Car Accident Lawyers Jacksonville, FL

After both major and minor car accidents, there are typically damages that lead to high costs to the victim. Florida is known as a “no-fault” state when it comes to automobile accidents, which means that for a victim to recover their initial losses (under $10,000), they will work with their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy, but once the cost of their personal injuries exceeds this $10,000 limit, they will need to file an auto accident claim with the insurer representing the at-fault driver (or, in certain instances, against their own uninsured motorist coverage policy). 

Regardless of how a victim must proceed, many car accident cases result in settlements far less than what they deserve because insurance companies are aggressively focused on settling for as little as possible — especially when a claimant is not working with a Jacksonville car accident attorney for a legal team. 

After a car crash, though, many victims simply file their car accident claims alone, only to realize after the fact that they were entitled to much more money than they settled for.

Contact 1-800-Injured To Connect With Local Car Accident Lawyers With Ease

1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. After being hurt in a Jacksonville car accident, car accident victims are left facing significant impacts and losses that can be very frustrating to recover compensation for when dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. 

Personal injury attorneys are an excellent tool for victims trying to fight for car accident compensation, but unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of this partnership as they start the claims process on their own. 

1-800-Injured connects accident victims with law offices and schedules a free consultation on their behalf. During this free consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss the specifics of personal injury claims with a proven auto accident attorney and get a clear understanding of how they can support you through the insurance claims process. 

Insurance Claims Rarely Lead to Fair Settlements Without a Fight

At first glance, a car accident claim is a seamless process — initiate your auto accident claim, and simply wait for the auto insurance claims department to issue a settlement payment — but the reality is that insurance companies are focused on settling any given car accident claim for as little as possible. 

Fighting for what you deserve will lead to aggressive negotiations and intimidating actions taken by the auto insurance company. 

Common Types of Car Accidents

The following are just a few of the most common types of accidents, both in terms of severity and the technical aspects of the crash.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is a serious problem, both in Jacksonville and throughout the United States. Everyone on the road is at risk when one driver is distracted from their responsibilities. 

Whether the responsible driver is texting while driving, eating, applying makeup, playing with their radio, or anything else that takes their attention or focus off the road, you deserve compensation for their dangerous behavior.

Speeding Accidents

Speed limits are there for a reason, but people often ignore these limits and drive at unsafe speeds. For several reasons, speed limits are determined to keep everyone safe, allow for safe travel for a range of vehicles, and account for the specific conditions of the stretch of road. 

When someone is speeding, they may come around a bend too fast, miss important yield or stop signs, or find themselves in many other situations that can cause an accident. In addition, accidents at higher speeds can cause more damage. 

Motorcycle or Truck Accidents

Car-on-car accidents are dangerous, but the risks are much higher when adding several tons of metal to the equation. The danger is also increased when you strip away the protective walls of a vehicle, as is the case with motorcycles.

These are the average weights for vehicles that you commonly find on the Jacksonville roadways:

• Motorcycle: 400 pounds
• Automobile: 4,000 pounds
• Heavy-duty Commercial Truck: 26,000 pounds

The differences in these masses mean that it’s possible to be hit by a vehicle that’s several times heavier than what you’re driving. If you’re on a motorcycle and you’re struck by a car or driving a car that was struck by a commercial truck, the likelihood of serious injury is greater. 

A Jacksonville car accident lawyer will recognize the increased peril and be able to present your case in a way that will garner additional damages.

Dangerous and Fatal Accidents

The city of Jacksonville experiences about 25,000 car accidents annually. Motor vehicle accidents result in some of the worst injuries that area emergency rooms, like the one at Memorial Hospital, see on a regular basis. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to walk away from a crash. In addition to the 12,024 reported injuries, 187 car accident fatalities were reported in 2020 in Duval County from a total of 21,211 reported crashes. In the event of a fatal accident, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages that go beyond the impacts addressed in non-fatal personal injury and car accident cases.

Drug-related and Alcohol-related Crashes

A bigger population means a greater occurrence of DUI and DUI accidents. If you’re the victim of someone else’s bad decision, you shouldn’t have to pay for your recovery. A car accident attorney will focus on helping you seek out the compensation you need to recover, both physically and financially.

