Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer

What Causes Car Accidents?

Below is a list of the contributing factors in fatal car accidents in 2020:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence
• Careless driving
• Aggressive driving
• Failing to stay in the proper lane
• Reckless driving
• Disobeying traffic signs, signals or law enforcement
• Overcorrection or oversteering
• Vision obscured by snow, rain, glare, trees, etc.
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Making an improper turn
• Drowsy or fatigued driving

Speeding

Drivers who were driving too fast for the conditions, in excess of the posted speed limit, or were street racing were involved in 19.1% of fatal motorcycle and auto accidents in 2020. Speeding is more likely to cause a car accident in Boca Raton because of the decreased reaction time the driver has to respond to changing road conditions. The faster a car is traveling, the more stopping distance it needs to avoid hitting a pedestrian or another car. Speeding also reduces maneuverability.

Drunk Driving

32 people die each day in the US from motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk drivers. Alcohol reduces motor coordination, cognitive ability, and reasoning. A drunk driver has difficulty focusing their eyes and balancing. This is what makes drunk driving so risky and likely to cause an auto accident. 30% of all fatalities from motor vehicle accidents in the United States involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 g/dL or higher.

Source: www.city-data.com

Failure To Yield

When a driver fails to yield the right of way, they can cause an injurious accident. Failing to stop can put others in harm’s way. According to Florida law, cars approaching an intersection must yield the right of way to the cars already in the intersection. Then, the next car with the right of way is the one that has waited the longest. Rushing one’s turn can result in a T-bone accident. Over 8,000 people are killed each year in side-impact or T-bone accidents in the US.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of auto accidents. Texting, eating, applying makeup, talking on the phone, and other behaviors behind the wheel that take the driver’s attention away from driving put them and other road users at risk of a tragic car accident. In 2020, there were 3,142 fatal car accidents in the US where a driver was distracted. Drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were more likely to drive distracted than drivers who were 21 and older, but distracted drivers can be any age.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries

If you are wondering who will pay for your medical expenses, then a car accident attorney from the Law Offices of Scott J. Senft will be happy to answer your questions during your free consultation.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissues include the skin, muscles, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. Whiplash is one of the most common soft tissue injuries. Caused by the “whipping” motion of the neck after impact, whiplash is when the muscles in the neck and shoulders are strained beyond their range of motion in a car accident.

Internal Injuries

A ruptured spleen, internal bleeding or other internal injuries can be life-threatening. Internal bleeding is not noticeable to the victim at first, but after several hours, the pain sets in and the victim is in an emergency situation. Internal injuries can be caused by hitting the dashboard or the compression of the seat belt against the chest.

Broken Bones

Instinctively, people throw their hands out in a car accident to brace themselves or block debris or the airbag. The force of the impact can cause fractures in the arms, wrists, tibia, fibula, clavicle, ribs, hips, or back. However, pelvic bone fractures are some of the most common broken bones in car accidents. A broken pelvis can leave a person immobilized for weeks, months, or longer after a motor vehicle accident.

Catastrophic Injuries

Injuries that cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, disability, or illness are catastrophic injuries. Among them are traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries occur because of the force of the Boca Raton car accident. As the brain shakes inside of the skull after impact in a serious accident, it becomes bruised. Depending on the severity of the TBI, the victim may be fully healed in weeks, months, or longer, or they may never see improvement. This lack of certainty about the future contributes to the stress of the situation.

The spine is divided into three regions: the cervical spine at the top, the thoracic spine in the middle, and the lumbar spine at the bottom. Nerves branch out from each of these regions to control corresponding body parts. When there is damage to any part of the spinal cord in a motor vehicle crash, the victim can lose voluntary muscle control from that region and below. The most serious, spinal cord injury (SCI) is paraplegia, also known as tetraplegia. Injury victims living with SCI, can accumulate millions of dollars in medical expenses.

A Boca Raton Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help

Dealing with injuries from an accident involves a lot of questioning and concern about the future, and the stress can negatively impact your healing. A car accident attorney can help you.

Medical treatment for car crash injuries can cost thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The higher your medical costs, the more likely the insurance company is going to push back against your car accident claim. A personal injury lawyer fights so you get compensation for every penny of your medical bills.

Damages Available for Car Accident Victims

Our personal injury lawyers fight hard to get you the maximum compensation possible in your car accident case. The two most common types of compensatory damages in auto accident cases are economic damages and noneconomic damages.

