In 2021, there were 9,818 auto accidents that resulted in injuries and 191 deaths as a result of crashes in Jacksonville, Florida. There are often lasting consequences for crash victims that can range from lost wages to extensive medical bills.
“The accident victims we see are dealing with extensive damages and simply want to reclaim their lives back. It’s our mission to make the process as easy as possible so they can do just that.”
To obtain fair compensation for accident injuries or property damage, you must file an insurance claim, which may require help from a quality lawyer. These claims are not always straightforward, and many insurance companies work hard to undermine the damages you experienced for a lower payout.
This isn’t fair to you and can make an already traumatizing situation that much more stressful. Luckily, the Florin|Roebig law firm has several experienced and board-certified Florida car accident lawyers ready to help.
Read on to learn about car accidents in Jacksonville, the importance of legal representation and your legal options, and how Florin|Roebig can support you throughout the entire claims process.
Why Are There So Many Car Accidents in Jacksonville?
In 2021, there were more than 24,000 car accidents in Duval County, where Jacksonville is located. Several factors contribute to high levels of automobile accidents, including traffic congestion, driver behavior, weather, population density, and road infrastructure.
High Population And Heavy Tourism
According to the last U.S. Census, Jacksonville has a population of more than 954,000. It’s also a widely visited or driven-through location because it is the first city you encounter on I-95 when visiting Florida.
According to The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville ranks in the top 10 for tourism destinations and saw 23.3 million visitors in 2021. With so many people, collisions are bound to happen, especially when drivers aren’t familiar with the Jacksonville road infrastructure and general traffic.
Weather Conditions
Another common cause of accidents in Jacksonville is inclement weather. Conditions such as rain, hail, and strong winds can impact a driver’s ability to maintain control of their vehicle while on the road.
Dangerous Intersections In Jacksonville
Due to dangerous roads and intersections, car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents often occur in Jacksonville.
According to News4Jax, the most dangerous intersection in Duval County is Beach Boulevard at St. Johns Bluff Road. This intersection and others like it are close to fast-growing Jacksonville areas, with new housing, construction, and shopping centers. This means they see high instances of heavy traffic, increasing the chances of car crashes in these areas.
The five most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville and Duval County include:
- Arlington Expressway and Merril Road: This intersection has a high traffic rate and is one of the city’s main north/south corridors. It has multiple high-speed lanes and intersecting roads, creating a high potential for accidents.
- Beach Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road: This intersection is highly populated, which increases the potential for accidents due to high traffic. The intersection has a large number of driveways that can make navigating difficult, and the stoplights at this intersection are often mismanaged.
- Southside Boulevard and Gate Parkway: These roads are notorious for speeding drivers, drivers who run red lights, and drivers who make improper turns. The sheer number of cars on the road at any given time has created a high potential for collisions.
- Blanding Boulevard and 103rd Street: This intersection has become synonymous with murder, death, and danger in Jacksonville. It is a very busy area with a high traffic rate, and drivers often speed or take risks to get around quickly.
- San Jose Boulevard and University Boulevard: This location is an often congested intersection where drivers make improper turns at the intersection.
Jacksonville Area Attractions
Jacksonville offers countless attractions–particularly sporting event centers–that see high levels of traffic. With more traffic comes an increased chance of auto accidents.
People may tailgate at area arenas, ballparks, or fields and drink and drive or they may use poor judgment after celebrating and drive under the influence. At times, in an attempt to leave a crowded stadium parking lot, they may run a red light or hit a pedestrian.
Some common locations that are known for high amounts of vehicular traffic include:
- 121 Financial Ballpark
- EverBank Field
- Hodges Stadium
- Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
- James P. Small Park
- Swisher Gymnasium
- TIAA Bank Field
Florida law regarding personal injury claims, including car accidents, involves the concept of comparative negligence. Some accidents may indeed be no one’s fault, while others may involve degrees of responsibility and fault. The car accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig are familiar with the complex causes of car accidents and how claims are awarded in Florida.
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
Most people file a car accident claim with an auto insurance company to seek compensation for damages like medical treatment expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death. In many cases, this is the only way a victim can get the repayment they need and deserve.
Florida’s personal injury laws specify that damages should be awarded using the concept of comparative negligence. Because of this, insurance companies, especially those of the at-fault party, may attempt to put blame or negligence on other drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident for financial reasons.
Additionally, some insurance providers participate in unjust practices, such as having adjusters downplay damages. Working with a Jacksonville car accident attorney is the best way to protect yourself and maximize compensation. This is especially true if legal action is required to win compensation.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
The claims process in Florida involves determining which drivers involved in an accident bear responsibility. While some drivers may be found 100% at fault and others 0% at fault, the process can also identify partial negligence or responsibility.
For example, using comparative negligence, one driver may be determined to be 90% at fault in an accident, while another driver is found 10% at fault. If the driver with 10% fault receives an award of $15,000, it would be reduced by 10%, and they would receive $13,500 instead of $15,000.
