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Car accidents happen every day, including an average of over 640 a day in Jacksonville and Duval County in 2019. Accidents can result not only in damage to your car and lost work time/inconvenience, but also potential injuries.
Some people injured in auto accidents may require extensive rehabilitation and treatment. Even if you think your accident wasn’t serious, many circumstances in an auto accident could serve as the basis for a claim.
A car accident personal injury claim can help to compensate you for damage to your vehicle, property, or injuries. You also need to know your rights in the car accident claims process in Florida. The experienced attorneys at Florin|Roebig understand how to file a car accident claim in Jacksonville. They are ready to help you understand your rights and the steps you should take following a car accident.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents in Jacksonville
Car accidents can result from many causes, but nearly all are related to three basic categories: driver error, wrongdoing, or negligence; mechanical failures and road hazards; or acts of nature.
Human-caused car accidents aren’t always a result of wrongdoing, but top human-related causes include distracted driving. Texting while driving was made illegal in Florida as of January 1, 2020, but some drivers continue to text and drive, resulting in accidents.
Another preventable cause of accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which continues to contribute to car crashes. Speeding, tailgating, and reckless driving are additional factors causing accidents in Jacksonville and Duval County.
Accidents can also result from poor weather conditions, including fog, rain, storms, and debris on the road. Poor visibility can lead to car crashes, as can failure to see or heed traffic signals and road signs. At times, drivers may be impaired by illness or may be driving with vision or hearing impairments that can lead to crashes.
In Florida, the law regarding personal injury claims, including car accidents, involves the concept of comparative negligence. Some accidents may truly be no one’s fault, while others may involve degrees of responsibility and fault. Car accident lawyers in Jacksonville are familiar with the complex causes of car accidents and how claims are awarded in Florida.
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Jacksonville, you should first seek medical care, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. You have a right not to speak to insurance company representatives until you understand your legal rights, which is one of the most important reasons you should consult a qualified attorney and file a car accident claim in Jacksonville.
Filing a car accident claim is the first step in the process of determining what damages have been suffered to your property, including your vehicle and damages that you have suffered personally. By filing a claim, you will start the process of determining these damages and learn how much financial compensation you could be entitled to receive.
Florida’s personal injury laws specify that damages should be awarded using the concept of comparative negligence. Insurance companies are aware of these laws, and may seek to put blame or negligence on any other vehicles or drivers involved in an accident for financial reasons.
Even if you think your motor vehicle accident was simple, and no one was hurt, you should investigate starting a car accident case with experienced Jacksonville car accident lawyers.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
Car accident claims can be affected by accident injuries, the amount of damage that has occurred, and the responsibility of the drivers and any others involved in the incident. In the state of Florida, car accident victims are awarded compensation based on the state’s legal concept of comparative negligence.
The claims process determines which drivers involved in an accident bear responsibility. While some drivers may be found 100 percent at fault, and others 0 percent at fault, it is possible for the process to identify partial negligence or responsibility.
In comparative negligence, one driver could be determined to be 90 percent at fault in an accident, while another driver has 10 percent fault. If the driver who had 10 percent fault receives an award of $15,000, it would be reduced by 10 percent, and they would receive $13,500 instead of $15,000.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
In the process of 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 where injuries are minor or non-existent.
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
If auto accidents involve fatalities, compensation can increase to high levels, because the process is intended to provide support for surviving family members.
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.
Categories of economic and non-economic damages that are frequently awarded in Florida car accident cases include:
- medical expenses, including long-term 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 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 a negligent driver.
Car Accident Rates In Jacksonville
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department, there were 23,468 crashes in Duval County in 2019:
- Out of the 23,468 auto accidents in Duval County in 2019, 9,390 resulted in injuries.
- A total of 163 people lost their lives in 159 fatal auto crashes in Jacksonville and Duval County in 2019, an increase from the
- 143 who lost their lives in 2018.
- Overall, there were 13,452 injuries suffered in all car crashes in Duval County and Jacksonville in 2019.
- There were over 7,000 hit and run crashes in Duval County in 2019.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Jacksonville
Following a car accident, it’s important to get expert legal advice so you can decide whether to move forward with filing a claim. Once you file, you’ll want a team of personal injury attorneys to represent you who have the knowledge, resources, and experience to earn you the best settlement possible for your losses.
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 accident victims in Jacksonville.
Our award-winning car accident attorney team includes:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
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. Florin|Roebig has been selected for US News and World Report’s “Best Lawyers in America” every year since the award began in 2010.
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. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn the next best step following a car accident injury.