Aside from the physical and emotional damages you’ve suffered from a car accident, you may face substantial medical bills for the treatment and other expenses. You may wonder what to do next and where to turn for help.
If another driver caused the accident, who pays for your damages? Who is going to pay for your medical bills? Will you have to run around from one insurance adjuster to another trying to get paid? Then you start hearing words like “lawsuit,” “personal injury,” or even “lawyer.” This is when your heart starts pounding.
Relax, you are in good hands! Our Jacksonville car accident lawyer has helped countless victims of auto accidents just like you. We will meticulously handle your personal injury claim so you can recover damages for your medical bills and other losses.
The road to recovery can be intimidating, but our Jacksonville car accident lawyers at Leon Law Firm are here to support you and help you get through it easily and smoothly. Call us now at (904) 944-4515 for a consultation.
What our Jacksonville car accident lawyer can do for you
It can be overwhelming when you or your loved one has been involved in an accident, especially if you have never had to deal with such a situation before.
Having someone on your side who understands the complex laws that apply to car accidents can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation necessary to move forward with your life after suffering from a car accident.
Here are ways our team of Jacksonville Car Accident Attorneys can help:
- We will thoroughly investigate the accident to uncover facts that can help strengthen your case against the defendant.
- We will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. This way, we can ensure that you get the value your case deserves. These companies are notorious for offering lowball settlement offers. We will prevent them from taking advantage of you.
- We will work hard to get compensation for car repair costs ( or loss of use), pain and suffering, lost wages due to missed work, and losses that aren’t covered by insurance.
- We will handle the paperwork so that you don’t have to be concerned with anything other than healing from injuries.
- We will make sure that justice is served!
Why choose our Jacksonville personal injury law firm to handle your car accident case
The first thing you should know about us is that we’re not afraid to fight. We’re not only fighting for our client’s rights but also standing up against the insurance company preying on unknowing victims.
With many years of experience in this industry, our Jacksonville car crash lawyer has won numerous complex cases for our clients.
If you’re ever injured in a car accident, we’ll ensure that you get the medical treatment you need, and we’ll also fight for your right to be compensated for lost wages and pain and suffering.
There are more reasons to choose us, and here are a few:
- We provide high quality and result-oriented approach to your legal issues.
- We fight to win. We carefully plan and execute the best legal strategy.
- We deliver exceptional service and unparalleled results.
- We have decades of expertise built on personal injury law.
- We are a contingency-based law firm. You don’t have to pay us unless we win your case.
- We offer a case review.
Car accident statistics in Jacksonville, Florida
In Duval County, including Jacksonville, there have been about 62 accidents every day on average over the last four years. Despite a decline in the overall number of accidents, a striking pattern indicates a surge in motor vehicle fatalities. From 2018 to 2020, accidents fell by 14%, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV):
Car Crash Statistics In Jacksonville
According To The Florida Department of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles
- 2018: 24,212 crashes
- 2019: 23,473 crashes
- 2020: 21,211 crashes
- 2021: 21,956 crashes
- 2022: 7,441 crashes
Even though the numbers aren’t completed, data from early December shows that accidents are slightly going up after a significant drop in traffic volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the figure of people who died in traffic accidents rose by 31% between 2018 and 2020:
Death Traffic Accidents Statistics In Jacksonville
- 2018: 143 deaths
- 2019: 158 deaths
- 2020: 187 deaths
- 2021: 174 deaths
- 2022: 49 deaths
Again, data for 2022 have not yet been completed, but so far, deaths are marginally lower than the previous year. But injuries caused by accidents are higher in 2022 than in 2021:
Car Injury Statistics In Jacksonville
- 2018: 13,858 accident-related injuries
- 2019: 13,454 accident-related injuries
- 2020: 12,024 accident-related injuries
- 2021: 12,639 accident-related injuries
- 2022: 4,576 accident-related injuries
Most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville, FL
Vehicular accidents can occur anywhere in Jacksonville and Duval County. However, some areas post more risks than others.
