Auto accidents happen to even the best of drivers. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Traffic Safety (FLHSMV) report from 2018 reported a daily total of 1,106 average daily accidents. For victims of these crashes, the aftermath of an auto accident can be simply traumatic. Lost wages, expensive medical bills, and mental anguish are common experiences for car accident victims.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, you deserve to be able to focus on healing without worrying about covering mounting expenses. If your accident was the result of another driver’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation. A Winter Park speeding accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will review your case for free, outline your legal rights, and act as your advocate. Call 1-800-747-3733 to schedule a free consultation.
The Consequences of Speeding
Some drivers see speed limit regulations as suggestions and underestimate the horrific consequences of speeding-related accidents. Speeding has consistently ranked as the cause of approximately one-third of all automobile accident fatalities for the past 20 years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
For the purpose of auto accident claims, negligence can include everything from drunk driving to speeding. In the state of Florida, speeding includes both a failure to adhere to stated speed limits and a failure to adjust your speed to accommodate weather and road conditions.
Speeding leaves drivers and those on the road with them at an increased risk of losing control of the car, reduced effectiveness of seatbelts and airbags, an increase in the required stopping distance, and more severe injuries and vehicle damages. If you’ve been injured in a speeding-related accident, there are a few things you need to do immediately.
Steps to Take After an Accident
- Gather Information: Collect insurance and vehicle information from the other driver and gather eyewitness accounts.
- Document: Take photos or draw pictures of any injuries, vehicle damage, and property damage.
- Seek Medical Attention: Regardless of whether you have suffered visible injuries or believe your injuries to be minor in nature, see a doctor. Not only can doctors diagnose hidden injuries, but a doctor visit will also prove crucial when filing a claim.
- Track Expenses: Save your medical bills, receipts from medications and medical devices, documentation of missed days of work, and any other proof of accident-related expenses.
If speeding caused an accident that has left you injured or caused the premature death of a loved one, you have legal rights and the time to act is now. Review Florida state laws and consult an attorney to discuss your next steps.
Florida’s “No-Fault” Law and Personal Injury Claims
Florida, unlike a number of other states, operates under a no-fault law. Essentially, as stated in Florida Statutes §627.730, this means that every driver is required to be insured and each driver is required to turn to their own personal insurance to cover any accident-related damages—regardless of who is to blame for the collision. Victims injured by an uninsured driver can file for the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that generally is included within their own policy.
In order for a driver to sue the other party’s insurance for damages, Florida Statutes §627.737(2) states that they must be able to prove a loss that would result in permanent disability, severe disfigurement, or death.
Florida statute of limitations is strict, and victims must act quickly if they plan on filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Additionally, victims are only given two weeks from the date of the accident to seek medical attention.
If you are able to prove negligence and have sought the appropriately documented medical attention, you may be able to claim damages that cover:
- Medical Expense: Past, present, and future medical expenses that can include primary care and emergency room visits, costs of medication, rehabilitation expenses.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity (Current or Projected): These can include current lost wages and predicted changes in earning capacity so long as they can be directly attributed to accident-related injuries.
- Emotional Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering can include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish, and more.
- Funeral and Burial Expenses: For accidents resulting in fatalities, damages can include the cost of burying a loved one, the loss of a companionship you’re suffering, and the loss of income for dependents of the victim.
A Winter Park speeding accident lawyer will familiarize themselves with your case, advise you on the best route to take, and review any settlement offers you receive to ensure you’re being offered a fair settlement that adequately covers your losses.
Consider a Winter Park Speeding Accident Lawyer
If you are living with the consequences of someone else’s negligence, you have rights and deserve to stand up for yourself. A Winter Park attorney can help.
If you have been injured in a preventable car accident—or if you have lost a loved one in an accident—the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are committed to acting as your advocate. We do not get paid for our responsive legal care until you do. Call 1-800-747-3733 to schedule a free consultation and get started on the path towards justice.
We Can Help.
