Not all drivers take the responsibility of keeping others safe as seriously as they should. If you were in an accident caused by another person’s unsafe actions, you could be entitled to financial damages for your losses.
If you find yourself injured or have lost a loved one, a personal injury lawyer in Green Cove Springs, FL can help you build a legal case for damages.
There Are Many Forms of Negligence
A driver may act in any number of ways that are dangerous and increase the risk of injury to themselves and others. There are many ways that a liable motorist may have contributed to or caused your accident, including:
- Speeding
- Failing to yield at a stop sign
- Failing to stop at a red light
- Changing lanes abruptly
- Tailgating
- Driving while drunk or on drugs
- Texting or making a phone call while driving
- Fiddling with the car’s entertainment system
- Crossing multiple lanes of traffic
- Failing to signal
The scenarios mentioned above are just a few actions that may make a motorist liable for a car accident. You may be entitled to damages if the liable motorist in your accident engaged in these or any number of other reckless acts leading up to the accident. If they did, a car accident lawyer in Green Cove Springs, FL on our team can help you prove it in court.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help in Your Pursuit of Damages
If you are recovering from serious injuries and/or grieving a loved one’s sudden death, allow our team to handle the responsibility of pursuing damages on your behalf. Our team provides responsive legal care by:
- Collecting all evidence of the accident and the circumstances that caused it, including but not limited to video, photographs, and police reports
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and documenting accounts that may prove the liable driver caused the accident through dangerous actions
- Obtaining documentation of your injuries for use at trial
- Calculating your total losses so that we may lobby for compensation at trial or in settlement negotiations
- Handling the legal aspects of your case from beginning to end
- Ensuring that your rights are protected
We aim to prove that the defendant is responsible for the losses you incurred as a result of the accident. If the negligent party violated their duty of care to protect others from an unreasonable risk of harm, we may be able to pursue compensation.
How Much do Car Accident Lawyers Cost?
The ultimate cost of legal representation may depend on many factors, including:
- How long it takes to settle your case
- How complicated your case is
- How much work we have to put into your case
We understand that you may be struggling financially, especially if you have suffered extensive injuries and are unable to work. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can work to reduce your expenses by:
- Charging nothing for the initial evaluation
- Visiting you at your home instead of making you come to our office
- Charging no attorney’s fees upfront – and only collecting if we win
- Taking our attorney’s fee out of your compensation, not your pocket
Damages You May Be Entitled to in a Car Accident Claim
If we reach a settlement or receive a jury award, you may be entitled to damages covering:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages due to your injuries
- Diminished earning capacity due to your injuries
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Pain and suffering from the trauma of the accident
- Reduced quality of life from being unable to live independently or enjoy favorite activities
- Physical and intellectual disabilities
- Disfiguring marks or scars
If you lost a loved one and bring a successful wrongful death claim, additional damages may include:
- Funeral costs
- Compensation for loss of companionship and guidance
- Compensation for the deceased’s future wages
- Any damages your loved one never got the chance to recover for themselves
What Is Comparative Fault?
Comparative fault is a way of measuring how much responsibility each of the involved parties holds for an accident. Consider these examples:
- Driver A stopped at a stop sign as legally required. Driver B was not paying attention, did not stop, and rear-ended Driver A. Driver B is 100 percent responsible for the resulting injuries.
- Driver A stopped at a stop sign but was not wearing a seatbelt. Driver A was injured when Driver B rear-ended them, but A’s injuries were worsened by the fact that they did not have a seatbelt on. Drivers A and B share responsibility for the injuries.
- Driver A and Driver B both ran through stop signs and collided in the intersection. Drivers A and B share responsibility, and in this case, Driver A’s share of responsibility is much greater than in the previous example.
Note: If the courts deem you partially at fault for the car accident, you can still collect damages, according to Florida Statutes § 768.81. However, your payout diminishes as your percentage of responsibility increases, so it is important to collect compelling evidence that demonstrates your innocence.
Comparative liability is different from having multiple liable parties. If we find that both a driver and an auto part manufacturer contributed to your accident, you can sue them both.
Preserving Your Right to Car Accident Damages
As soon as the accident happens, there are actions you can take to protect and preserve your right to compensation. These include:
- Seeking immediate medical care, no matter how minor your injuries may seem to you, as this can confirm the nature of your injuries and connect them to the accident
- Having a qualified mechanic assess and evaluate the damage done to your vehicle
- Not responding to any communications from the liable party or their insurance company – they may take anything you say and use it against you to reduce your settlement
- Speaking to our team as soon as possible to learn more about your options for collecting compensation
- Saving all paperwork related to the crash, including the liable party’s contact information, bills, receipts, pay stubs, and so on
You should always prioritize your own health and safety following a car accident. After seeking appropriate medical care, you can get in touch with us to explore your legal options.
Do Not Wait to Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Green Cove Springs, FL
Personal injury claims in Florida are generally subject to a statute of limitations of four years from the date of the accident, while wrongful death claims are generally subject to a two-year window. There are exceptions to these statutes, so call us regardless of the time since your accident. The sooner you call a car accident lawyer in Green Cove Springs, FL, the sooner you may be able to collect damages.
Call our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today to discuss your case.
We Can Help.