- Blanding Blvd & Youngerman Circle: 116 accidents
- Blanding Blvd & Argyle Forest Blvd: 90 accidents
- Blanding Blvd & Collins Rd: 72 accidents
- Atlantic Blvd & Southside Blvd: 69 accidents
- 103rd St & Ricker Rd: 66 accidents
- 103rd St & Blanding Blvd: 59 accidents
- Beach Blvd & Hodges Blvd: 56 accidents
- Beach Blvd & Southside Blvd: 55 accidents
- Baymeadows Rd & Southside Blvd: 54 accidents
- Claire Ln & San Jose Blvd: 51 accidents
What to do after a car accident in Jacksonville
Many lawyers, including us, say that if you’re in an accident, you should do the following steps right away to protect your legal rights:
- Call 911. In Florida, a police report must be filled out after any car accident that causes more than $500 in damage, hurts, or kills someone. Call 911 to report the accident, and inform the authorities if anyone is injured.
- Always seek medical attention even if you don’t think you are injured. A medical record made by a medical professional is essential to connect your injuries to the accident.
- Make sure to take pictures of your car (before the repairs are done), any injuries you sustained, the crash scene, and the vehicles involved.
- Exchange information with everyone who was involved in the accident. Make sure to write down the license plate number, insurance information, and driver’s license information.
- Check to see if there are any witnesses to the car accident. If there are, get their names and phone numbers (including work and home).
- Do not admit fault or discuss this matter with the other driver. It’s best to stay out of trouble and work with the police as much as possible.
- Protect your rights above all else. Contact your insurance company to report the collision, but refrain from making any statements to your insurer or the other party’s insurance company until you have spoken with an auto accident lawyer. Avoid signing any releases.
- Retain the service of a Jacksonville car accident lawyer. They can help you more than you can imagine. They can help you through the process and even represent you in court if necessary.
Representing a spectrum of car accident cases
No two accidents are alike, and it’s important to remember this when looking at your case’s value. Through the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can ensure that you’re getting useful advice and representation.
Leon Law Firm’s Jacksonville auto accident attorney regularly represents people injured in all types of vehicle accidents, including:
- Rear-end wrecks
- Rollover wrecks
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Accidents involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycles
- Crashed with uninsured motorists
- Construction zone accidents
- Large truck accidents
- Highway crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Lane change accidents
We do our best to approach each case individually because that’s what it is. Let us help you get the outcome you deserve for your car accident case.
Common causes of Jacksonville car accidents
Distracted Driving: This is one of the country’s most common causes of car accidents. It’s even worse than driving too fast or while drunk. A modern driver usually faces these driving distractions:
- Texting
- Talking
- Eating
- Grooming
- Using a GPS
- Setting up the radio
- Reaching for something
- Turning to talk
- Talking on the phone
Speeding: A speed limit is established to ensure optimal road safety. Unfortunately, not many drivers choose to abide by these limitations risking the lives of everyone around them. Speeding accidents often result in debilitating injuries and even death.
Drunk Driving or Driving Under the Influence: More than 40% of car accident injuries are caused by alcohol. When someone drinks or drives while intoxicated, they lose the ability to pay attention and act the right way.
Reckless Driving: Careless drivers can also kill people and cause serious injuries. Drivers are considered irresponsible if they threaten the lives or safety of others. This could include:
- Drinking and driving
- Speeding
- Racing
- Weaving
- Tailgating
- Road rage
Stormy Weather: Jacksonville, Florida, is well-known for the storms that can bring strong winds and heavy rains. Driving during inclement weather is perilous and doesn’t always end well for the driver.
Breaking the Rules: Someone is negligent if they choose not to follow the rules of the road. This may include:
- Not giving way (failing to yield)
- Running stop signs
- Speeding
- Beating the red light
Jacksonville car accident common injuries
Accidents may cause mild or catastrophic injuries. In most motor vehicle accidents, victims sustain minor bumps and bruises, but more severe injuries could also happen. Here are the most common fatal car crash injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
Determining liability in a Jacksonville car collision
There are four crucial factors to consider when determining obligation in a Florida auto accident case:
- Duty of care: The responsible motorist had a legal obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of the injured person.
- Breach of duty: The driver at fault broke their duty of care, either by accident or on purpose.
- Causation: This breach of duty induced the accident to happen, resulting in injuries and other damages.
- Damages: The victim suffered damages and other losses from the accident.
A Jacksonville vehicle accident attorney may assist in establishing the at-fault party’s duty of care, proving how their conduct caused the accident, and pursuing reimbursement for the injured party’s ensuing losses.
