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Car accidents are all too common an occurrence on Florida’s streets & highways. So many of these bad drivers carelessly violate the rules of the road with little to no regard for the real life harm & injuries they so needlessly inflict on others with their bad driving. And worse yet, we all know that some of them still drive when intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Car accidents are all too common an occurrence on Florida’s streets & highways. So many of these bad drivers carelessly violate the rules of the road with little to no regard for the real life harm & injuries they so needlessly inflict on others with their bad driving. And worse yet, we all know that some of them still drive when intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.If another driver acts negligently (meaning recklessly or carelessly) and causes an accident that injures you or a loved one, you have a right to seek compensation. The Eltringham Law Group is 100% committed to get you the MAXIMUM COMPENSATION & FULL JUSTICE you deserve. Reach out to our Florida car accident lawyers for help with your claim.
What are Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Car accidents in Florida happen for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the more common ones we see:
- Driving Distracted: We all know that in today’s plugged-in world, a variety of things can distract drivers when they are on the road. Cell phones and other onboard electronic devices are among the most common, but drivers can also get distracted by billboards, eating or drinking, or simply daydreaming behind the wheel. When drivers’ eyes are down (even for an instant) or they are not 100% focused on the road for any reason, it greatly increases the risk of a serious accident. In fact, we believe that the overwhelming majority of rear end collision cases we handle are due to some form of distracted driving.
- Driving Intoxicated: Despite the increased awareness of the dangers of driving intoxicated, many Florida drivers have no problem getting behind the wheel when they’ve had a few too many. While drinking and driving is a common issue, judgment may also be impaired due to marijuana, prescription drugs, and other illicit substances. The bottom line, with all the impaired & distracted drivers on Florida’s roadways, there has never been a more dangerous time to drive and the chances of you getting into a car accident are greater than ever.
Violating the rules of the road: Accidents often happen when a driver fails to brake or slow down for the vehicle in front of them, runs a red light or stop sign, tries to pass illegally, drives too fast (especially on wet roads), or fails to use the proper signals. - Road Obstructions: Road obstructions & construction zones are a common cause of accidents. Drivers may try to swerve around potholes and debris, resulting in a collision. Road obstructions may not be the fault of another driver but rather the city or a construction company that was working nearby. You may therefore be entitled to compensation from those entities.
- Vehicle Failure: Sometimes, vehicle equipment failure can cause an accident. For instance, the brakes or steering on a car can go out. When this occurs, the car manufacturer or mechanic may be liable for damages. Even in accidents that would otherwise be your fault but for the mechanical failure that was the real cause of the accident or crash.
What are Common Types of Car Accidents?
Many types of car accidents may occur on the road. These include:
- Rear-end Accidents: Rear-end accidents are quite common and often occur when the driver behind you is distracted or following too closely when traffic slows or stops.
- Head-on Collisions: These accidents are less common but can often be quite deadly or cause life threatening injuries. More often than not, they are the result of drunk/impaired driving or distracted driving.
- T-Bone Accidents: T-bone accidents happen when one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle. This type of accident most frequently occurs when the negligent/careless driver runs a red light, stop sign or some other traffic control device.
What are Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?
Several types of injuries may be sustained when a car accident occurs. They include:
- Disc herniations & bulging discs
- Shoulder & knee injuries
- Whiplash
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries, including concussions
- Brain Damage (often referred to as TBI)
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
What to Do Following a Car Accident
There are several steps you should take after a car accident occurs. What you do following a car accident can help you build a strong case. They include:
- Move your vehicle to safety: Perhaps the most important thing you can do after a car accident is move your damaged vehicle to a safer place like a highway shoulder or adjacent parking lot if you’re physically able & your car is still drivable.
- Call 911/the Police: It is critical to have local law enforcement come to the scene (even if you have to wait) and document the accident. This is still true for minor fender benders or if you do not think you’re really injured. Having a police report is absolutely essential for the future success of any car accident case. On the other hand, not having a police report can often severely prejudice & lower the potential value of your case.
- Take pictures: If you feel well enough & traffic conditions permit, we strongly recommend that you take pictures of ALL INVOLVED vehicles in the accident to document any damage.
- Get the contact info of everyone involved: Get the names, license plates, and insurance information of everyone involved in the accident (this is typically done by law enforcement at the scene).
- Get witness info: Get the name, phone number, and email of ALL uninvolved 3rd party witnesses on the scene. This is super important because we have had many past car accident cases where the witnesses are long gone by the time law enforcement arrive on scene. These neutral witnesses can often make or break your car accident case if the at-fault driver or their insurance company tries to wrongly blame the car accident on you.
- Get prompt medical attention: It’s vitally important to get prompt medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. Preferably, the same day as your accident!!! This is true even if you think your injuries weren’t that bad or you’re just a little sore. If you don’t see a medical professional right away and document your related injuries the insurance company will almost always try to falsely claim that you were not injured in the accident even though you clearly were. You should also be aware that failure to present for medical treatment within 14 days of a car accident will cause you to lose eligibility for medical payments coverage under the PIP no-fault portion of your own automobile insurance policy. Having this PIP coverage is a very important component of any successful car accident case otherwise you will get stuck with paying more medical bills than you otherwise would.
Do I Need a Lawyer in Florida for My Car Accident Claim?
You don’t always need a lawyer for a car accident claim if you’re not injured. However, it’s really good to have one on your side as soon as possible if you do get injured in a car accident. Insurance companies pray on and totally take advantage of car accident victims that go it alone without an experienced car accident lawyer. Often, when you report an accident in Florida potentially worth a lot of money, the insurance company will twist your words to make it seem like the accident was your fault, or they will try to give you as low a payout as possible because of things like your past medical history or falsely claiming that the “minimal” damage to your car could not have caused the injuries you’re claiming.
The fact is, national studies show that injured victims with car accident lawyers obtain average net settlements (the amount you take home after medical expenses, attorneys fees & costs) that are at least 3x higher than DYI car accident victims. But from what we see we think that number is probably much, much higher here in Florida–so whatever you do, DO NOT go it alone or you will pay dearly. Our Florida car accident lawyers have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies so you get every penny you’re entitled to under Florida car accident law, NEVER less!!!
How Can Florida Car Accident Attorneys Help Me Win My Case?
If you were involved in a car accident, you need reliable auto accident attorneys in Florida by your side. Your attorney will investigate the accident and gather evidence to build a strong case. We will negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you get a fair settlement. If an acceptable agreement can’t be reached, we’re capable of representing you in court.
The Eltringham Law Group has personal injury lawyers you can count on. We have extensive experience in representing personal injuries from car accidents. We will fight relentlessly for you or your loved one and the compensation that should be awarded.
If you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, don’t take it lying down. Get in touch with the Florida car accident lawyers at Eltringham Law Group today. We’ll pursue a favorable outcome for your case.
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of damages can I claim in a car accident?
The damages you claim will depend on your personal and professional situation. However, most victims can collect compensation for medical expenses (past & future), lost wages (past & future) and Non-Economic Damages which are personal damages for pain & suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, scarring, loss of consortium, and, perhaps most significantly, “Loss of Enjoyment of Life” to name a few.
What is the statute of limitations on a Florida car accident claim?
Florida has a four-year statute of limitations. This is a time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed by for most car accidents and related personal injuries. Once that time has passed you forever lose your right to receive compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
The statute of limitations clock starts ticking on the day the car accident occurred. But the reality is every single day that goes by after a car accident without hiring experienced car accident lawyers like Eltringham Law Group is a win for the insurance companies. Otherwise, they are going to do everything within their formidable power to pay you far less than your claim is really worth and will stop at nothing to get their way.
