A speeding driver can change your life in a split second. You or your loved ones may suffer significant injuries that permanently alter your ability to work and enjoy regular activities in life. You may be able to hold the speeding driver and other parties responsible for the injuries they caused you. If you are in this situation, you may want to get the advice of a Punta Gorda speeding accident lawyer.
When you suffer catastrophic injuries because of a speeding driver, you should not have to bear the costs of your injuries alone. You will likely accrue substantial medical bills and lose income from being unable to work, among other expenses. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we can help you seek compensation for these and other losses related to your accident. Contact our offices at 1-800-747-3733 and learn more about your options for legal recourse.
Speeding and Traffic Accidents
The Insurance Information Institute (III) reported that more than 6.7 million motor vehicle crashes occurred in 2018. These crashes included 1.9 million injuries and 33,654 fatalities. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that in 2018, 26% of all traffic fatalities involved at least one speeding driver.
According to the III, more than 3,000 people in Florida died in car accidents in 2018.
These statistics show that millions of people speed while driving their vehicles each year. Many of these speeding incidents end in accidents that cause injuries, thousands of which are fatal. Injury victims and the surviving family members of those who lost their lives in traffic accidents resulting from speeding may be able to seek compensation for their injuries from the responsible parties. When you are in the situation, a Punta Gorda speeding accident lawyer can help.
Negligence and Speeding Accident Claims
Motor vehicle accident claims, including those that result from speeding, are based on negligence. This legal theory states that a person or company is negligent when they fail to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would exhibit under the same or similar circumstances.
All drivers have a legal duty to follow laws for others’ safety. As a result, if drivers exceed the speed limit or otherwise commit traffic violations, they may be negligent if they cause an accident that leads to bodily injuries and property damage.
Injury victims generally can prove that a driver was negligent in violating the required legal duty of care by speeding. A traffic citation, for instance, can be evidence of negligence, as can accident reconstructions to determine the speed at the time of impact. Witness statements also can be useful in corroborating claims of excessive speed in negligent drivers.
No-Fault Laws and Personal Injury Claims
Florida has a no-fault insurance system that requires you to file a claim with your insurance carrier following an accident, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 to cover your medical expenses and lost wages resulting from the accident. However, if you have suffered severe injuries, this insurance coverage likely is insufficient to cover all your accident-related expenses.
Under Florida Statutes §627.737, you can sue any parties responsible for causing your accident if you have suffered any of the following:
- Significant loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
Surviving family members can seek compensation for the loss of their loved one in a fatal accident. You might deserve compensation like pain and suffering, loss of future earning capacity, and other intangible damages.
Compensation in Speeding Accident Claims
Victims in accidents resulting from speeding may suffer severe injuries, some of which require extensive medical treatment. In a personal injury claim, injury victims may be able to recover compensation for their accident-related losses. Some of the most common forms of compensation or damages include the following:
- Immediate medical expenses, including surgical costs, hospitalization expenses, emergency medical treatment, and transportation bills
- Ongoing and future medical expenses, including home health care costs, rehabilitation expenses, durable medical equipment, and medications
- Compensation for permanent impairments, scarring, and disfigurement
- Loss of income and earning capacity if you’re unable to work, either temporarily or permanently
- Loss of companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, inability to engage in regular activities, and pain and suffering
You also may be able to recover compensation for property damage suffered in the crash, such as damage to your vehicle. Getting legal advice at the onset of your claim can help ensure that you make a claim for all compensation for which you may be eligible.
Contact Us for Legal Advice Today
An accident involving a speeding driver can leave you and your loved ones with devastating injuries. Hiring a Punta Gorda speeding accident lawyer may allow you to pursue compensation from the careless and reckless drivers who caused the accident that led to your injuries. We can assess the circumstances surrounding your accident, discuss your legal rights, and help you determine the most effective course of action in your case.
Time limits apply to your legal claims, so do not delay seeking legal advice from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. We can handle all the details involved in your legal proceedings while you focus on your physical health and recovery. Call our offices at 1-800-747-3733 and get more information about the options that are available to you.
We Can Help.
