Broken bones are painful and can lead to ongoing medical care, expensive bills, and even long-term damage to your body. If you suffered from a broken bone injury in a car accident caused by another party, you could recover financial compensation by making an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.
If you are interested in learning more about what you can do next, our law firm is available to help answer your questions about the legal process. An Orlando broken bones car accident lawyer is available to evaluate your case.
Call our Orlando car accident lawyer today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Causes of Car Accidents
Collisions happen daily in the United States, causing accident injuries, property damage, and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2 million victims of car crashes require emergency room visits every year.
The CDC estimates the total cost of vehicle accidents to be more than $40 billion annually in the United States. One type of costly injury caused by car wrecks is broken bones. If you suffered from a broken bone injury in a collision, it might have been due to one of the following factors:
- Distracted Driving: This refers to any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This action could be eating, playing with the radio, or talking on a cell phone. Distracted driving is a very serious problem, leading to thousands of deaths annually in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Driving Under the Influence: It is dangerous and illegal for a driver to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As reported by the NHTSA, drunk driving causes thousands of accidents annually, leading to over $40 billion in damages and healthcare expenses.
- Mechanical Failures: Sometimes, mechanical failures can lead to crashes. While certain mechanical problems cannot be foreseen, in some cases, another party could be liable for failing to inspect their vehicle properly. If a mechanical issue led to your accident and broken bones, it might be possible to recover compensation from someone other than the driver.
- Speeding: Driving at an unsafe speed can have devastating effects. Speeding decreases reaction time while increasing the potential for a high-impact crash. An at-fault driver could be liable if their speeding caused the accident.
- Breaking Traffic Laws: Traffic laws exist to keep everyone on the road safe, but some drivers fail to adhere to these important rules. If another driver failed to stop at a stop sign or red light or broke any other traffic law, they could be liable for your accident and the resulting injuries.
- Unsafe Roadways: Sometimes, a crash is not caused by a driver or mechanical failure. Unfilled potholes, malfunctioning traffic lights, and even bad weather could lead to collisions, even when human error is not a primary factor.
The cause of your accident could be from one of the previously mentioned factors or for another reason. Regardless of what led to the crash, suffering from one or more broken bones can negatively affect your daily life.
The Impact of Broken Bones on Your Life
Broken or fractured bones can dramatically impact your life. Age, diet, general health, and lifestyle can complicate these injuries or affect recovery and prognosis. For example, an older individual is less likely to recover fully than someone younger.
Long-Term Limitations
Broken bones can be painful and take a long time to heal. Severe breaks can cause permanent damage to the surrounding area’s tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. If you suffered a broken bone in a motor vehicle accident, you could be dealing with this injury for weeks or months.
In some cases, rehabilitation could be necessary, and you could even be left with permanent mobility loss. Your Orlando personal injury lawyer can consult with your doctors and other medical experts to better understand how the accident will continue to affect you going forward.
Emotional and Financial Stress
Broken bones can also lead to emotional and financial stress. You could be unable to work due to your injury, affecting your earnings and financial stability. Meanwhile, you likely have a growing stack of medical bills associated with your treatment.
This situation can affect your emotional health, as it is not uncommon for injured car accident victims to suffer from depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While focusing on your health and recovery after your accident, remember that you have rights and legal options. A team member is standing by to discuss your situation free of charge to see if one of our Orlando attorneys can help you with your case.
Other Car-Accident Related Injuries
As bad as broken bones are, they may not be the only injuries you sustain. Other common injuries associated with motor vehicle crashes include:
- Head and neck injuries: Whiplash, concussions, and brain injuries are common in car wrecks.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: These can range from minor sprains to paralysis.
- Internal organ damage: This can include internal bleeding or severe organ damage.
- Soft tissue injuries: These include sprains, strains, contusions, and tears of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues.
- Traumatic brain injuries: These can range from mild to severe and cause long-term cognitive issues.
- Burns: These are the most painful and cause permanent scarring.
- Lacerations: These can cause significant bleeding and require stitches or surgery.
- Emotional trauma: PTSD is a common result of serious car wrecks.
If you suffered any injury caused by another party, you might be entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney can explain your legal options.
Being injured in a crash can have a significant impact on your life. You could be dealing with pain, mobility issues, and emotional distress. Our Orlando team is here to help you get the justice you deserve.
Determining Liability in Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
Determining liability in motor vehicle accident cases can be a complicated process. It is important to understand that fault and liability are two separate concepts. Fault refers to who or what caused the collision, while liability refers to who is legally responsible for the damages resulting from the crash.