Economic Damages After An Accident In Boca Raton

Economic damages include all of your financial losses, including, but not limited to, your medical bills for reasonable and necessary medical care, lost wages, lost earning potential, and other expenses related to your automobile accident, like getting a rental car.

You should talk with an auto accident lawyer if you can’t go back to work as a result of your injuries. Call now to speak with an auto accident attorney from the Law Offices of Scott J. Senft about how to determine an amount that fairly and justly compensate you for your personal injury and medical expenses.

In addition to those damages, you can be compensated for property damage, like the damage to your car. You can also be compensated for child care services and household services if your injuries make it difficult to do the things you used to do independently.

Noneconomic Damages

Along with physical pain is emotional suffering. There is more injury in a car crash than can be seen with the eyes. Non-economic damages compensate Boca Raton car accident injury victims for their non-financial losses, such as emotional distress, post traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.

Punitive Damages

Sometimes punitive damages are awarded in car accident lawsuits, which are paid for by the at-fault driver. Punitive damages are meant to punish the driver for outrageous behavior or reckless conduct that led to a serious Boca Raton car accident. They are also meant to deter others from committing the same act in the future. Punitive damages may be awarded in civil court, but these hearings are not the same as criminal proceedings being held against the at-fault driver. Talk to a car accident lawyer today to learn more about punitive damages.

Steps To Take After A Car Accident

An auto accident attorney will tell you that you should take the following steps after a car accident:

1. The first step to take in a motor vehicle collision is to call 911 to report the accident in Boca Raton. Check on the other driver, passengers, or anyone else involved (pedestrians, bicyclists), and then let the dispatcher know how many people are injured.
2. Do not leave the accident scene. It is a misdemeanor of the second degree to flee from the scene of a car accident without first meeting the requirements of Statute 316.062: the duty to inform and render aid.
3. Always exchange the following information after a car accident in Boca Raton: names, addresses, email, phone numbers, driver’s license, and auto insurance information. You will also need to provide this information to police officers when they arrive. It’s always a good idea to get the contact information of the other occupants or passengers involved in the motor vehicle accident, but you don’t need their car insurance information.
4. Be careful what statements you make. Some statements can have a negative impact on your car accident lawsuit, such as apologizing for the accident or blaming the other driver.
5. Take pictures of the scene of the Boca Raton auto accident. Include critical details that can help in your insurance claim such as street signs, speed limit signs, and the road conditions at the time of the accident. Take close-up photos of the damage to your car, as well as wide shots of the entire accident scene.
6. Seek medical attention right away to rule out any serious injuries from your Boca Raton car accident. Every auto insurance policy in the state of Florida includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. However, if you do not seek medical attention within 14 days of your Boca Raton car accident, you may lose that coverage. Qualified practitioners are ER doctors, your primary physician, a dentist or a licensed chiropractor. Physical therapists, massage therapists and unlicensed providers are not recognized by the Florida statutes as qualified providers.
7. Talk to an experienced car accident lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company. An attorney can inform you of your rights under the law, what deadlines you must meet, and answer any questions you have about the legal process.

Car Accident Statistics in Boca Raton, FL

Boca Raton is the second-largest city in the Palm Beaches. So far, in 2023, there have been 5,271 car accidents in Palm Beach County. Here is a breakdown of those car accidents:

• 165 bike crashes and five bicycle fatalities
• 103 motorcycle accidents and four motorcycle fatalities
• 1,346 crashes involving a hit and run driver

Failure to obey Florida traffic laws is one of the top contributing factors in car accidents in Palm Beach County. The most common day of the week for car accidents in 2021 was Thursday. The time of day when most accidents occurred in Boca Raton in 2021 was during the midday hours.

Source: www.flhsmv.gov

When to Call a Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer at The Law Offices of Scott J. Senft?

It is advised to speak to a car accident attorney before speaking to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Because most insurance companies require policy holders to report auto accidents within 24 to 72 hours, you will need to act quickly after your car accident in Boca Raton. Talk to a personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Scott J. Senft before speaking to the other driver’s insurance company about your accident in Boca Raton.

Call 954-998-0175 to speak with a personal injury attorney about your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by your car accident injuries. We can schedule your free consultation immediately to get started on your case.