Duval County had a total of 1,797 DUI arrests in 2019. Countless other drunk drivers were not arrested, putting everyone else on the road at an increased risk of an accident due to their reckless decision to operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A 2019 study found that there were 5.60 DUI deaths per 100,000 residents of Jacksonville. According to ValuePenguin:

“Jacksonville, Florida’s most populous city, had the highest absolute number of DUI deaths within its borders — 138 over the last three years. That puts it 191% over the average among large cities. It was also the only city in northeastern Florida to be among the top 10 most dangerous cities for DUI deaths — nearby Gainesville is 71% safer. Route 1 was the most dangerous road in Jacksonville, with 15 total fatalities on the major highway between 2015 and 2017.”

Jacksonville Car Accident Statistics

Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida, with twice the number of people that Miami has. With over 800,000 residents, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that the city records tens of thousands of car accidents annually. These car crashes often involve serious injuries. In fact, according to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), 12,000 people were injured in Duval County car accidents last year.

If you are the victim of a Jacksonville car accident, it’s important to consider your options with the help of a personal injury law firm. The medical expenses from a car accident can be exorbitant, and most people don’t have the cash reserves to handle that kind of expense. 

A Jacksonville car accident lawyer will be able to help you find just compensation for any damages you suffer in an accident.

Common Accident Injuries 

The following are just a few of the many different types of injuries that may be suffered in a crash, each of which car accident attorneys are familiar with representing. 

Whether or not you see your specific personal injury mentioned below, contact us as soon as possible to be connected with a personal injury law firm for a free consultation where you can discuss the type of injuries you have suffered from an auto accident, the impact these injuries have had on your life, and learn about how vital car accident lawyers are for successful personal injury claims. 

Whiplash

In a rear-end collision, one of the most common injuries can be whiplash. Whiplash is a medical term used to describe neck strain and injury to soft tissues (ligaments) between the bones of your neck. 

Car accident lawyers see many people who have been injured as passengers in vehicles that were struck from behind – or hit by someone who ran into them from behind – caused by distracted drivers who are unable to pay attention while operating their vehicles. 

Seat Belt Injuries

“Seat belt syndrome” is a term used by some physicians to describe specific injuries that may be suffered during an auto accident while wearing a seatbelt — which appear days, weeks, months, or even years after the car crash itself has been long forgotten. 

These “syndrome-type” injuries may result from any number of factors, such as contact with hard surfaces during the impact; improper positioning of your body before or after the crash; or even a product defect in your seat belt, vehicle seats, airbags, headrests, and other car safety equipment.

Fractures

Car accidents can lead to fractured bones, especially when the impact is significant enough to deploy the airbag. Broken ribs are often accompanied by internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent. A fracture is a break or crack in a bone and can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of the injury. 

A compression fracture often occurs when the weight-bearing bones in your spine are broken due to pressure on your back. Common areas for fractures include your arms, legs, and hips.

Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injuries

Many of the most severe problems involve head injuries, including traumatic brain disorders (TBIs). During a crash, head contact with glass, steering wheels, or metal objects can cause traumatic brain injury; TBI symptoms include headache, memory loss, and even personality changes. Severe closed-head injury can manifest in unconsciousness or coma for days, weeks, or longer after the accident.

Heart Damage

While it isn’t easy to break your heart with an auto accident, medical research has shown that people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after car crashes may be at greater risk for heart disease and stroke than the general population. This is because feelings of panic, fear, and helplessness increase levels of cortisol and adrenaline — both known to affect your cardiovascular system — as well as raise blood pressure. 

Lacerations/Abrasions

Any type of injury that causes you to lose skin (lacerations) or causes skid-marks across your body (abrasions) can lead to scarring, infection, disfigurement, and even nerve damage. These types of injuries are often not immediately apparent; if you have any reason to believe that you were involved in a car accident where such wounds occurred, the chances are good that they will need immediate medical attention.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is often not immediately apparent following a car accident. For this reason, among others, it is important to seek prompt medical attention — even if you don’t believe that your injuries are severe enough to warrant such action. 

