percentage of the drunk drivers out on the roads. 

A drunk driver can continually crash into other vehicles and send innocent motorists to the hospital, sometimes causing permanent disabilities or even death. This could have been avoided by calling an Uber or finding a designated driver.

Aggressive Driving

No one likes traffic and, in this day and age, we all seem to be in a hurry. Unfortunately, even though the traffic in South Florida can be frustrating, some drivers allow their frustration and impatience to escalate into belligerent driving behaviors. Such behaviors can include weaving through traffic, tailgating, or intimidating other drivers to get out of the way. 

Some aggressive drivers even intentionally cause harm to others on the road. If you see an aggressive driver, always get out of their way. If you are injured by someone aggressive on the road, we can help you prove their legal liability and hold them accountable for their reckless driving and unnecessary actions.

Violating Traffic Laws

The Florida Traffic Code is extensive and sets out many road rules that you must learn to obtain a driver’s license. Even though there are lesser-known traffic laws, everyone driving should fully comprehend Florida safety regulations and always comply with these laws. 

Speeding, running traffic lights or stop signs, ignoring right-of-way rules, failing to yield, and many more violations can lead to serious accidents and injuries.

Auto Parts That are Defective

Sometimes, a driver will lose control of their car, and they can automatically be blamed for the accident, even though they were not at fault. For example, many drivers lose control because part of their vehicle unexpectedly malfunctioned. This can include brakes, tires, steering systems, airbags, and more.

When a defective auto part causes a crash, the companies that manufactured and sold that part should be considered the responsible parties and held accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, seeking compensation from a corporation is often significantly more challenging than an individual. 

Despite this, they have a legal duty to sell safe products. Having the right law firm on your side can help secure your rights and earn you the property damage claims you’re entitled to.

Road Hazards

We all know that the weather in Florida can wreak havoc on the roadways. State and local government agencies are generally responsible for the upkeep and repair of Florida roads unless the road is privately owned. 

If you suddenly hit a large crack, a pothole, or another severe hazard, you might lose control of your car and collide with other vehicles. In this case, the agency that neglected the road should be held liable. 

Since Florida law sets out particular procedures for any type of legal claim against the government, you need a collision lawyer experienced in handling the legal process in these cases.

The above are only some of the hundreds of possible causes of car accidents in Florida. Not only do you need to know what caused your crash, but you also need to have sufficient evidence to prove that a specific party was negligent. The evidence you can use to prove liability will differ from case to case. 

The Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, fully comprehends liability evidence and will take all the necessary time and resources to verify claims for each client.

Accident Injuries in Florida Car Crashes

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers PA, we help injured Florida car crash victims like you. Our law offices have successfully represented accident survivors who suffered from injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Disfigurement
• Internal organ damage

We work with your medical team to fully evaluate your injuries when seeking compensation. We want to know how your injuries will affect your life and your ability to get your life back on track. If you have a permanent disability, we want to be sure we collect the money you need to handle everything your future entails.

Should I Hire a Florida Car Attorney After a Minor Car Accident?

Even if you’re involved in an accident where there was minor damage to your vehicle, or you don’t feel like you’re in pain, you should still seek medical care and consult an attorney. 

Research has shown several types of injuries that people can sustain in minor car crashes don’t appear until days later. For example, you might get hit from the side, and you have no evident physical injury. You’re likely not hurt, right? Not every time. 

Many of us consider a bodily injury a laceration, a brain injury, or a broken bone. Wounds that affect us for a lifetime. We may dismiss stretched ligaments, bruising, or strained tendons as minor injuries. 

However, suppose your neck and body violently snapped forward and back. In that case, you will likely discover agonizing back pain in days due to whiplash or other injuries following your motor vehicle accident. 

Your body will produce adrenaline to protect itself, but this hormone will also mask your injury. Experienced lawyers will tell you to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible to ensure you don’t have hidden injuries.

Finally, if you can drive from the crash scene and decline to make an insurance claim or file a police accident report (or both), you may find it challenging to bring your personal injury claims in front of a judge. This is true even if you have a doctor or a healthcare professional on your team.

An experienced car accident attorney can look over your claim and help you get maximum compensation for your case. That way, you can avoid paying out of pocket expenses for your hospital bills and repair bills for any minor damage to your vehicle. 

Insurance Companies Are Looking Out for Their Own Bottom Line

Let’s say you file a police report because you think the fender bender is worse than it looks. You file a claim with your insurance carrier, and the other driver is considered to be at fault. Their insurance representative offers you a quick settlement, and you accept. 

You think this method comes with the least amount of hassle and will help you get your car fixed more quickly. However, the settlement amount may not be enough to cover the car repairs, and you may find out that you have whiplash.

Unfortunately, if you take an insurance settlement, you will likely sign away any future rights to compensation or legal action. It is common for accident victims to believe the insurance company has their best interest in mind; however, the insurance industry operates like any other business. It is looking out for its bottom line and will attempt to pay out as little money as possible.

Contact a Florida Auto Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

Aren’t sure if you need an experienced car accident lawyer? Don’t worry! We can meet with you in a FREE initial consultation and review to discuss your accident injury claim.

We want to get to know you better, so we can help you explore all your legal options. But, then, the legal path you take is up to you!

Our car crash attorneys never pressure our potential clients into filing an auto accident claim. Instead, we offer solid and valuable legal counsel to help them maximize the compensation they deserve. You owe it to yourself to protect your future and learn more about your legal options. 

Call our experienced team today or fill out our confidential contact form to learn more!

Our team of experienced and dedicated auto accident lawyers provides exemplary service throughout the United States. Office locations include:

• Clearwater
• St. Petersburg
• New Port Richey
• Bradenton
• Sarasota
• Tampa
• Aventura
• Boca Raton
• Doral
• Fort Lauderdale
• North Miami Beach
• Boston
• Brooklyn

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*The above information was written and reviewed by either Attorney Matthew Dolman or another injury lawyer at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA which has a combined 90 plus years of experience practicing Florida personal injury law. Matthew Dolman himself has been practicing personal injury law in Clearwater and St. Petersburg for the last fifteen (15) years. The information provided comes from extensive research and years of experience trying legal cases in courtrooms throughout Florida.

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