When determining liability, it is necessary to investigate the facts of the case and determine who was at fault. This could involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts.
An Orlando car accident lawyer can help you build a strong case to prove the other party’s negligence and seek compensation for your damages. An experienced attorney can also help you understand the legal process and protect your rights throughout the proceedings.
Proving Negligence
Proving negligence is a key factor in determining liability in motor vehicle accident cases. Negligence occurs when the other party fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in injury or damage.
To prove negligence, you must show that the other driver had a duty of care to act reasonably and that they breached this duty.
You must also show that the other driver’s negligence was the direct cause of your injury or damage. This means you must be able to demonstrate a causal link between their actions and your injury.
Finally, you must prove that you suffered damages due to the accident. The evidence that proves this could include medical bills, documentation of lost wages, pain, suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses.
Collecting Evidence
To establish negligence, you must provide evidence that someone else was at fault for the accident. This could include evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photographs. It is also important to obtain the victim’s medical records to connect their injuries with the crash.
A car accident lawyer can assist you in gathering this evidence, building a strong case to prove negligence, and seeking compensation for your damages.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System
Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that each driver’s insurance coverage pays for their medical bills and property damage, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
Under this no-fault insurance system, you can only sue the other driver if your injuries meet certain criteria, such as permanent disability or disfigurement.
If you have been injured in a crash, you must contact an experienced accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a valid compensation claim.
Recoverable Compensation
While no two cases are the same, some victims of car accidents that resulted in broken bones can recover damages by filing an accident claim. If another party was responsible, you could be eligible for reimbursement for medical expenses, legal fees, and other accident-related costs.
You could even collect lost wages if you could not work because of your injury. A lawyer can help you determine the specific types of compensation available in your situation and if legal action is appropriate.
After breaking a bone in an auto accident, you may be entitled to the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Emotional pain
- Wrongful death (if a loved one dies)
- Punitive damages (in rare cases)
If a loved one dies due to their injuries, we could help you file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How an Orlando Broken Bones Car Accident Lawyer Can Benefit Your Case
Working with an experienced Orlando car accident attorney can provide many benefits. A qualified attorney can:
- Protect your rights and support your case: An attorney can help you understand the legal process and protect your rights throughout the proceedings. They can also help you build a strong case to prove the other driver’s negligence and seek compensation for your damages.
- Negotiate with the insurance company and represent you in court: An experienced attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement. They can also file a lawsuit and guide the litigation process.
- Save you time: When an individual is involved in a car accident caused by someone else, they are most likely entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses. However, the process of obtaining this compensation can be complex and time-consuming. Let us handle your case while you relax and recover from your injuries.
- Pursue full compensation for your injuries: An Orlando car accident lawyer can help victims navigate the legal system and maximize their chances of recovering fair compensation for their damages. On average, accident victims represented by an attorney receive significantly more compensation than those who handle their own personal injury claims.
- Represent you in court: If your case doesn’t settle, an attorney can represent you and fight for the financial award you deserve.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights and determine if you have a valid claim.
Time Limit for Florida Personal Injury Claims
In Florida, personal injury claims must be filed within four years of the accident date. This time limit is known as the “statute of limitations.” If you fail to file your claim within this period, you may be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a minor was injured in an accident, they may have more time to file a claim. A good lawyer can help you understand the specific laws in your state.
Our team can ensure you meet all applicable deadlines and provide the legal guidance you need to pursue a successful claim.
We Handle These Cases on a Contingency-Fee Basis
We understand that the financial burden of an auto accident can be overwhelming. That’s why we handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. You don’t have to pay us any legal fees until we win your case and you receive compensation for your injuries.
We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality legal representation and will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We only get paid when we get you a settlement or court award, and if your case does not succeed, you owe us nothing.
We understand that this accident may have caused financial hardship, and we don’t want to add to that. That’s why you’ll never have to pay upfront. Also, our initial consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward with us.
Contact an Orlando Car Accident Attorney
A serious accident can change your life, and while you are left picking up the pieces, it is important to remember that you have options. You deserve justice if another party is responsible for your broken bones and suffering. Don’t settle with the insurance company for less than your case is worth.
To learn more about the legal options available to you and your loved ones, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. A team member can discuss your case in detail during a free case review. Don’t miss out on your opportunity for compensation.
Contact us today to talk to an Orlando broken bone car accident attorney.