Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyer
Chances are, we will be involved in some sort of motor vehicle collision insurance claim once every 18 years of driving, according to a car insurance industry study cited by Forbes. And, that is only taking into account claims filed from an accident, meaning that the millions of drivers out on the roads who get in accidents and who do not have insurance are not taken into account in that statistic. In reality, that number could be much worse. Here in Jacksonville, the odds may be even more stacked against our favor due to the high density environment in which we drive, and the increasing population of the area. In most collisions, there is at least one party that is negligent for causing the wreck and will be held liable for paying damages to the other party to help pay for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other expenses incurred from their injuries and property damage. However, to receive that payment, the injured victim will need an experienced Jacksonville car accident lawyer at their side every step of the way to thwart the other driver’s insurance company’s denials and low offers to settle out of court. An aggressive lawyer with extensive knowledge in car accidents will help get you the full compensation that you deserve. We serve clients in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Broward County & Miami-Dade County.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fatal crashes in the year of 2013 cost the U.S. $44 billion in medical expenses and lost wages. In Florida, that number is just over $3 billion. However, that only takes into account those crashes that resulted in deaths, and it also does not factor in the individual financial burden on a family that has been victim to a serious injury. According to data compiled by the ISO, a Verisk Analytics company, in 2013 the average auto collision property damage claim was $3,231 and the average auto collision bodily injury claim was $15,443. Medical bills can easily add up to tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in a very short time. They can expand over the years as injuries turn into chronic aches and pains that require frequent visits to the doctor, costly prescription medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and lost wages that go along with such a prolonged recovery period. Many serious injuries never fully heal, such as torn ligaments, back injuries, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries, which makes acquiring the maximum amount of damages available is vital. You never know just how long or just how life-changing your injuries may be, contact our aggressive Jacksonville car accident lawyers today.
Steps To Take After a Jacksonville Car Accident
If you are severely injured after a car collision, you won’t be able to gather any evidence at the scene of the crash. However, if you are able to, after the authorities have been contacted, take pictures, exchange information with the other party, and gather witness contact information. Next, call an experienced Jacksonville car accident lawyer at 1-844-200-0000 today at The Pendas Law Firm to discuss your legal options for compensation.
What To Do After a Jacksonville Auto Accident
Virtually every type of vehicular crash is on the rise in Florida these days. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle annual report, traffic crashes increased from 316,943 in 2013 to 344,170 in 2014, representing an increase of 8.59 percent. There was also a 6.68 percent increase in crashes that resulted injuries and a 5.04 percent increase in fatal crashes. These numbers represent a troubling trend in our state as the population continues to grow. As more people move to Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, traffic will increase and driving will only become more hectic. Not only are roads more congested these days, but the number of drivers behaving erratically has increased as well. Cell phone use, both texting and talking, is one of the most prevalent causes of traffic collisions. Alcohol is another large contributing factor, and took the lives of 849 Florida drivers, passenger, pedestrians, and cyclists in 2014, which equates to 34 percent of all traffic fatalities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Florida is unfortunately well above the national average in terms of traffic fatalities. Whether you or a family member were injured by a driver that was drunk, on their phone, or just in a rush, it is imperative that you contact an experienced traffic collision lawyer at once to begin building the case to prove that their high level of negligence was the cause of your injuries. All road users owe one another a duty to act with care, and by operating their vehicle in any manner that unnecessarily puts others at harm, they are violating that obligation. Contact an experienced Jacksonville car accident lawyer at The Pendas Law Firm today; we have offices in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale & Miami.
Initial Steps to Take After a Jacksonville Car Accident
If you are seriously injured, the chances of you being able to take photos and gather witness testimony may be incredibly limited. In that case, it is best to remain calm and wait for the paramedics and police to arrive. Hiring a competent lawyer that you trust will help set your mind at ease in the following weeks and months that it takes to gather evidence and build your case. However, if you are able to take any of the following steps immediately after the collision, you may be able to jumpstart the process by accumulating vital evidence at the scene.
- Check that you and your passengers are safe and uninjured. Do not move a seriously injured person if the environment that they are in is stable enough to wait for medical help;
- Check on the occupants of the other vehicle;
- Take photographs of the scene;
- Move the vehicles off the road if necessary and put up a reflective triangle or road flares if you have them;
- Write down the contact information, make and model of car, license plate number, and insurance of the driver;
- Gather the contact information and statements of any witnesses that saw the crash take place;
- Wait for the authorities to arrive. Do not engage in a debate about the crash with the other driver or let them bargain with you to settle outside of insurance; and
- When you are back at home, contact your insurance company about the crash.
Contact our Experienced Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyers Today
Finally, you should contact the best lawyer at once to discuss your legal options for being compensated for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage. Our Pendas Law Firm Jacksonville car accident lawyers can be reached today at 1-844-200-0000.
