Miami-Dade County averaged more than 176 car accidents a day in 2019 which resulted in a total of over 31,400 injuries. The impact of a car accident can still be felt for a long period of time following the day of the crash.
After an accident, a car accident claim could help you to cope with the effects. You may need reimbursement for medical expenses, or you may need money to repair your vehicle or replace damaged equipment.
If you’ve missed work or you’re self-employed and are losing income, an accident claim might help. Call the experienced Kendall car accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig who can explain your rights and guide you through the process of filing a claim.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Kendall
Some car accidents are unavoidable. They occur due to natural causes or mechanical failures. Many other accidents are preventable and can result from human error or negligence.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs continues to be a leading cause of auto accidents in Miami-Dade County. In 2018, 338 accidents resulted from drivers who were under the influence of alcohol, leading to 164 injuries.
A total of 19 drug-involved accidents occurred in Miami-Dade County in 2018. Drivers under the influence of both drugs and alcohol were involved in 16 crashes, leading to the deaths of 17 people and injuries of 17 others.
Distracted driving can include talking on cell phones, using navigation devices or music/video players, texting while driving, or responding to distractions among passengers or outside the vehicle. It became illegal to text while driving in Florida in 2019, and motorists can be assessed fines if law enforcement officers see them texting while on the road.
Additional causes of car accidents in Florida include:
- failing to acknowledge road signs and traffic signals, such as red lights
- poor visibility and bad weather
- mechanical failures
- reckless driving and “road rage”
- debris on the road
- animals on the road
Driving without adequate sleep and some forms of prescription medication can also lead to accidents.
What To Know About Filing A Car Accident Claim
If you’ve been in a car accident, you should first seek medical attention. You are also responsible to follow Florida law regarding reporting an accident. If anyone has been injured and there is any property damage over $500, you must report the accident to law enforcement immediately.
Florida’s rules about car accident claims are complex. After an accident, a car accident victim’s first priority should be to seek medical help to make sure you haven’t been seriously injured.
Claims resulting from car accidents in Florida are influenced by the state’s rule of comparative negligence. You are under no obligation to speak with insurance company representatives who are involved with the drivers of other vehicles involved in your accident.
In addition, the rule of comparative negligence can inspire insurance companies to try to place blame in an accident on any other involved party, reducing their financial liability.
Even if you do not believe you’ve been seriously injured, a car accident attorney can advise you of your rights following a car accident. Filing a claim after a car accident can help to protect your rights and it can help you to receive the maximum compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
The amount of damages awarded in a car accident claim usually varies based on the severity of injuries suffered by the people involved in the crash. The amount of time off work and the severity of damage to vehicles and equipment can also influence a car accident claim and award.
Like other states, Florida personal injury law includes a statute of limitations or a legal limit on the time between an accident and the time a claim is filed. The statute of limitations in Florida following car accidents is four years.
Florida’s “no-fault” insurance policies can affect car accident claims in cases where there are no serious injuries, as can the concept of comparative negligence.
The doctrine of comparative negligence says that if an involved driver is found to be partially at fault for an accident, their claim award will be reduced based on the amount of comparative fault they are found to have. For example, if a person is found to be 30 percent responsible for an accident, their award would be reduced by 30 percent at the end of the claim process.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
Compensation in auto accident claims is usually influenced by the severity of the accident, injuries, and property damage. Following an accident, you are understandably under stress and may not realize the full weight of the impact the accident could have on your life over time. The accident claims process is designed to take all of these factors into consideration.
The amount of money that could be paid in compensation after a car accident can increase or decrease because of these factors and others:
- fatalities or serious disability and/or injury
- rehabilitation needs and long-term medical needs
- time off work or lost wages and income
- negligence and fault among the involved parties
- stress, pain, and suffering
Accidents that result in severe injuries or long-term loss of ability to work or support your family have greater potential for substantial financial compensation in the accident claims process.
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Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
The legal and insurance term “damages” refers to the categories of compensation that should pay for personal injuries and property damage.
Categories of damages include, but aren’t limited to:
- repair or replacement of vehicles or other equipment
- reimbursement for medical bills
- payment for rehabilitation and future medical care
- psychiatric care, counseling, and medications
- pain and suffering
- lost wages or earnings
In Florida, sometimes an additional category of damages intended to punish negligent drivers can be added to a car accident claim. “Punitive damages” are not common.
But they can be assessed in addition to specific damages for medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages are intended to punish severe negligence or wrongdoing and act as a deterrent against repeated negligent behavior.
Car Accident Rates In Kendall
Kendall is located in Miami-Dade County and is a census-designated place. As of 2020, the population is 77.228. Like other cities in Miami-Dade County, Kendall can have its fair share of unsafe driving conditions. Kendall experienced these traffic accidents in 2020:
- 44,696 total accidents this year, including automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.
- 20,662 people reported injuries after their accident. This number has also risen since 2020.
- Of these accidents, 243 resulted in death.
- Of these accidents, 13 were the result of alcohol and/or drug consumption.
Kendall’s 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 Kendall that drivers should proceed with caution. Be sure to obey any and all traffic laws. Here is a list of the most dangerous intersections in Kendall.
- SW 117th Ave and Kendall Drive: This intersection in Kendall has seen several accidents over the year and pedestrian-related incidents. Several factors have caused the dangerous conditions of the intersections, including heavy traffic, insufficient lighting, limited crosswalks, and unclear signage.
- SW 88th Street and SW 137th Avenue: This intersection is located in a busy commercial area with several businesses and has been reported to have a high volume of traffic. The intersection also lacks essential safety features, such as crosswalks and traffic signals, which can make it difficult for drivers to navigate the area safely. Additionally, the intersection has limited visibility due to obstructing trees and buildings, which can increase the risk of accidents. Reports of reckless driving behavior, such as speeding and distracted driving, have also been a contributing factor to accidents at this intersection.
- SW 117th Avenue and SW 88th Street: Heavy traffic flow and congestion during peak hours seem to be the leading cause of accidents at this intersection. A lack of proper crosswalks, street lights, and walk signals, and is located near a residential area, schools, and shopping centers have all contributed to these car crashes. In addition, a high number of car accidents were caused by DUI and reckless driving.
List Of Top Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Kendall
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident in Kendall, you may not know where to turn.
You can learn your rights and discover how to proceed by speaking with experienced car accident lawyers serving Kendall, including the following members of our Florin|Roebig team and many others:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Shaun M. Cummings
- John J. Hart
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
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
Between 2010 and 2020, Florin|Roebig was named one of the best law firms in America by U.S. News and World Report. The law offices of Florin|Roebig were founded in 1985, and we are dedicated to fighting for our clients and helping them receive fair compensation for personal injuries and property losses, including car accident claims.
You can speak with an experienced, caring attorney about filing a car accident claim in Kendall. Contact one of Florin|Roebig’s car accident lawyers today for a no-obligation confidential and free consultation.
