How Common Are Car Crashes?
Sadly, car crashes are a common occurrence in Florida. It’s estimated that there are around 400,000 reported traffic accidents each year. Of these, many will be minor, with both drivers walking away unharmed. However, more than 250,000 people were injured because of a car crash. Unfortunately, 3,000 people die as a result of a car crash in Florida each year.
Sadly, Florida has one of the highest rates of car accidents in the United States. There are a few reasons why there are so many crashes. The leading cause is speeding. Not following traffic signs and texting while driving are common contributors. Also, people driving under the influence might be partly responsible for the rise in car crash rates.
What Are The Impacts Of Car Crashes?
There are many impacts that can result from being involved in a car crash. First, you might have some physical injuries. In some cases, this might be relatively minor like bruising. In other cases, though it will be more serious. For example, you might receive broken bones or whiplash. In the most severe cases, there is the risk that you will receive spinal or brain damage. This can have lifelong impacts, leaving you disabled. Sadly, car accidents can result in the death of the driver, passenger, or passerby. Even when traveling at a low speed, there is a high risk that you might end up getting injured because of a crash.
Car accidents can also result in several mental health impacts. The way that being involved in a car crash can impact people can vary. However, depression and anxiety might happen after some accidents. In other cases, the shock of the crash can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unlike physical wounds, mental health conditions can take a lot longer to treat effectively. It might be months, or years before the mental impacts of the crash can be overcome.
What Should You Do After A Car Crash?
Once you’ve had a crash, there are a few important things that you need to do. If you weren’t too seriously hurt, you should take pictures of the scene of the crash. Make sure to capture any damage to your car and where the crash occurred. Preferably this should be done before you move the car away. This will give more context about why the crash might have occurred.
The next thing that you will want to do is get the details of the other driver. This includes things like their name, address, and phone number. You should also swap insurance details. It’s important to talk to anyone who might have witnessed the accident. This could be other drivers or people walking along the side of the road. If it happened outside a business, you can ask if they caught the crash on their security cameras. Gathering this evidence will ensure that you have a strong case, as your lawyer will be able to clearly show you were not at fault for the crash.
The next thing that you should do is go to the doctor. After a crash, it’s common for people to report that they didn’t receive any serious injuries. However, this might not be true. Often, the adrenaline released during the crash will be masking any injuries caused by the accident. Because of this, it’s a good idea to go have a check-up with your doctor. They will be able to give you a thorough assessment and make sure that you weren’t injured. If you did get hurt, the sooner you get treated the better the chances of making a full recovery. Keep any documents that the doctor provides you. This could be valuable evidence.
Should You Settle With The Other Driver?
It can often be tempting to consider settling the case with the other driver. However, this is a bad idea. If they back out of the agreement, you’ll be left to pay for the damage. If you try to take the case to court it will be a lot harder to win, especially if you already provided a false report to your insurance company. Because of this, it’s advisable to let your lawyer and insurance company deal with the fallout from the crash.
What Damages Can You Claim For After A Car Crash?
There are multiple damages that you might be able to claim after a car crash. First, you might be able to claim for any property damage. This can include the costs you needed to pay to have your vehicle repaired.
You will also be able to claim for any medical costs that you incurred. Because of this, you should keep any medical bills that your doctor provided. This will help your lawyer prove that the injuries you are claiming for were caused by the crash. It will also be a record of how much you paid. If your treatment will last for several months, or years, your lawyer will need to estimate how much you will expect to spend. To do this, they will need to consult with medical experts.
You might also be able to claim for any pain or suffering you endured as part of the crash. This covers the mental health distress that you might have experienced. For example, if you needed to get treatment for depression or PTSD, you might be able to claim for the costs of the therapy sessions. Any scarring or deformities that you received can be included in your claim. How much this pain and suffering is worth is a lot more subjective. You will need a good Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to help you come to the right valuation.
Finally, you will be able to claim for any lost wages that you experienced as a result of the crash. This can also extend to people who lost their job or will no longer be able to work. It should be noted that there isn’t a cap to the amount of compensatory damages you will be able to claim after a car crash.
How PIP Insurance Works
Florida is a no-fault state. As a result, there is a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance system in place. This could impact how you will be able to receive compensation for your damages. The PIP system means that each driver is required to have their own personal insurance policy. So, when a crash occurs, they will file a claim with their own insurance company. This means that even if you caused the car accident, you will still be able to get some compensation.
The PIP policy means that 80 percent of your medical bills will be covered. 60 percent of the lost wages and hospitalization costs will be covered. However, there are limits to how much your insurance will pay. This means that if you were left seriously injured, you might not have enough money. In this case, you’ll be able to go after the at-fault driver in a court of law. To do this, you’ll need to get an excellent car accident attorney to help you put together a strong case.
Statute Of Limitations After A Car Crash
Once you have a car crash you have a limited window to file for damages. If you don’t file in time, you might not be able to make a claim. If you were injured in a car crash, you’ll have four years to file. If someone you know died in a car accident, you’ll have two years to file for damages.
However, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. This will ensure that they will have enough time to prepare a strong case. It also ensures that they will be able to negotiate, to see if they can deliver an acceptable out-of-court settlement.
What To Look For When Choosing A Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney?
Getting the right car accident attorney can be critical. They will play a huge role in determining how likely you are to get the compensation you deserve. When looking for an attorney, you want to try and find someone with a lot of experience in car accident law. You will also want to make sure that your Fort Lauderdale car accident injury attorney has a strong track record of winning cases and getting great results for their clients.
Because of this, many people choose The Injury Firm to represent them. We have a strong connection to Broward County and have a detailed understanding of the Florida legal system. At our law firm, we put our clients first. We’ll make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve, even if it means going to court. So, call us today to book a free consultation, where we will look over your case and discuss your legal options.
