Car accidents can be traumatic experiences that can leave you with severe injuries and your family with a significant financial burden. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you must protect your legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
At Shapiro Delgado, we are dedicated to helping car accident victims recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to under the law.
Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has a proven track record of success representing clients injured in car accidents, with over $100 million in successful jury verdicts and settlements to our name.
We encourage you to contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation car accident case review and take the first step toward receiving the compensation you deserve. Let one of our Bradenton car accident attorneys handle the legal details while you focus on your recovery.
The rate of car accidents in the United States has increased by 10.5% since 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with an economic impact of approximately $474 billion annually.
Here are some additional important statistics relating to car accidents in the United States:
In Manatee County, in which Bradenton is the largest city and county seat, there were 6,772 total motor vehicle crashes, resulting in 5,129 injuries and 71 fatalities in 2021. This accident rate has increased by 21.23% since 2020.
The state of Florida has 275,376 miles of road and is one of the most populous states in the United States. More individuals in a state mean more drivers on congested roads and aging infrastructure.
Additionally, due to Florida’s booming tourism economy, new-to-Florida drivers are constantly on the roads, causing even more accidents.
In a study performed by AAA, Florida was found to be the state with the most dangerous roads in the United States, with 17 out of 100 roads, determined by measuring the number of car crash fatalities. Even worse, out of the top 10 most dangerous roads in the U.S., five of those roads are located in Florida.
These deadly roads include the following:
If you or a loved one has been injured or perished on any of these roads, we wish to convey our deepest condolences.
Car accidents can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved, resulting in various minor, major, or even life-threatening injuries.
Types of injuries drivers and passengers frequently receive in car accidents include:
If any of these injuries applies to your situation or the experience of someone you love, don’t hesitate to contact us at Shapiro | Delgado for a free case review and consultation to discuss your case.
Awareness of where car accidents occur and the types of situations that lead to car accidents can help you stay safe while driving and make informed decisions if you ever find yourself involved in a collision.
Car accidents can happen in various locations, such as intersections, parking lots, highways, city and county roads, and driveways. These locations can potentially be the site of a dangerous car accident that can result in severe injuries or even death.
Some common types of car accidents that can occur include multiple-vehicle collisions, head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, side-swipe collisions, vehicle rollovers, and T-bone collisions. Each of these accidents has its own set of circumstances and consequences, and it is essential to be aware of the potential hazards associated with each one.
It’s important to remember that any car accident can have life-changing consequences for the victim and their family. If you have been involved in a car accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately and contact a Bradenton car accident lawyer, such as those at the firm of Shapiro | Delgado to help you navigate the aftermath of the incident.
Even if an accident involves a car, that doesn’t mean the victim involved in the previously discussed accident was also in a car. In Florida, for an incident to be considered a traffic crash, only one of the parties involved needs to be in a motor vehicle.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) includes the following car-related incidents in their Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Summary report:
As one of 10 states across the country that has personal injury insurance (PIP), it’s important to understand what PIP is. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation introduced PIP coverage to reduce the use of the court system and minimize the time it takes to pay the individuals involved in an accident.
If a crash does not yield “serious bodily” injuries, drivers or individuals involved can utilize their PIP policy. This means that instead of filing a case in a Florida court of law if someone were negligent, they would be required to use their PIP policy instead.
After a crash, a Florida resident would need to seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident to establish the severity of the injuries. If a medical professional determined that the victim received a serious bodily injury during that evaluation, that person could bring a civil suit against the third party in a court of law.
Florida defines “serious bodily injury” as an injury with a substantial death risk, serious disfigurement, or “a protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ.”
Since there is a substantial barrier to bringing a civil case in a Florida court, it is important to consider what injuries could be classified as serious bodily injury.
While this discussion is important to understanding if your injuries could be considered a serious bodily injury, this section is not to be used as a substitute for evaluation with a qualified medical professional.
Based on the definition codified in the statute, the following situations could be classified as “serious bodily injury”:
It is advised that after your medical evaluation contact a trusted car accident legal team, like Shapiro | Delgado, for a free car accident consultation. A trusted Bradenton car accident lawyer can make all the difference in bringing your case to a positive conclusion.
There are obvious economic damages if a car accident results in serious bodily injuries. But what about mental illnesses associated with severe bodily injuries?
Suppose someone was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression due to a car accident in Florida. In that case, they may get economic damages associated with mental health treatment.
For non-economic damages, an individual could claim pain, suffering, and other non-tangible economic costs associated with their car accident.
Again, if this situation applies to you, you must contact a Bradenton car accident attorney as soon as possible. Firms like Shapiro | Delgado will be able to fully address the nuances and complexities in your car accident case.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there are some standard economic damages that individuals typically experience due to a car accident case.
As economic damages are the calculable costs resulting from any kind of personal injury, these values come from lost wages, productivity losses, medical and administrative expenses, and the long-term cost of home healthcare or assisted living.
Here is the average economic cost to individuals and families after a car accident:
In Florida, due to being a no-fault insurance state, property damage and injuries that are not classified as serious would be covered by PIP insurance up to 80% of the cost of treatment.
If someone experienced severe bodily injury, an individual can bring suit to receive economic and non-economic damages if a car accident results in severe bodily injury. There are no caps on economic and non-economic damages in Florida.
There is a cap on punitive damages – damages on top of tangible and intangible costs associated with the accident – of $500,000 or three times the amount of economic and non-economic damages.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims resulting from car accidents is generally four years from the date of the injury. This means that if you were injured in a car accident and your injuries are considered severe enough to go outside the no-fault insurance system, you have up to four years to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the accident.
After four years, you may no longer be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. It’s essential to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure that you meet all the necessary deadlines to file your claim.
Additionally, it’s important to note that the statute of limitations for wrongful death resulting from car accidents differs from personal injury claims. In Florida, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death.
This means that if a loved one was killed in a car accident, you have up to two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death claim. In both instances, it’s crucial to act quickly in these cases and to consult with a qualified legal team like the firm of Shapiro | Delgado to help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that you meet all the necessary deadlines to file your claim.
When attempting to hire a car accident attorney in Florida, look for a lawyer with experience in personal injury law and a proven track record of success.
We always recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss your case, fees, and what to expect during the legal process. It’s important to choose an attorney you feel comfortable working with.
At Shapiro | Delgado, we understand the difficulties that victims of car accidents face. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients recover the maximum compensation they deserve for their injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights. Our team of skilled personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We have successfully achieved substantial settlements for our clients. Here are some examples of what we have done to help our clients and their families:
If you’re interested, we offer free, no-obligation car accident case reviews. During these case reviews, a Bradenton car accident lawyer will evaluate your case, answer your questions, and provide guidance on your legal options.
