If you sustained injuries in a side-impact collision in St. Lucie County, the person responsible for causing the crash could face civil liability for any damages you suffered. A personal injury lawsuit could replace your lost wages or address other losses like medical bills.
The aftermath of a serious injury is never easy. A Port St. Lucie side-impact collisions lawyer could take the weight of an injury lawsuit off of your shoulders, though. This could allow you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Our team can handle your injury case.
Our Lawyers Will Help You Fight for Justice and an Award
A side-impact crash could re-shape the course of your life forever. The consequences of a serious collision could hamper your employability. They might also introduce new challenges into your personal life.
Our team is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve following a side-impact crash. While our team cannot undo the damage you suffered, we could help you seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
Recovering Compensation Following a Side-Impact Crash
The types of monetary compensation available following a side-impact crash will depend on many circumstances. First and foremost, your compensation will vary depending on the nature of your injuries and the scope of your other losses.
What’s more, your recovery will also depend on whether you file a claim with your own insurance company or pursue a civil lawsuit against the other driver.
Medical Expenses Could Entitle You to a Side-Impact Accident Award
Most of the time, severe injuries lead to substantial medical bills. The cost of your medical care could continue to grow over time. This is especially so if you require treatment in the months or years following your accident.
You could recover the cost of:
- Emergency room visits
- Physical therapy
- Emergency surgery
- Prosthetic limbs
You Could Collect an Award That Covers Your Lost Wages
Lost wages are another unfortunate reality in many serious side-impact vehicle crashes. Every day that you miss work during your recovery is a day you might not get paid. Missing out on days, weeks, or months of work could turn your budget upside down – especially if you have suddenly been saddled with costly medical bills.
You could also seek compensation for your diminished future earning capacity. If you cannot return to your previous position due to lasting injuries, you could recoup the difference between your previous wage and your future expected earnings.
While Pain and Suffering Doesn’t Have a Price Tag, it is Compensable
There could also be compensation for the physical pain and suffering you experience in your accident. This is true for the pain that occurs as you recover or even chronic pain that follows you for the rest of your life.
Determining the value of a pain and suffering claim can be complex. There is no uniform way your side-impact could assign a value to these claims. However, many courts base pain and suffering awards based on the cost of medical treatment.
You Could Have Property Damage to Your Vehicle After Your Port St. Lucie Crash
You could also be entitled to compensation for the damage to your motor vehicle. Car repairs are often costly, even in cases where the damage seems minimal. With many side-impact collisions, the damage could be significant enough to total the vehicle. You could obtain compensation for the cost of replacing or repairing your motor vehicle.
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Pursuing Damages in a No-Fault State
It is important to understand that Florida is a no-fault state. Under no-fault laws, you generally must pursue damages through your own insurance policy. Then, you could file a lawsuit against the other driver.
According to Florida Statutes § 627.736, drivers in Florida are required to carry Personal Injury Protection—or PIP—coverage when they are behind the wheel. This type of coverage is designed to compensate the policyholder for medical bills. The minimum amount of coverage required by law is $10,000. This type of insurance pays benefits regardless of who caused the accident.
No-Fault Coverage Might not Pay for all of Your Side-Impact Accident Losses
For some, the opportunity to secure coverage for medical expenses through their own insurance policy might sound ideal. Unfortunately, the compensation available through your own policy is likely limited. You might have to pursue further damages via a lawsuit.
Thankfully, there are some circumstances where you could pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit against the other driver. If the driver that was not at fault for the accident suffered permanent injuries due to the collision, you could file a claim.
Understanding Side-Impact Collisions and how Yours Might Have Happened
Side-impact collisions frequently carry serious injury risks. The specific type of injuries that come with these collisions will depend on the nature of the crash. There are two types of side-impact collisions: T-Bone and broadside accidents.
T-Bone Accidents Can Cause a Lot of Damage to Your Vehicle
A T-Bone accident earns its name from the way the collision looks from above. In these accidents, the front end of one vehicle strikes the side panel of another. This causes both vehicles to form a “T” shape.
T-Bone accidents are especially common in intersections where one driver fails to yield to a stop sign or traffic light. These collisions can be devastating, as they often happen when both vehicles travel at high speeds.
Port St. Lucie Broadside Collisions Happen in Moving Traffic
A broadside collision is also frequently referred to as a sideswipe accident. These collisions occur when the sides of two different vehicles collide with each other. Broadside accidents can occur when one driver attempts to change lanes or merge into traffic without noticing another car in their blind spot.
The impact of these collisions is not always as severe as T-Bone crashes. However, drivers frequently lose control of their vehicles when they are broadsided. Vehicles can run off the roadway or into a fixed object like a tree. In these situations, injuries can be life-threatening.
Reach Out to Us for a Free Side-Impact Collision Consultation
Our firm serving Port St. Lucie is dedicated to providing guidance and advocacy throughout your Port St. Lucie personal injury lawsuit. To learn more about how a side-impact collision lawyer might be able to help, call 1-800-747-3733.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offer a free consultation to each prospective client. Our team can also help if you lose a family member because of a Port St. Lucie wrongful death.
