The aftermath of a car wreck in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, can leave victims struggling. Accidents are likely to cause serious too often life-altering injuries, leaving victims with soaring medical costs and the inability to work. The emotional pain and suffering, as well as property damage after a crash, are also costly.
Car accident lawyers in Fort Walton Beach are ready to come alongside victims and help them understand their rights and the claims process. If you are considering filing a claim after an accident, having skilled legal help on your side will make the process go much more smoothly.
Following a car accident, getting back to normal can be a monumental task. Florin|Roebig is here to help. Whether you are the injured party or the surviving family member after a fatal crash, you may be eligible for compensation, but first, you need to understand your rights.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Fort Walton Beach
Car accidents in Fort Walton Beach have a number of potential causes. Poor driving behavior of other drivers, problems with the vehicle, and even problems with the road can all lead to a crash. When the accident is not the injured party’s fault, they may be due compensation.
Some common reasons for car accidents in Fort Walton Beach include:
- driving impaired by drugs or alcohol
- speeding motorists
- violating traffic laws
- driving on poorly maintained roads
- malfunctioning traffic signs
- distracted driving
- problems with the vehicle
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
You may have many reasons to consider pursuing legal action after a car accident. Car accident claims in Fort Walton Beach can be intimidating, so keeping your reasons for filing in mind can help you stay focused on the process ahead.
A common reason to file a claim is because of serious injury or property damage. You may need financial help to overcome these obstacles.
In addition, you may seek a claim to:
- hold an at-fault driver responsible for their actions
- get financial help to make up for lost income
- seek punitive damages for negligence that resulted in your injury
- replace or repair damaged property
- receive compensation for the emotional trauma the accident caused
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
Many factors weigh in a car accident claim in Fort Walton Beach, and each of these potentially impacts how valuable your claim is and how likely you are to succeed. Talking to a team of car accident lawyers in Fort Walton Beach will help you understand these factors and how they impact your claim process.
Some of the factors considered in your claim will include:
Degree Of Fault
In Florida, which is a comparative fault state, both parties in a car accident can share the fault for the accident. The degree of fault that is your responsibility will impact the value of your claim. Here’s how this works.
After a car accident, the primary at-fault driver and the injury victim will split the degree of fault. If you are eligible to file a claim, the percentage of fault you share in the accident lessens your total amount of compensation. So, if you are 20 percent at fault, you will only receive 80 percent of the total compensation amount.
Negligence
Negligence, those behaviors or actions that led to the accident and resulting injuries or damages, are often the cause of car accidents. Negligence is not necessarily intentional, but it still creates fault in a car accident. Under the comparative fault rule, both parties can share negligence in a car accident case.
Examples of negligence in car accidents would include texting while driving, driving while tired or otherwise distracted, or driving with a vehicle that is in poor repair.
Injuries
The severity and extent of your injuries after a car accident directly impacts your claim. Injuries that lead to life-altering changes, such as paralysis, require more compensation than less serious injuries, such as a broken bone.
If you or someone you love is severely injured as the result of a car accident, working with a team of car accident attorneys who can help is critical. Your attorneys will help you weigh the extent of your injuries to seek fair and just compensation. They will also help you consider all of the additional factors, such as the impact on your life or income, that require consideration in light of your accident.
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How Much Compensation Can You Win?
The amount of compensation awarded after a car accident depends on the factors influencing the claim. Working with car accident lawyers in Fort Walton Beach will help ensure you get a fair and just amount of compensation. The more extensive your injuries or property damage in the case, the higher the compensation will likely be.
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Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
Damages refer to the losses experienced after an accident, whether they are tangible or intangible.
In a car accident claim in Fort Walton Beach, some common types of damages include:
- medical bills and expenses, both current and projected for the future
- property damage
- mental anguish
- punitive damages
- loss of income
- loss of companionship
- wrongful death
Car Accident Rates In Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is a small city residing in the Florida Panhandle. It’s famous for its clear beaches with water that stretch to Okaloosa island. As of 2019, the population is 22,084. Like other parts of Florida, Okaloosa County can have its fair share of unsafe driving conditions. Fort Walton Beach experienced these traffic accidents in 2020:
- 3,075 total accidents this year, including automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.
- 1,828 people reported injuries after their accident. This number has also risen since 2020.
- Of these accidents, 45 resulted in death.
- Of these accidents, 4 were the results of alcohol and/or drug consumption.
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows that between the ages of 16 and 20 accounted for the highest number of motor vehicle accidents in Fort Walton Beach, with a total of 230 crashes occurring.
Fort Walton Beach Worst Intersections
All roads can contain hazards that make things difficult for even the most experienced driver. While no roads can guarantee 100% safety, there are roads in Okaloosa County that Fort Walton Beach residents should proceed with caution. Be sure to obey any and all traffic laws. These are Fort Walton Beach’s worse intersections.
- Anchors Street and Eglin Parkway: This intersection has a high accident rate because it’s too congested and traffic often travels too fast. There are frequent left turns and lane changes that can cause serious accidents.
- Beal Parkway and Ross Avenue: This intersection has a large amount of traffic during peak hours due to its location near Eglin Air Force Base and beaches. Additionally, the traffic lights are delayed and do not stay green long enough for traffic to move safely.
- Highland Boulevard and Eglin Parkway: This intersection is extremely busy because of its location near many businesses and tourist attractions. This causes a lot of congestion, leading to frequent rear-end collisions, lane changes, and near misses. Additionally, traffic lights are often too long and unreliable, leading to confusion and unsafe driving.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Fort Walton Beach
Getting fair and just compensation for a car accident requires the help of a dedicated team of car accident lawyers. Florin|Roebig has a dedicated team of personal injury attorneys who serve the entire state, including Fort Walton Beach.
For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America.”
You can get help from one of these attentive professionals as you go through the claims process:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chad Florin B.C.S.
- John J. Hart
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Finding Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation. Florin|Roebig has a team of car accident attorneys standing by to help. Don’t wait to start your claim, because your injuries, damage, and loss deserve the maximum compensation allowed by law.
Our team gladly serves the Fort Walton Beach, Florida region and beyond. We will help you understand your options, file your injury claim, and get through the claims process with clear help and guidance.
You are not alone in the days ahead. Contact us today to get a confidential and free consultation with a top-rated car accident injury attorney team.