A common cause for internal bleeding can be damage to the blood vessels and organs in your chest and abdomen area, especially the liver and spleen.

Bruising

Bruising is an injury typical of car accidents — and while the discoloration may fade over time, it is not a sign that you are fully healed. If any part of your body shows signs of bruising or swelling following a car accident, chances are good that you’ve suffered some sort of personal injury; but many times, such symptoms will reoccur without warning even after they’ve seemingly disappeared.

Even a bruise should warrant a visit with your doctor to ensure that this is not a visible symptom of a more serious underlying issue. 

Emotional Distress

Emotional distress from a car accident is anything but trivial. Following a Jacksonville, FL auto accident which causes car accident injuries, victims often become depressed or stressed out due to the physical ailments they are forced to cope with daily.

Among the most common symptoms of mental anguish following a car crash are severe feelings of anxiety and depression, a general sense of hopelessness, and a lack of motivation that can lead to withdrawal from family, friends, and work.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is composed of bundles of nerve fibers that transmit signals back and forth between the body and the brain. If these nerve cells are damaged (by a car accident or any other type of trauma), then it is possible to suffer long term consequences in the form of neurological deficits, including paralysis and other problems with bodily function, organ control, and even cognitive processes such as memory and perception.

Sudden-Onset vs. Chronic Injuries

Car accident injuries can manifest themselves in sudden-onset form, especially to drivers and passengers who were wearing their seat belts at the time of impact. Such individuals sometimes complain of severe neck pain and headache after an auto accident — perhaps delayed by hours, days, or weeks following the initial trauma. 

Car accident injuries can also be chronic in nature. Some sustain minor injuries during a car collision that make them more susceptible to developing other types of medical conditions over time — such as asthma, high blood pressure, and even Type 2 Diabetes. These chronic injuries are why it is crucial that you do not make official statements about your condition until working with Jacksonville car accident lawyers.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is a type of personal injury claim that arises when a person’s death is caused by the negligent or wrongful actions of another, such as a Jacksonville, FL distracted driving crash. The deceased’s family members can initiate a lawsuit in civil court to recover compensation for their losses, but to do so, they must be able to prove that the decedent’s death was caused by someone else. 

This is best done by having a personal injury attorney skilled with cases involving motor vehicles on your side when you take the first steps toward filing your wrongful death claim.

What to Do After an Accident

The following are some of the most critical steps to take, starting from the moment you are first in an accident. 

Remember that every accident is unique, so the following advice is intended to give you a general sense of important steps to take and is not meant to be used as a comprehensive guide for getting through the days and weeks after a crash.

Call 911

In Jacksonville, FL, and Duval County, both police and fire rescue are dispatched to all accidents with injuries as a matter of policy. However, someone needs to alert 911 of the auto accident so that they can send first responders who can resolve any issues at the scene of the accident, write an accident report, provide emergency medical care, and more. 

Call 911 after your accident to ensure that you get the care you need and that there is an official record of the situation. It may be in your best interest to call 911 before exiting your vehicle to avoid the possibility of the at-fault driver pressuring you into handling things directly without alerting the proper officials.

Document Your Jacksonville Car Accident

As much as we don’t believe it, our memory is fallible and unreliable. As such, a Jacksonville car accident attorney will rely on immutable records like police reports, photo and video evidence, and medical records to paint the full picture. Car accident lawyers appreciate any additional evidence they can use to support personal injury cases, so if possible, take a video of the accident scene and narrate over the top of it. 

In the video, discuss your actions leading to the crash, any relevant details about the location, and what the other driver was doing to cause your auto accident. Document your injuries at the time, as well as damage to your vehicle and other vehicles. 

After a car accident, there are often eyewitnesses who stop to provide their account of the situation. Be sure to get their contact information and encourage them to make an official statement to the attending officer. These additional perspectives can provide insight into determining fault and liability in car accident cases.

Get Medical Attention

If you’ve been injured, allow the paramedics to examine you on the scene. If they don’t transport you to the hospital, see your doctor at your earliest convenience. Internal injuries are common in car accidents, and they aren’t always apparent with a cursory examination. You need to identify and treat all of your injuries—not just the ones visible at the time of the accident.