Other factors that can directly impact a car accident claim and its outcome include:
- The type of car accident, such as whether it was a hit-and-run or happened during inclement weather.
- The type of injuries sustained.
- The extent of damages incurred.
- The type of insurance the drivers have, such as personal injury protection coverage.
- The statute of limitations for a car accident claim is four years in Florida.
Experienced attorneys with practice areas in auto claims and Jacksonville car accident law can help ensure these factors are taken into account and won’t interfere with your settlement amount.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
In car accident cases, compensation usually reflects the severity of property damage and personal injuries. Accidents with serious injuries often result in higher claims and awards than those with minor or non-existent injuries.
Some of the factors that can increase compensation amounts include:
- Long-term disability or severe injuries.
- Severe damage to property.
- Loss of livelihood or ability to work.
- Missed work and lost wages.
- Impact on families and lifestyle changes.
- Wrongful death and damages incurred by the family as a result.
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Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
The legal term for financial compensation in a personal injury case is damages. Damages are intended to contribute to “making the person whole” after an injury is suffered.
Economic and non-economic damages that are frequently compensated in Florida car accident cases include:
- Medical expenses, including long-term medical care, medication, and surgery.
- Counseling or psychiatric care.
- Replacement or repair of vehicles and other damaged property.
- Rehabilitation or retraining.
- Restoration of lost wages or earnings.
- Pain and suffering.
In Florida, punitive damages may be awarded in the case of severe driver negligence. These damages aren’t frequently awarded, but in case of severe negligence, such as extremely reckless driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, an auto accident claim could result in damages intended to punish an at-fault driver.
Economic damages, or those with a dollar amount, are typically more easily won than non-economic damages. For example, medical expenses with a clear cost can be reimbursed down to the cent. On the other hand, non-economic damages like pain and suffering are harder to quantify. Ways in which these damages may be compensated include using the per diem method or multiplier method.
Car Accident Rates In Jacksonville
The following are car accident statistics within the last few years in Jacksonville, Florida:
- Over 50% of car accidents in Jacksonville involved people from the ages of 18-24.
- In July 2021, there were 128 traffic-related deaths for the year, compared to 109 in July 2020.
- Data shows Southside Boulevard is the most at-risk area in Jacksonville for car accidents, with 139 car accidents occurring there in 2021.
- In 2021, Duval County reportedly had 24,435 car accidents.
- As a result of these accidents, 14,184 injuries occurred.
- There were 179 fatal crashes in 2021.
- 38 fatalities were related to drug and/or alcohol impairment.
Jacksonville participates in various initiatives to reduce accident rates. One of these is Target Zero, a Florida-wide program focused on data-driven driver behavior change. The program aims to lower transportation-related injuries and deaths across the state.
Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Jacksonville
Following a car accident, it’s important to get expert legal advice to decide whether to proceed with filing a claim. Once you file, you’ll want a team of personal injury attorneys with the knowledge, resources, and experience to help earn you the best settlement possible for your losses. “The sooner you speak with a trusted attorney, the sooner you can learn the best options for your case and begin the journey to reclaiming what’s rightfully yours,” says attorney John J. Hart. “We go to court every day to help people in the same situation that you are facing.”
The law offices of Florin|Roebig have been helping residents in the state of Florida seek compensation for personal injuries for more than three decades, and we are ready to put our resources to work for you. In fact, we are so successful in our efforts to help car accident victims that our law firm peers often refer clients to us!
Our award-winning car accident attorney team includes:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- John J. Hart
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
Founded in 1985, Florin|Roebig’s qualified, experienced personal injury lawyers have a strong history of successful litigation. 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.”
Florin|Roebig is comprised of auto accident attorneys who are caring, professional and committed to helping you understand your legal rights and options after a car accident in Jacksonville. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident call the injury law firm of Florin|Roebig for a free consultation to learn the next best step following a car accident injury.
Location and contact information:
1506 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions regarding car accident claims and lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida:
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Florida?
Car accident settlements can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars depending on the type of accident, car accident injuries incurred, and damages. Often, the more damages and injuries, the higher the settlement. An experienced auto accident attorney can ensure you get the maximum settlement for your case.
How do I sue for a car accident in Florida?
The first step to sue for a car accident in Florida is to file an auto accident claim. If your claim is denied or meets other criteria needed to move to court, you’ll want to find a top-rated personal injury lawyer or auto accident attorney to help you take your case to the next level.
Many law firms, like Florin|Roebig, will provide you with a free case evaluation to discuss how they can help you in a situation like this.
What is the 14-day accident law in Florida?
The 14-day accident law in Florida states that accident victims must seek medical attention for their accident injuries within 14 days of the crash. If a victim waits longer than 14 days, the insurance company is not obligated to reimburse the injured motorist’s medical expenses and other damages related to their injuries.
Regardless of whether you feel injured, getting medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident is important. Some injuries, like whiplash and traumatic brain injuries, are not always obvious but still need immediate treatment.
