Auto Accidents
Auto Accidents
If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident in Florida, you are joining the ever-increasing number of victims of distracted, careless and many times reckless driving behaviors being exhibited on our streets today. Almost no one is immune of having to drive defensively due to all the traffic our roads and throughfares are experiencing. Even small towns and in and around major cities like Jacksonville, are seeing an increase of traffic activity and accidents.
As, one of the most popular states for visitors in the country, with our beautiful beaches, sunny warm climate and abundant tourist attractions, Florida is also becoming a move-in destination for people tired of high taxes and poor municipal decisions being made by many states around the nation. Consequently, with the increased number of new residents comes additional traffic being introduced to an already overwhelmed highway system, a formula for more accidents and injuries.
According to statistics recently released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Uniform Traffic Citation Report, there were 1,600,748 tickets issued to drivers in 2020 statewide. According to the departments preliminary data, in 2022, there are estimated to have been 381,156 vehicular accidents in Florida with 242,622 reported injuries and 3,292 fatalities. There are 17,855,250 individuals over the age of 17 which means they have a 1 in 45 chance of being involved in a vehicular accident this year and those numbers are decreasing as our population increases.
All too often, auto accidents, truck and semi-truck accidents, motorcycle and motor scooters collisions occur on our local roads resulting in injuries, many of which are severe and some result in tragic fatalities. Individuals injured in auto accidents may face life-altering injuries resulting in mental and physical anguish, pain and suffering, ongoing physical limitations, loss of their quality of life before the incident occurred, loss of income and financial hardship. For those who have suffered the ultimate sacrifice, death or dismemberment, their life as they knew it is over, leaving grief-stricken family members to pick up the pieces of a shattered life.
Victims of accidents. You are not alone. Since 1974, the lawyers at Terrell Hogan have been defending the rights of innocent victims and their families damaged in all types of automobile and vehicular accident, that was no their fault. We know you are overwhelmed by your current condition or of those you love, and we are here to help you through this difficult time recover the compensation you deserve. We have helped thousands of injured victims throughout the state, hold negligent parties and their insurance providers accountable. There are no fees or costs unless we recover monies for your injuries. Our lawyers are experienced trial attorneys who are skilled in negotiating the best possible settlements for our clients and are prepared to defend their rights in court, to fair and just compensation, if a settlement cannot be reached.
There are usually specific sets of circumstances that can lead to a car accident. Roadway conditions, weather, congested traffic, poor visibility, and work zones are among the external forces at work. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), individual driving behaviors by operators themselves are at fault for the majority of accidents. There are a whole host of infractions one could be charged with that contributed to causing an accident.
Poor and dangerous driving behaviors include:
Speeding and Reckless Driving account for the majority of accidents.
Improper lane changing, weaving in and out of traffic. This could include passing on the right on a two-lane road at excessive speeds.
Distracted Driving can include paying attention to occupants, eating, drinking, texting, cellular phone use, and not paying attention to changing road conditions. These behaviors are responsible for causing many crashes each year.
Driving while Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol accounts for a significant portion of accidents.
If you were injured in a car accident in which the other driver was charged with engaging in any of these types of risky driving behaviors or was deemed at fault, then you may be able to sue for damages. Liability in a Florida personal injury case is based on the concept of who is negligent for the accident.
In proving negligence, you have to be able to establish the four elements of negligence in most civil lawsuits.
The damages you suffer can be both economical and non-economical, meaning medical expenses, loss of wages and vehicle reimbursement, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
There is a provision under Florida where you might have been partially responsible, called “Comparative Fault” but can still seek damages. Section 768.81, Florida Statutes explains that in most negligence claims, partial fault does not preclude recovery of damages for injury. Instead, the amount of compensation for an injury is reduced in proportion to the amount of fault that can be attributed to the claimant.
You need to keep in mind that in Florida, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within four years from the date of the accident timeframe. For wrongful death claims the timeframe for filing is only two years.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced Jacksonville auto accident attorney who understands the aggravations that result from being involved in an auto accident, and who will work to minimize your frustrations while maximizing your chances for a favorable recovery, settlement, or award.
A person who carelessly operates a vehicle may be required to pay for resulting damages to persons and/or property. Individuals who operate any motor vehicle must exercise “reasonable care.” Failure to use reasonable care is the basis for most lawsuits pursued by a car accident attorney.
Wayne Hogan shares an alarming statistic about uninsured drivers and how to protect yourself.
If you or a passenger are involved in an automobile accident, your attention should turn to any injuries sustained and the immediate well-being of the victim(s).
Here are the basic steps you should take:
What Happens If the Other Party Is Not Insured?
Should the liable party not have sufficient insurance to cover these damages, a claim can be made against your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (“UM”) coverage under your own motor vehicle insurance if you have UM coverage. UM coverage is important.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you have the right to sue the at-fault driver for the compensation you deserve for your injuries. You are not required by law to have an attorney to do so, however, getting legal counsel and advice from an experienced auto accident attorney may increase your settlement amount. According to legal experts, claimants who hire an attorney to handle their personal injury case, receive up to 4 times the amount of compensation than handling the claim alone. A skilled and experienced litigator is adept at handling many different types of injury accident cases.
At the law offices of Terrell Hogan, our auto accident attorneys can answer your questions about the process of filing a Florida car accident lawsuit. We will also advise you on your best course of action and expertly manage your injury case, so you can focus on taking care of your family and yourself.
Specifically, we will:
Many victims and their loved ones are faced with devastating medical expenses or lost income, the recovery of which can only be obtained through a personal injury lawsuit with the assistance of a qualified automobile accident lawyer.
If you have been injured, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If treatment is delayed, the defendant may argue that it was not his negligent conduct that caused your injury, but rather something that occurred between the time of the accident and your visit to the doctor.
If you have been seriously injured in an automobile accident it may be important to contact an auto accident attorney who can help you protect your legal rights.
Terrell Hogan Jacksonville automobile accident attorneys will evaluate your case free of charge.
In addition, you will not pay any fees or costs unless your attorney recovers money for you by judgment or settlement.
To aid you if you are involved in an auto collision, we have created a checklist for you to print and keep with you in your glove box, the Auto Accident Brochure.
Contact us online or via phone at (904) 632-2424. Either way, we’re here to answer your questions, protect your legal rights, and ensure that you receive all the compensation you deserve.
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