A complete medical examination can uncover internal bleeding, minor fractures, and concussions. In addition, a medical report can be used by your car accident lawyer to establish a timeline for your medical recovery history. A complete medical examination is the first step in what could be a long road to recovery.

Follow Up With Your Doctor

Regardless of how you handle your injuries immediately after the car accident, you must continue to work with your doctor throughout your recovery. While many people choose not to in order to reduce their medical expenses, this decision can lead to additional complications and long-term injuries that can cause significant disruptions to their quality of life. 

Ignoring Injuries Can Complicate Your Case

In a personal injury case where a victim chose to ignore their injuries, leading to more complications, an insurance company will work aggressively to pin the fault on the victim since they did not take the appropriate steps following a major vehicle collision. Working closely with a doctor after motor vehicle accidents is essential for your physical health and the strength of your personal injury case.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer

Many people will file an insurance claim as soon as possible in the hopes that they can resolve the claims process as quickly as they can, collect their settlement money, and move on with their lives. While this sounds ideal, the reality is that trying to speed through this process only results in the victim getting much less than what they are entitled to, and your situation will be no different.

Professionals Suggest Hiring a Lawyer Before Initiating A Claim

Contact a car accident attorney BEFORE filing a claim so that you can have experienced legal advice through every step of the way. Simple, innocent statements will be used against you if at all possible. When your attorney is acting as an intermediary between you and the insurance company, they can ensure that these types of mistakes are avoided so that you can maximize your chances of a fair settlement.

Working With a Jacksonville, FL Auto Accident Attorney To Navigate Your Financial Issues 

In a car accident with injuries, medical bills and other expenses are inevitable. Healthcare is expensive, and the cost of your recovery will accrue as you go to doctors’ appointments, pay for medications, and attend physical therapy sessions. If you’re unable to work, it can be even more challenging to keep ahead of the mounting medical expenses. 

Calculating Economic Damages 

Economic damages make up the basis of a personal injury claim, as they apply to any impact or loss that has a set or measurable dollar value associated with it. These include things like a victim’s medical bills, lost wages, the cost to repair or replace damaged property, the cost of a rental car, as well as the cost of goods or services that a victim needed to purchase to assist them with their daily routines after suffering a personal injury. 

While it is simple enough to add these different totals up to reach a final amount, it takes skill and experience that car accident attorneys have to identify the many different damages that can legally be included in personal injury cases. 

Calculating Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more complicated than economic damages in personal injury cases for various reasons, namely because these damages seek financial compensation for impacts that have no set dollar values associated with them. 

These damages are typically very subjective and difficult to quantify, such as the emotional suffering or pain that a victim endures, the loss of quality of life, and more. 

Reaching a dollar amount for these damages can be accomplished with several methods, including either a multiplier or per diem method. 

A multiplier method uses a scale to indicate the severity of the damages and then multiplies this number against the total economic damages, while a per diem method assigns a daily rate that a victim is owed and multiplies it by the total days the victim suffered these damages.

An insurance company is more likely to fight against non-economic damages because they are so difficult to make sense of, but car accident attorneys have years of experience with Florida law and fighting to get fair settlements for their clients.

Negotiation Tactics Your Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyer Will Use to Maximize Your Settlement

When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in Jacksonville, FL, you need a fair settlement to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. A skilled Jacksonville car accident attorney will employ a variety of negotiation tactics to maximize your settlement. 

Thorough Case Preparation

Preparation is the foundation of successful negotiations. Your lawyer will obtain all relevant evidence, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. This comprehensive preparation allows your attorney to present a strong case from the outset, making it clear to the insurance company that you are ready to take the case to trial if necessary.

• Documentation: Gathering all pertinent medical records, bills, and evidence of ongoing treatment to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries.
• Expert Opinions: Consult with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and economists to provide authoritative insights that support your claim.

Setting the Right Initial Demand

Your Jacksonville car accident attorneys will carefully calculate the value of your claim, considering both economic and non-economic damages. They will then set a high initial demand, giving room to negotiate while ensuring that even after concessions, you receive a fair settlement.

