Millions of motor vehicle accidents occur throughout the United States annually, and Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of collisions. According to 2018 data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), more than 400,000 accidents took place in the state.
In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted their National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS) and found that in 94% of the cases researchers studied, driver error caused the accidents. Although most traffic collisions are preventable, thousands per year occur in Leon County alone. In 2018, nearly 7,400 accidents in the county led to over 4,000 injuries.
Because of their susceptibility to fracture under force, car accident victims often suffer one or more broken ribs. If the negligence of another driver led to the Leon County collision that led to your injuries, a Tallahassee broken ribs lawyer can help you determine if you can pursue legal action against the liable party. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 to speak with our legal team about your case.
Complications of Broken Ribs
Their curved structure and open, circular nature make ribs more vulnerable than many other bones in the body, and they are therefore prone to many different types of fractures. Car accident victims often suffer one or more broken ribs, as the thin layer of the outer bone breaks easily on impact. Research suggests that there may be a link between the number of broken ribs and the severity of the victim’s injuries, as ribs can puncture the internal organs they typically protect.
Symptoms of rib fractures typically include pain or tenderness, and older people have a higher risk of suffering broken ribs in car accidents. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the complications that can occur as a result of broken ribs include:
- Tearing or puncturing of a major blood vessel
- Punctured or collapsed lung
- Lacerations to the liver, spleen, or kidneys
Broken ribs often take several weeks to heal, and if they cause complications, victims may expect a much longer recovery time. While you take time to heal, our lawyer can provide responsive legal care to help you recover financially.
Understanding Your Rights Under Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law
Under Florida Statutes §627.730 – 627.7405, known as the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, all Florida drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) as part of their auto insurance policies. This type of coverage provides for the driver’s damages in the event of an accident, regardless of who caused it.
In some cases, such as when the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance, drivers benefit from no-fault policies, but they also limit their ability to file lawsuits against the liable party. However, if your losses exceed your insurance policy limits, you may still be able to file a claim against the driver or their insurance company for additional damages. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine any time at 1-800-747-3733 to talk to our legal team about your case.
What a Tallahassee Broken Ribs Lawyer Can Do to Help You
As the victim of a car accident caused by another driver, you may have the opportunity to hold the driver accountable for your injuries. However, especially in no-fault states like Florida, it can be difficult to determine if you have a case and what your options are for moving forward with a lawsuit. You may also be struggling with physical and financial distress, and you should not have to worry about managing your case by yourself, too. We go the extra mile so that you can take the time you need to recover while we fight for your case.
Determining the Types of Evidence That May Help Your Case
In many cases, a Tallahassee broken ribs lawyer will investigate your case, document your account of the collision and the days that followed, and then gather evidence that can help prove the fault of the other driver. Depending on your circumstances, evidence that may help your case include:
- Police reports
- Photos and video footage from the scene of the accident
- Proof of your injuries
- Medical records
- Eyewitness and expert testimonies
- Records of cell phone use at the time of the accident
- Sobriety tests
This evidence can help your lawyer prove the negligence of the at-fault driver, which establishes their liability for the injuries you suffered in the accident.
Handling All Correspondence with the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often make it difficult to obtain adequate financial awards for your injuries, even for their own policyholders. Their practices reflect their primary goal of earning as much profit as possible, so they regularly take advantage of claimants to avoid sufficient payouts.
Victims may not realize their schemes, and upon accepting partial blame for the accident or an up-front cash settlement, discover that it does not fully cover their losses. Lawyers can help by assessing the value of your damages and managing negotiations with the insurance adjusters on your behalf to help you achieve a fair settlement amount.
You May Qualify for Compensation in Your Tallahassee Car Accident Case
Broken ribs and the complications that often follow may leave you out of work and unable to support yourself and your family. If your insurance does not cover all of the losses you incurred as a result of the accident, you may have the opportunity to pursue one or more types of financial awards, which may include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Our lawyers can help you determine how much your damages are worth and seek just compensation for you.
Contact Us to Start on Your Car Accident Claim
For many car accident victims, dealing with the physical pain of broken ribs is just part of the recovery process. If you need help regaining financial stability after your Tallahassee collision, the lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can manage your case and assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve. You worry about getting better. We will take care of everything else. Contact our legal team today at 1-800-747-3733 for your free case evaluation.
We Can Help.
