If you or a loved one is injured and in pain following a car accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. You may even be wondering how much your claim may be worth if you decide to pursue covered losses.
Contact a Leesburg car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free, no-obligation consultation. A member of our Leesburg personal injury law team is ready and available to review your case. We have worked on many cases like yours and are proud of the results we have had helping clients receive reimbursement for loss of income and medical expenses.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Leesburg, Florida
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles over 1,000 accidents happen every day across the state of Florida, many resulting in injuries to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Though there is a wide variety of causes for these accidents, here are a few of the leading causes of car accidents in Leesburg, Florida.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents today. A distracted driver is someone who takes their eyes off the road to do something else, such as read a text message, dial a number on a cell phone, talk to a passenger, or even admire the scenery around them.
Speeding
Speeding happens every day across the country, and the faster a driver is going, the less time they have to react to and avoid a collision. High speed also increases the likelihood of fatalities in car accidents.
Aggressive Driving
Impatient drivers who dart in and out of traffic to reach the destination just a bit faster are driving aggressively. Unfortunately, this behavior often results in tailgating, which reduces the amount of time the driver has to react if cars come to a sudden stop.
Driving While Under the Influence
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 10,000 people die each year as a result of alcohol-related crashes. And despite the hope that the increase in the use of ride-sharing apps would reduce the likelihood of impaired drivers getting behind the wheel, there is no clear evidence to suggest that it has had a significant impact.
Drowsy Driving
An estimated one in 25 adults reports having fallen asleep behind the wheel in the last 30 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is especially common among:
- Adults who do not get enough sleep
- Commercial drivers
- Shift workers
- Drivers on medications that cause drowsiness
- Drivers with untreated sleep disorders
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Thousands of people are injured each year as a result of drivers who run traffic lights or stop signs. And because these accidents often result in a side-impact collision, they are often fatal for one or more of the parties involved.
Regardless of the cause of your injury, you are entitled to pursue losses if someone else was responsible for the car accident. Call a Leesburg car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today to discuss your claim.
Losses You Might Recover After a Car Accident in Leesburg, Florida
The details of every car accident case are different, but some of the losses that victims can recover include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages in the event the victim cannot return to work
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctors’ examinations, physical therapy, and medication
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
Punitive Damages
Although uncommon, in some cases victims can recover punitive damages. These are intended to punish the defendant because his or her behavior was grossly negligent. If punitive damages are awarded, they may not exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages that were awarded or $500,000–whichever amount is greater.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one because of a car accident, you have the right to pursue losses specific to wrongful death claims. They include:
- Funeral costs
- Loss of wages and benefits provided by the deceased
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of support and protection
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Laws That Could Impact Your Car Accident Claim in Leesburg, Florida
There are several laws that could impact your ability to recover losses in an accident. Here are the most common laws that apply.
Statute of Limitations
One law that will immediately impact your ability to pursue losses is the statute of limitations. § FL 95.11 limits the amount of time from the date of the accident you have to pursue compensation for your injuries. This also applies in the event of wrongful death.
Comparative Negligence
The state of Florida operates under the pure comparative negligence standard, imposed by § FL 768.81. This means that the court takes into consideration the degree to which the victim was responsible for the accident when rewarding losses. For example, if the court determines you are 20% responsible for the car accident, you can still pursue compensation for 80% of your losses.
No-Fault Insurance Laws
Florida is a no-fault state. This means that your insurance may be used to cover the losses, such as medical expenses or lost wages, of anyone on the policy. Whether you can pursue losses against the party who caused the accident depends on the seriousness of the injuries.
Florida PIP 14-Day Rule
Under § FL 627.736, the state of Florida requires anyone injured in an accident to seek medical care within 14 days, or else you run the risk that the insurance company may deny your claim.
How a Leesburg Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be overwhelmed at the idea of pursuing losses on your own. A Leesburg car accident lawyer can help. He or she can:
- Investigate your claim and gather evidence, including medical records, police reports, and eyewitness statements
- Establish liability
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Fight for your rights in court if we cannot reach a settlement
Contact a lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free review of your case or to get started right away.
