Drivers in Ormond Beach and Volusia County averaged nearly 28 car accidents a day in 2019 according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. On average in 2019, 18 people were injured each day in an auto accident in the county.
Car accidents can continue to affect your life long after the day of the incident. From medical bills to lost earnings and wages, you may need help to pay for ongoing expenses for you and your family. The law regarding car accidents and accident claims is complex. Florin|Roebig has experienced car accident lawyers serving Ormond Beach who can help you understand your rights and the car accident claims process.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Ormond Beach
Poor weather conditions and poor visibility can cause auto accidents. Mechanical failure can also lead to crashes. However, the majority of car crashes are preventable, including human error, distracted driving, and driver negligence. Driver negligence can include driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. It can also include distracted driving.
Driver inexperience can also lead to crashes. More than 460 drivers ages 15 to 17 were involved in auto accidents in 2018 in Volusia County, leading to 93 injuries and two deaths.
Other common causes of accidents in Ormond Beach include:
- speeding and reckless driving
- failure to heed traffic signals and signs
- damage to roads or debris on the road
- animals on the road, from gophers and tortoises to alligators
- failure to see pedestrians or bicyclists
Accidents can also be caused by a lack of sleep or driving while taking prescription medication.
Understanding Your Rights After A Car Accident In Ormond Beach
If you’ve been in an accident, your first steps should be to follow Florida law and use best practices. Pull off the road to a safe location. If there are any injuries or more than $500 in property damage, you must report the accident to law enforcement immediately. Get a medical checkup to ensure you haven’t sustained any injuries.
You may be contacted by insurance company representatives following an accident. You have rights in the car accident claim process. You are under no obligation to speak to any insurance company representative, especially those who represent other drivers.
Filing a car accident claim in Ormond Beach can help to protect your rights. You may also experience many needs following the accident, including money for medical care, prescriptions, repair of damage to your car, and lost earnings. You can get help with these needs by filing a car accident claim.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Claims
Following an auto accident, financial compensation is based on the damages that have occurred. The severity of the accident, property damage (including necessary repair or replacement of vehicles), and any injuries suffered will affect the amount of money payable through an accident claim.
A statute of limitations specifies how much time people have to file a personal injury/accident claim. In Florida, the statute of limitations is four years from the date of an accident or injury.
Florida also has a legal doctrine that influences car accident claims and awards called comparative negligence. The claims process determines how much responsibility (if any) drivers have in an accident and if they were negligent.
Car accident claim awards can be reduced if a driver is found to have some responsibility or negligence in a crash. For example, a driver who is found to be 20 percent negligent in an accident and receives a $25,000 claim award will have that amount reduced by 20 percent. The driver would receive $20,000 instead of $25,000 through the claim award process.
How Much Compensation Can You Win?
Car accident claim awards are determined based on the severity of injuries and the amount of damage to vehicles or other property. The process can be complex, which is another reason to work with car accident attorneys who understand the factors that can influence the award amount.
The greater the amount of property damage and the greater the financial needs, including medical treatment and care, the larger an auto accident claim can potentially be. The intent of the car accident claims process is to help you recover from the accident and help you and your family to begin the process of rebuilding your lives.
Our Featured Case Results
Types Of Damages Awarded In Car Accident Claims
Car accident lawyers have experience in helping determine which damages have been suffered in an auto accident. They use damage categories to find out how much the claim award can be.
Damage categories in Florida may include:
- replacing or repairing vehicles
- hospitalization, prescriptions, and medical bills
- rehabilitation or retraining costs
- psychiatric treatment and medication
- time off work or lost earnings for self-employed people and business owners
- pain and suffering
You may hear about punitive damages, which are awards that are intended to punish severe negligence. Punitive damages are uncommon. They are usually awarded to send a warning about serious negligence; for example, a commercial vehicle driver who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to a major accident.
Car Accident Rates In Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach is a small coastal city in Volusia County, Florida, just north of Daytona Beach on U.S. Highway 1. When driving, residents must stay alert and drive defensively. Tourists, construction, and weather can all lead to challenging driving conditions. Traffic statistics gathered in 2021 include:
- 7,688 auto accidents were reported in Ormond Beach.
- 82 fatalities occurred in the reported car accidents.
- 5,463 injuries were sustained in vehicle accidents.
- Three accidents involving fatalities were attributed to drugs and/or alcohol.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Ormond Beach, Florida
Driving on state highways can be particularly dangerous. When highway speeds are combined with traffic congestion, drivers need to be especially cautious. Three of the most dangerous intersections in Ormond Beach are:
- Nova Road and Granada Boulevard: This intersection is known for its heavy traffic flow and high rate of accidents. Drivers often fail to obey traffic signals or become distracted, leading to collisions.
- A1A and Granada Boulevard: This intersection sees a lot of traffic from both locals and tourists, which can lead to confusion and erratic driving behavior. Additionally, the intersection has a complex layout with multiple turn lanes, making it difficult to navigate for some drivers.
- US-1 and Granada Boulevard: Like the other intersections, heavy traffic flow and driver distraction are common issues at this intersection. Additionally, the intersection has a high volume of commercial vehicles like UPS trucks, which can increase the risk of accidents involving large trucks.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Ormond Beach
Car accident claims can be overwhelming to file on your own, which is why it’s highly beneficial to work with a legal professional who understands this area of law and can help you every step of the way. Our lawyers have more than three decades of experience in filing personal injury claims for Florida residents and they are ready to put that experience to work for you.
Some of our car accident lawyers serving Ormond Beach and the surrounding areas include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Luca G. Esposito
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- John Hart
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
Beginning in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been awarded the distinction of being one of America’s best law firms by U.S. News & World Report each year. Our firm’s compassionate and capable attorneys have achieved some of Florida’s highest contested jury verdicts for personal injury cases. Florin|Roebig has obtained over $1 billion in case awards to date.
We are committed to helping our clients get the compensation that will help them recover from accidents and injuries. Contact Florin|Roebig today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation regarding your car accident claim in Ormond Beach.