Traffic collisions are a consistent hazard in our lives, though most drivers seldom acknowledge this reality on their way to work or the grocery store. Possibly because of this denial, Florida roads are unsafe and filled with distracted and impatient drivers on cell phones and speeding through intersections to beat yellow and red lights. This self centered attitude results in serious injuries and deaths, and as our society becomes increasingly self centered or narcissistic, according to researchers, careless, reckless, and aggressive driving collisions will continue to rise according to The Guardian and Psychology Today. If you were injured in any type of car crash, the Stuart car accident lawyers at Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. are here to help you recover damages to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Damages in a Florida Car Wreck
- Medical bills;
- Future medical expenses including physical therapy;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress;
- Lost wages;
- Lost earning capacity due to disability;
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement; and
- Property damage.
Why Getting Fair Compensation is So Difficult in Florida Traffic Collisions
Florida has very lenient laws in place for negligent drivers. The only barrier to legally drive is a $10,000 property damage liability policy and a $10,0000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy, which only pays for the policy holder’s own injuries and partial wage replacement. As such, your own PIP insurance will cover some of your damages, but the other party’s insurance may not cover anything if they only have this bare minimum no-fault insurance. For real compensation, you need to file a personal injury claim with the other party’s insurance company and pursue the policy limits if your injuries are severe.
Comparative Negligence in Florida Personal Injury Cases
One of the first steps and most important aspects of any traffic injury case is determining fault, also called negligence. The negligent party, whether that party is a truck driver or commuter on their way to work, and that party’s insurance carrier, will almost certainly deny fault, or at least downplay their degree of fault. Under Florida’s comparative negligence laws, an at-fault party can reduce their liability by showing that the victim contributed to the accident. As such, your compensation could be reduced by the degree you are found at fault. If the other party is able to show that you were 20 percent at fault for speeding, even though you were T-boned at an intersection by the other party, your compensation would be reduced by that amount of liability—20 percent. Because of this, our experienced car collision attorneys will gather evidence, work with law enforcement and investigators, and use witness and expert witness testimony to limit your liability or to prove that you were not at all negligent in causing your injuries and that sole liability lies with the other party. Reducing or erasing liability will allow you to take home 100 percent of the compensation that you deserve.
Call a Stuart Car Collision Lawyer Today
Victims of car collisions deserve substantial, fair compensation for their damages. Our Stuart car accident lawyers at Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. are here to help you accomplish that. Call 772-905-8692 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today.
