Legal Representation for Car Crash Victims in West Palm Beach
Side impact crashes are also known as T-bone collisions. They happen when a vehicle is hit at a 90-degree angle. There is no airbag or sufficient barrier between the driver of the struck vehicle and the striking vehicle, and so the collision may result in catastrophic injuries, particularly if high speeds are involved. If you are hurt in a West Palm Beach crash caused by someone else’s negligence, the West Palm Beach car accident lawyers at Anidjar & Levine may be able to help you pursue compensation.
Seeking Damages through a Negligence Claim after a Side Impact Crash
Why do side-impact accidents happen? A common reason is failing to yield at an intersection, but in some cases, distracted driving, drunk driving, or aggressive driving is to blame. In most cases, the person in the car that was struck has more severe injuries than the person in the striking vehicle. If your car was struck due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation. You would need to show by a preponderance of the evidence the following elements: duty, a breach of duty, actual and proximate causation, and actual damages. Sometimes it is necessary to retain an accident reconstruction specialist to determine the cause of a side impact collision.
A successful plaintiff can potentially recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible costs that do not change depending on the jury. They include lost income, vocational rehabilitation, household services, and medical bills. Noneconomic damages are intangible damages that the jury believes naturally flow from injuries of the kind suffered. They may differ dramatically depending on how your attorney presents the case, and they often include pain and suffering and lost enjoyment.
If the other driver alleges that you are at fault, comparative negligence may apply. The jury would determine your damages but also assign both parties their percentage of fault. Suppose, for example, you are at a four-way intersection and believe you got there first. You drive into the intersection, and another party who is distracted but believes it was her turn to cross the intersection, T-bones you. If the jury finds that you were not at all at fault, you can potentially recover the full amount of damages from the at-fault party. However, if the jury determines the damages are $100,000, but you were 20% responsible for the side impact collision, you still might be able to recover up to $80,000 from the other party.
Consult a Dedicated West Palm Beach Attorney for an Auto Accident Claim
In 2013, there were 13 fatal car accidents in West Palm Beach. Many other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians were involved in preventable crashes caused by the negligence of one or more parties. If you were hurt in a car accident in West Palm Beach or the surrounding communities, the West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at Anidjar & Levine may be able to represent you in a lawsuit for damages. You can contact us by calling 800-747-3733 or by completing our online form to set up a free consultation. We represent clients throughout Palm Beach County, including in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Royal Palm Beach, as well as in other South Florida cities like Fort Lauderdale.
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