Advances in technology and increased legislation have decreased motor vehicle fatalities over the years, but tens of thousands of people still lose their lives in collisions across the United States, and millions more suffer injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 6 million accidents took place in the U.S. in 2018, including more than 5 million that led to injuries. That year, approximately 400,000 accidents occurred in Florida, and 4,190 in Leon County alone caused injuries.
Florida regularly ranks among the states with the most car accidents per year, and 2018 was no exception. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that Florida came in third behind for the highest number of fatal collisions in the U.S. that year behind Texas and California.
Between its large number of both young and older drivers, thriving tourism, and high population, it comes as no surprise that accidents occur commonly in Florida. However, drivers still have an obligation to practice safe habits behind the wheel, as their failure to do so can result in severe or even fatal injuries. If you suffered chest trauma in a Leon County collision, a Tallahassee chest injury caused by a car accident lawyer can help you pursue financial recovery for your losses. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine right away at 1-800-747-3733 to discuss the details of your case with our legal team.
Chest Injuries Can Have Severe Consequences
According to the Merck Manual, chest injuries cause about one-quarter of all traumatic deaths in the U.S. They often result from blunt trauma, such as the impact in a car accident, or penetrating trauma, such as laceration of organs by broken ribs. The ribs, which protect the internal organs of the thoracic cavity, fracture easily in traffic collisions, and they can cause further injuries to the chest.
Chest injuries can interfere with breathing and circulation, which sometimes result in fatalities. Some of the conditions associated with thoracic trauma include:
- Rupture of the aorta
- Injury to the heart
- Accumulation of blood in the area surrounding the heart
- Broken ribs
- Detachment of the chest wall from the rib cage
- Bleeding of the lungs
Victims may also experience bleeding within the lung cavity or collapsed lung, which can occur simultaneously. If you suffered one of these or another chest injury in a Tallahassee car accident, our lawyers can provide responsive legal care to help you seek financial recovery for your losses.
Getting Help with Your Car Accident Case
You do not have to hire a lawyer to help you with your car accident case. However, many victims find it beneficial to seek the professional assistance of a legal team so they do not have to manage every aspect of their case by themselves. The Florida legal system involves a series of complex processes, but our attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of the laws and deadlines associated with civil claims. Some of the ways we will go the extra mile to help you include:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of your case
- Helping you make objective decisions during your difficult time
- Calculating the value of your damages so you can pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement on your behalf
- Saving you time and stress by attempting to settle outside of the courtroom first
- Taking your case to trial if we cannot achieve adequate recovery for you out of court
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine any time at 1-800-747-3733 to explore your options with our legal team.
You May Still Qualify for Financial Awards Under Florida’s No-Fault Law
Under Florida Statutes §627.7407, drivers must carry auto insurance that includes a personal injury protection (PIP) policy. This type of coverage provides for the injuries of the driver in the event of an accident regardless of who caused it. While helpful in certain circumstances, such as when the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, it can also make it difficult for victims to sue liable parties for damages.
However, even though Florida law holds you responsible for your own injuries, you may still have a case against the at-fault driver. In collisions in which the injuries exceed the limits of the victim’s PIP policy, the victim can file a claim against either the driver’s insurance company or the driver to pursue further damages. A lawyer can help you assess your damages and see if you qualify for additional compensation in your case.
A Tallahassee Chest Injury Lawyer Can Deal with Insurance Companies for You
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to work with, as they try to increase their profits by using strategies that undermine the victim’s damages or make them feel as if they hold more responsibility for causing their accident than they really do. They will even do this to their own policyholders, who often have no idea they are being manipulated until they realize later that the settlement the insurance adjuster offered them does not provide for their injuries.
Whether you want to file a claim with your own insurance for the injuries you suffered in your accident or pursue legal action against the insurance company of the other driver, our lawyers can assist you by communicating with the adjusters for you, comparing the total of your injuries with available insurance coverage, and pursuing fair financial awards for you.
Florida Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Injury Cases
Florida has a statute of limitations in place on personal injury cases such as car accidents that set a time limit on how long a victim has to file a claim against the liable party. While victims typically have up to four years from the date of the accident to file suit, our lawyers recommend starting the process right away to avoid delays or missing deadlines.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Right Away to Start on Your Claim
If you suffered thoracic trauma in a Leon County traffic collision, a Tallahassee chest injury caused by a car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation by guiding you through each step of the claims process, advocating for you, and providing you with legal support from the beginning to end. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we want you to worry about getting better while we take care of everything else. Contact us today at 1-800-747-3733 to speak with our legal team about your free case evaluation.
We Can Help.