FAQs

Below are some of the most common questions people have after a car accident in Boca Raton. If you have any additional questions about auto accident lawsuits or your rights under Florida law, call now to speak to one of our car accident attorneys about your specific circumstances.

What kind of evidence is used in personal injury claims?

In order to win compensation for your damages, your personal injury attorney will need to prove your losses. Some of the most common types of evidence used in car accident cases include:

• The police report generated at the site of the auto accident
• Your medical records
• Video footage from traffic cameras or nearby surveillance cameras
• Testimony from eyewitnesses of your car accident in Boca Raton
• Expert witnesses

The standards for evidence in personal injury cases is not the same as for criminal cases. Even if there is a criminal case against the driver for outrageous behavior or causing a fatality, in civil court, you do not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. You do need to prove that you suffered losses since tort law is concerned with compensation, rather than punishment or sentencing. However, the judge and jury will still expect to see clear and compelling evidence of the defendant’s guilt. You should work with a car accident attorney who has successfully handled cases for many years

You can help your case by providing your attorney with all documents related to your accident. If you receive any bills, statements or other documents, notify your attorney right away. You should also provide all videos and photos you captured at the scene of the accident with your phone.

What is bodily injury coverage?

All vehicles with a current Florida registration must be insured with a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and a minimum of $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage. However, those do not cover bodily injury or death to others when you are found at fault. Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) covers the damages to anyone you harm in a car accident in which you are found to be at fault.

When should I call a car accident attorney?

The statute of limitations on car accident claims in Florida is four years from the date of the car crash. The best time to speak with a Boca Raton car accident lawyer is within one to three days of the car crash. Filing a claim two, three, or four years later is a lot harder to win because of how much time has elapsed.

Generally, insurance companies require accidents to be reported within 24-72 hours, depending on what your policy states. This means you should act fast and give us a call before talking to the insurance company. We can get started on your case right away.

Who pays for my medical expenses?

Your PIP insurance will pay for 80 percent of your necessary medical care like the ambulance ride, hospital stay, any surgical procedures you had, dental work, physical therapy and more. As for being unable to work, PIP also covers 60 percent of lost wages and 100 percent of personal services, like child care.

To get compensation for your medical bills by your car insurance company, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of your accident. Florida has this deadline because waiting to treat your injuries could make them worse and create complications later on. Also, the smaller the time frame between the car accident and seeing a doctor, the more likely the insurance company will believe that this particular accident caused your injuries, rather than another event.

Who can sue for wrongful death in a Boca Raton auto accident?

The eligible family members who can sue for damages in Boca Raton car accident cases are:

• The deceased’s spouse
• The deceased’s children (minor children, defined as those under the age of 25, are entitled to higher damages than adult children)
• The deceased’s parents
• Dependent blood relatives

The surviving family members can receive compensation for funeral and burial costs, the medical care that the decedent received for their car accident injuries before their untimely death, lost earnings to be paid to the decedent’s estate or the decedent’s survivors add more. Talk to one of our car accident lawyers; they can provide legal guidance during this incredibly difficult time.

How do personal injury attorneys get paid?

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they do not get paid unless they win their case and their client receives a settlement or an award from a jury trial. You should speak to a qualified car accident attorney as soon as possible. The way the law works is that the insurance company pays for the car accident attorney fees of the policyholder if they win their auto accident lawsuit. However, Florida law may change the civil justice system, and how personal injury attorneys get paid. You should schedule your free consultation with a Boca Raton car accident lawyer today to learn more about your rights and the laws that are applicable in your case.

How do I choose the right car accident lawyer?

Most Boca Raton car accident lawyers offer a free consultation for potential new clients with questions about filing an auto accident lawsuit. That is a great time for you to learn more about filing a personal injury suit. You can also get a good sense of whether you feel comfortable working with them. It’s important that you feel listened to when you are telling your side of the story.

Ask us about our track record of reaching favorable settlements for our clients in cases similar to yours. You can also ask us about our educational background and experience.

The Law Offices of Scott J. Senft

The statute of limitations on car accident claims in Florida is four years from the date of the car crash. The best time to speak with a Boca Raton car accident lawyer is within one to three days of the car crash so we can schedule your free consultation. Call 954-998-0175 now to speak with an experienced car accident attorney who can answer your questions about Florida personal injury protection insurance, your rights, and more.