• Calculating Damages: Accurately calculating past, present, and future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your car accident in Jacksonville.
• High Initial Demand: Setting a demand higher than the minimum acceptable amount allowing room for negotiation while aiming for a maximum settlement.

Collecting Powerful Evidence 

In negotiations, evidence is power. Your auto accident attorneys will leverage the strength of your case by presenting compelling evidence to the insurance company. This includes clear documentation of fault, detailed medical records, and expert testimony. The goal is to make it clear that if the case goes to trial, the evidence overwhelmingly supports your claim.

• Leveraging Strong Evidence: Using solid evidence of liability and injury to pressure the insurer into offering a fair settlement for your car accident in Florida.
• Strategic Presentation: Presenting evidence in a way that underscores the insurer’s potential risk if the case goes to court.

Anticipating the Insurer’s Tactics

Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts. Your lawyer will be well-versed in common tactics insurers use to undervalue claims, such as downplaying injuries or disputing liability. By anticipating these tactics, your attorney can effectively counter them, preventing the insurer from exploiting any weaknesses in your case.

• Countering Lowball Offers: Recognizing and rejecting initial low offers, countering with well-supported demands that reflect the actual value of your claim.
• Disputing Unfounded Claims: Actively challenging any attempts by the insurer to deny or diminish your compensation.

Aggressive Negotiation Techniques

Your lawyer will be prepared to engage in tough negotiations, using the threat of litigation as leverage. Insurance companies are often more willing to settle when they know the opposing lawyer is prepared to take the case to trial. This assertive approach can compel the insurer to offer a settlement that more accurately reflects your damages.

• Trial Readiness: Make it clear that your lawyer is fully prepared to go to court if a fair settlement isn’t reached.
• Persistence: Relentlessly pursuing a settlement that covers all your damages, refusing to settle for less than you deserve.

Strategically Timing the Negotiations

Timing is critical in negotiations. Your lawyer will choose the right moment to push for a settlement—usually after significant evidence has been gathered or as the trial date approaches, which can create pressure on the insurer to settle.

• Strategic Timing: Initiating or escalating negotiations at moments when the insurer may be more inclined to settle, such as when the trial is imminent.
• Capitalizing on Deadlines: Using statutory or case-specific deadlines to create urgency and compel the insurer to act.

Building a Strong Narrative

Your lawyer will craft a moving narrative that humanizes you and emphasizes the impact of the accident on your life. This narrative is designed to resonate with adjusters, making them more likely to offer a favorable settlement to avoid the unpredictability of a jury trial.

• Personal Impact: Highlighting how the accident has affected your daily life, relationships, and prospects.
• Sympathy Appeal: Position your case in a way that elicits empathy from the insurance adjusters, increasing the likelihood of a higher settlement offer.

Finalizing the Settlement

Once an acceptable offer is on the table, your lawyer will ensure that all terms are clear, comprehensive, and in your best interest. They will carefully review the settlement agreement to ensure that it covers all current and future damages and that you are not giving up any rights unnecessarily.

• Comprehensive Review: Ensuring the settlement agreement is fair, all-encompassing, and legally sound.
• Protecting Future Interests: Including clauses that protect your interests, such as covering future medical costs related to the accident.

Going to Trial if a Settlement is Not Reached

If negotiations fail to result in a satisfactory settlement, your Jacksonville car accident lawyer will be fully prepared to take your case to trial. Your lawyer will:

• Present Strong Evidence: They will showcase the evidence collected, such as eyewitness testimonies, expert analyses, and medical records, to clearly demonstrate the defendant’s liability and the extent of your damages.
• Call Expert Witnesses: Your attorney may bring in expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economists, to provide authoritative testimony that supports your claim.
• Craft a Persuasive Narrative: The lawyer will construct a powerful narrative that not only presents the facts but also highlights the personal impact of the accident on your life before the jury.
• Fight for Maximum Compensation: During the trial, your lawyer will advocate fiercely for maximum compensation, covering all aspects of your economic and non-economic damages. This includes not only your current losses but also any future expenses or losses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jacksonville, FL Car Accidents

The following are just a few of the most common questions that an attorney will be able to help you work through as soon as you connect with them.