Auto Accident Injury in Jacksonville, FL

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Jacksonville? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Jacksonville, FL that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Jacksonville, Florida

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Jacksonville area has seen its fair share of crashes. The crash dashboard available through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides statistics for every county in the Sunshine State between 2018 through the present. In 2020, Duval County has seen 16,348 crashes, with 6,450 injuries and 130 fatalities so far. These statistics take into account crash data involving motor vehicles, motorcycles, bikes and pedestrians.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) handles a majority of crashes in the Jacksonville area. The severity of the accident dictates how JSO responds. According to Florida law, you have 10 days to report an accident if:

•  The damage is over $500
• Someone died
• There are injuries
•  A driver left the scene
•  A vehicle needs towing

The best course of action is to remain at the scene to give an officer a report. This document will become crucial in your insurance investigation. All accident reports from every Florida agency can be found on FLHSMV. You can even purchase a copy of your crash report from the website.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The CDC reports the financial impact of traffic fatalities by state. The most recent data, from 2018, reports that the State of Florida paid about $4.4 billion in crash deaths. When someone who gets in a car accident survives, the severity of the injuries may vary. Medical treatment ranges, but medical bills can climb in the wake of a traffic crash.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Florida

Liability Laws for Jacksonville

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

The process in Florida car accidents is different because the state is considered “no-fault.” This means that each driver is responsible for the damage to their own vehicle or body. There is special coverage called Personal Injury Protection or PIP that pays a minimum of $10,000 towards medical care for injuries. However, it is easy for these bills to climb, especially in the wake of a serious physical injury. When one driver suffers a permanent injury, one that causes significant impairment moving forward, then under Florida law, the at-fault driver may be sued.

Statute of Limitations in Jacksonville

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Under Florida law, the victim has four years to file a lawsuit for permanent injuries. To access your PIP benefits, you must see a doctor within 14 days of a crash.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Jacksonville, FL

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Florida!