Florida Auto Accidents
Driving is part of the American experience. Teenagers can’t wait to turn 16 so they can pass a driver’s test and hit the open road. But it can be dangerous on the highways and streets of Florida. Each year, Florida has over 200,000 accidents that involve over 350,000 drivers, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Annually, roughly 3,000 people are killed on Florida’s roads and approximately 125,000 people suffer injuries. While there are a variety of causes of motor vehicle accidents, roughly 20,000 accidents are alcohol-related, resulting in over 1,000 deaths.
Can I Receive Compensation If I Am Involved In A Florida Car Accident?
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning the state does not place blame after an accident. This is done to reduce insurance rates. Each vehicle in Florida carries a Personal Injury Protection policy or PIP. The driver and passengers file a claim for economic losses and medical expenses with the insurance policy of the car they were in at the time of the accident. As there is a time limit and the paperwork can be complicated, you should consult an experienced Florida personal injury attorney if you plan to file a Personal Injury Protection claim.
Am I Entitled To More Than A Personal Injury Protection Claim?
Yes, but it depends. First, you must have suffered serious bodily injury. The state defines serious bodily injury as "an injury to any person, including the driver, which consists of a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ." But the court also takes the "common sense" rule when defining serious bodily injury. So, even if the injury is not described in the statute, the court could still consider it a qualifying serious injury.
Also, a person must prove the other driver operated the vehicle negligently. The obvious one for this is drinking and driving, but it could also be running a red light, not properly maintaining a vehicle or texting while driving.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured In A Car Accident?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a Florida motor vehicle accident, you should immediately consult an experienced Florida personal injury attorney. James O. Cunningham has been a personal injury for over 30 years and has helped numerous people who have been injured in an auto accident receive the compensation they deserve. For a free initial consultation, call the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).
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