Auto Accidents
Accidents involving cars and other moving vehicles are among the most significant causes of injuries in this country. Automobile accidents result in hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of thousands of deaths every year.
The law entitles people who have suffered injuries or who have lost loved ones due to another driver’s negligence or illegal activity to receive compensation for their losses. An experienced Broward County car accident lawyer from Goldman & Daszkal can help assess your damages, determine who should be held liable, and fight to protect your rights.
Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving vehicle collisions and crashes cause enormous damage to people and property every year in the United States.
According to the National Safety Council, 38,800 motor vehicle accidents resulted in fatalities nationwide in 2019. Accidents involving two or more automobiles are common, but they may also involve other vehicles, such as motorcycles, large commercial trucks, boats, and recreational vehicles.
Liability of Driver
Legal claims for damage related to an automobile accident usually rely on the concept of negligence. To prove negligence, an injured person and his or her lawyer must be able to show four things:
- The other driver owed a duty of care to the injured person.
- The driver breached that duty.
- This breach caused the accident.
- The injured person suffered real damage or harm because of the accident.
In the case of an automobile accident, all drivers owe a duty of care to other drivers and people using the roadways—they’re all responsible for driving safely and carefully. Any action or lack of action (such as taking one’s eyes off the road) that causes an accident is a breach of the duty of safe driving. A driver who commits an illegal act, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, has also breached that duty and may also be subject to Punitive Damages.
An injured person, in conjunction with their Florida accident attorney, must prove that the accident directly caused their injuries or other damages. This may include medical costs related to broken bones and other injuries directly sustained in the accident itself. It can also include lost wages because of work missed for medical treatment, losses for mental or psychological effects of the accident, and damages for the injured person’s “pain and suffering” and loss of the enjoyment of life. This last category is known as “non-economic damages” and is meant to compensate a person, beyond their out-of-pocket expenses and lost wages, for any reduction in their quality of life because of the accident.
Our lawyers will closely examine your case, focusing in particular on your injuries and your future needs. The goal of any case involving a claim for damages after an accident is to make you whole, or to put you as close to the position you would have been in had the accident never happened. The legal team of Goldman & Daszkal will develop a customized approach to your case that prioritizes your specific needs and goals.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida and When to Contact a Florida Accident Attorney
Being involved in a car accident is unnerving. You’re likely going to be shaken and upset from the experience, not to mention suffering from potential injuries.
Additionally, your body will start releasing adrenaline into your bloodstream, causing you to go into overdrive to help you handle the situation. Unfortunately, this can also cloud your thinking. If you can, keep a written list of steps to take after a car accident printed in your car or the notes app of your smartphone.
What you should do in the event of an accident:
- Get to a safe place. If your car is drivable, get to the side of the road or a nearby parking lot where you can assess the damage and collect information from the other driver.
- Stay calm. Take a few deep breaths to help clear your mind and recenter yourself so you can handle the documentation and next steps that lie ahead for you.
- Call 9-1-1. The police will review the accident scene and help document which driver is at fault. It’s not required that you have a police report to file a personal injury lawsuit, but it can help your case.
- Assess yourself. Check for any large gashes or broken bones before you start moving about the accident scene. If your physical injuries seem minor, get out of the car to assess your car’s damage and document the scene.
- Take photos of your car’s damage, any road conditions related to the accident, or the intersection where it took place. Do this only if it is safe for you to take such photos.
- Request insurance information for the other driver. Do not speculate on the accident or assume fault for any reason. Avoid the topic of what happened leading up to the accident to preserve your right to sue later. Everything you say at this point could be used against you.
- Hire a Florida accident attorney. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the better it is for the future of your case.
- Contact your insurance company to make them aware of the accident. IIf you can, have your lawyer be present for this conversation. The other driver might file a claim against your insurance, so you’ll want them to have your side of the story as well.
The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in Florida
From the moment you initiate a relationship with a car accident attorney in Florida, your attorney will go to work for you.
They’ll protect your rights and ensure you never get trapped in questioning with the at-fault party or their insurance company. Here’s an overview of the role your car accident attorney plays in your case:
- Handle all communication with outside parties, either alone or in collaboration with you.
- Build a strong case for your personal injury lawsuit to give you the best possible chance of receiving compensation.
- File all required documents to open your lawsuit and manage the ongoing documentation required as the case progresses.
- Negotiate a settlement that’s fair and provides appropriate compensation for your injuries and the troubling experience you’ve been through.
- If a settlement cannot be negotiated, the attorney will proceed forward to litigate your case, including but not limited to hiring experts, filing necessary documents, and arguing motions to give you the best chance of success at trial.