Damages available to car accident victims
A defendant can give two main types of damages to a person hurt in a car accident: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are recoverable compensation with direct monetary value. In other words, they directly influence the victim’s finances. In cases involving car accidents, the victim may be able to get compensation for:
- Medical expenses (present and future bills)
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage Lost income and wages
- Rental car costs
On the other hand, non-economic damages are intangible losses that are difficult to quantify. In cases involving car accidents, the victim may be given non-economic damages like:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of love or companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of pleasure in life
Reasons to file a car accident claim
By submitting an auto accident claim immediately, you can get all the information down while they’re fresh in your memory. You may also allow your insurance company access to witnesses and the other party’s insurance company.
If you act quickly, you can get a head start on your personal injury claim and get things moving in the right direction. You enable your insurance company to get an adjuster to check your damage, and the legitimacy of the event you say happened.
You must also have a written record of what you believe happened. People who wait too long can miss important details and forget what transpired, and their stories may probably change. These lapses can hurt the chances of your case.
Florida’s comparative negligence rule might affect personal injury claims
Florida upholds the pure comparative negligence rule. However, remember that Florida has a “no-fault” insurance rule, which is different from “comparative fault” in personal injury cases.
Under pure comparative fault, the person hurt can acquire damages proportional to how much responsibility they contributed to the accident.
For example, if Gary were found to be 60% at fault for distracted driving and Joe were found to be 40% at fault for speeding, Gary would be able to get 40% of his damages. But Joe could countersue Gary for damage to his car and get 60% of the amount Gary caused.
Jacksonville Car Accident FAQs
Every case is different. Without assessing and investigating your case, we cannot state the exact amount of the damages you will recover. A lot of factors, such as the complexities of your case, the estimated timeline of case resolution, and the feasibility of your evidence, can affect the value of your case.
To prove negligence, you’ll need to verify that the at-fault driver failed to exercise reasonable care by doing one or more of the following:
- Failing to use their turn signals
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Texting while driving
- Speeding
- Driving below the posted speed limit
To build a negligence case, your auto accident attorneys can use evidence such as witness statements, photographs, police reports, and medical bills.
To learn more about how we can help you after an auto accident in Jacksonville, contact us for a initial consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer who gets results!
Under Florida law, you usually have four years from the date of the accident or incident to file a civil lawsuit for personal injury. However, some exceptions to this rule exist, so it’s best to speak with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
You can still sue after a car accident even if you are not hurt, and the most likely thing to do is file a suit for property damages.
Yes, you can file a suit against your defendant for damages after a car collision. In Florida, which has a “no-fault” insurance system, you can pursue compensatory damages if your injuries are severe enough to qualify you for additional compensation.
If the at-fault person does not have automobile insurance, you may make a compensation claim with your insurer or initiate a lawsuit against the negligent party.
The state of Florida follows “pure comparative fault,” which means that you will still get paid for the part of the accident that the other driver caused. If you’re 40% at blame for an accident and the other motorist is 60% at fault, you should recover 60% of the compensation you’d get if the other driver were 100% at fault.
Victims can often settle automobile accident cases within six to 18 months, but the time it takes to settle your case may differ. Remember that Leon Law Firm works on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t get paid until you get paid. We’ll try to solve your case as soon as we can.
Generally, the sooner you get a lawyer, the better. If you hire a Jacksonville auto accident lawyer immediately after a car accident, you can avoid making mistakes that could cost you a lot of money. This is especially important if this is your first time dealing with a severe car accident.
Yes. Your car accident lawyer knows the legal system pretty well. When you’ve been hurt in a car wreck, the last thing you want is to handle everything yourself: the insurance company, scheduling appointments, finding witnesses, dealing with negotiations, and court appearances. You have enough stress and pain to deal with as it is.
Our Jacksonville car wreck lawyer knows how to navigate these issues. Our team can handle every aspect of your case, so you don’t have to worry about anything except getting better.
Contact an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney for a consultation
We’re not sure what’s worse: getting into a car accident or dealing with an insurance claim afterward. Fortunately, there’s no need to do both yourself.
While it’s tempting to try to manage car accident claims on your own, the truth is that it’s more than you could probably handle. Hiring an attorney is the way to go for all the details you need to handle to focus on your recovery.Our Jacksonville car accident lawyer is ready to help you get back on track after a car crash in Florida, so reach out at (904) 944-4515 and give schedule your consultation! You can also reach our legal team using our online contact form.
