People are involved in automobile accidents every day in Melbourne, Florida. When these accidents lead to catastrophic injury and financial loss, victims may wonder whether there is anything they can do to rebuild their lives. Fortunately, if you can show that someone else’s negligence was the cause of your car accident, you can typically collect a settlement in court.
The purpose of a car accident settlement is to compensate you for any and all losses related to the accident, including your lost wages, medical bills, and any other verifiable expenses. For the best results, anyone who wants to file a car accident in Melbourne should contact an attorney for legal advice and representation.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Melbourne
In order to collect compensation after a car accident in Melbourne, you must be able to show that negligence was a factor in your accident. This means that the accident occurred because one or more other parties failed to exercise reasonable care.
Examples of car accident causes that are usually considered to be caused by motorist negligence include:
- driving with distractions, such as texting or talking on the phone
- drunk driving – DUI-DWI
- failure to obey traffic laws
- driver error or inattention
- speeding
- road rage
You may also be able to file a personal injury claim if you were involved in a car accident because of a poorly maintained road or a malfunctioning vehicle. However, it is important to note that not every car accident in Melbourne will result in a successful claim. If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies you to file a claim, call Florin|Roebig for a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer that knows personal injury law.
Reasons To File A Car Accident Claim
As the victim in a car accident, you may choose to file a car accident claim for several reasons.
Some of the most common motivations cited by people who file car accident claims include:
- to collect damages — Car accidents lead to a number of expenses, such as lost wages and medical bills. Filing a car accident claim gives you the opportunity to collect a settlement designed to compensate you for these losses.
- to avoid future accidents — Car accident claims draw attention to the dangers of negligence on the road. In some cases, this may serve to reduce the risk of similar accidents occurring in the future.
- to hold the negligent party responsible — The negligent party responsible for your accident should be brought to justice. Filing a car accident claim is the best way to hold this party responsible for their actions.
Regardless of the reason you choose to file your claim, you will have a better chance of success with the right attorney on your side.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
Several different factors can have an effect on the outcome of your case. For example, the type of car accident claim you plan to file will determine how the case proceeds. While some cases involve only property damage, others also involve personal injury.
Regardless of the type of claim you plan to file, you must file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. The state of Florida requires all car accident claims to be filed within a specific amount of time after the accident occurs. Otherwise, you won’t be able to collect compensation.
Another important factor to consider is the issue of comparative negligence. In some states, you can only collect compensation for a car accident if you share no fault. In Florida, you will be able to file a claim even if you were partly at fault for the crash, but your settlement amount may be reduced accordingly. Talk to your attorney to learn more about this issue.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
A wide range of factors can affect the amount of compensation you will win if your personal injury claim is successful.
Some of these factors include:
- type of injury — A mild injury that heals quickly will bring a smaller settlement than a serious injury expected to cause lasting disability and/or pain.
- financial impact — The more severe the financial impact of your accident, the higher your settlement amount will be. For this reason, it is important to keep all receipts related to the crash.
- aspects of life affected by the accident — Some injuries are so severe that they impact the victim’s personal life, such as their ability to engage in previous hobbies. These effects on your life will result in a higher settlement amount.
Every car accident claim is different. For a more accurate assessment of what you expect to collect if you win your case, talk to a personal injury attorney.
Our Featured Case Results
Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
The types of damages awarded in car accident claims can typically be divided into two categories: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are intended to make up for a specific loss you experienced because of the accident.
Some of the most common compensatory damages awarded in these cases include:
- medical payments for both past and future medical expenses
- compensation for lost wages and lost ability to earn money in the future
- damages related to physical pain and emotional trauma
- compensation for loss of enjoyment and damage to relationships
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to punish the person who is responsible for your accident. These damages are usually included only in cases where negligence was extreme or the responsible party caused the accident on purpose.
Car Accident Rates In Melbourne
Southeast of Orlando, Melbourne is a city in Brevard County. It is famous for Paradise Beach, which faces the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2019, the population is 81,468. Like other parts of Florida, Brevard County can have its fair share of unsafe driving conditions. Melbourne experienced these traffic accidents in 2021:
- 6,906 total accidents this year, including automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.
- 4,755 people reported injuries after their accident. This number has also risen since 2020.
- Of these accidents, 66 resulted in death.
- Of these accidents, 0 were the results of alcohol and/or drug consumption.
Melbournes 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 Melbourne that residents should proceed with caution. Be sure to obey any and all traffic laws. Melbourne contains some of the most dangerous intersections in Brevard County and here is a list of them:
- US 1 and W Eau Gallie Blvd: According to the Florida Department of Transportation, this intersection has recently undergone construction to improve safety and traffic flow. The improvements include new turning lanes and signals, as well as improved pedestrian crossings. The speed limit on US 1 in this area is 45 mph while the speed limit on W Eau Gallie Blvd is 35 mph. If you are turning onto W Eau Gallie Blvd from US 1, be aware that there may be heavy traffic and congestion during peak commuting times.
- N Wickham Road and Lake Washington Road: This intersection is located in a suburban area with moderate traffic volume, so drivers should be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to slow down or stop as necessary. The speed limit on N Wickman Road is 45 mph so drivers should be cautious when approaching this intersection. There are bike lanes and sidewalks along both roads so motorists should be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians and give them enough space when passing.
- Post Rd and N Wickham Rd: The speed limit at this intersection is 45 mph. There are crosswalks at this intersection and in a busy commercial area, so be on the lookout for the high volume of traffic during peak hours.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Melbourne
When filing a car accident claim, having the right attorney can make all the difference. When you have an experienced, dedicated attorney on your side, you will have the resources you need to make the best decisions every step of the way. Our firm employs several car accident attorneys who have experience handling cases throughout Florida and the United States.
Some of our car accident attorneys serving Melbourne include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- 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. 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.”
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Get Help Filing A Car Accident Claim In Melbourne
If you or a loved one are thinking of filing a car accident claim in Melbourne, you need an attorney you can trust. With the right attorney on your side, you can be sure that you have the best chance of winning the settlement you deserve. At the law offices of Florin|Roebig, we understand the complex laws that apply to car accident cases in Melbourne. Please contact our office today for a free consultation which will allow you to learn about the legal process when it comes to personal injury lawsuits.
