Belle Glade is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida with a population of over 17,000 people. The city sits on the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. The soil in Belle Glade makes it extremely conducive to large-scale production of sugarcane. This has also inspired the name of the area’s most popular golf club,Belle Glade Golf Club. Due to Belle Glade’s proximity to Lake Okeechobee, city residents enjoy sport fishing and a thriving agricultural industry. Belle Glade also offers residents and visitors the Torry Island Campground.
As with any other area in the United States, accidents with personal injuries befall a number of victims throughout Palm Beach County each year. If you have been harmed by someone else’s careless conduct near Belle Glade, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Frankl Kominsky can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers are available to serve Belle Glade and the rest of Palm Beach County. We represent clients in a variety of matters, including those related to car and truck accidents, product liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, premises liability, and more.
Pursuing Compensation After a Florida Accident
People who were hurt because of the carelessness of another person or entity often can file a lawsuit against the responsible party. In a lawsuit, negligence is generally defined as the failure to take reasonable care to minimize the risk of foreseeable harm to others. These types of claims require an injured person to show that the defendant had a duty of care, which means acting as a reasonably prudent person would have acted in a similar situation. For example, in the context of driving a vehicle, the duty of care typically consists of obeying traffic laws and not jeopardizing the safety of others on the road.
Unfortunately, negligent behavior causes many accidents in Belle Glade because people and entities often fail to meet this standard of reasonable care. Beyond drivers, the duty also extends to owners of property, including stores, restaurants, and hotels. These businesses are legally obligated to ensure that their premises are generally in safe condition for guests, customers, or patrons.
To prove that a defendant acted negligently, a victim must not only establish that the defendant failed to act in a reasonable manner, but also that this breach caused injuries and damages. It should also be noted that the State of Florida follows a Modified Comparative Negligence system. This means that if the victim contributed to the accident, the compensation award will be reduced by the percentage of his or her fault. For example, if the victim is deemed to be 30 percent at fault, he or she may be able to recover 70 percent of the total damages.
If you’ve lost a loved one through someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim against that party. A wrongful death lawsuit allows family members who were dependent on the deceased for financial and emotional support to seek monetary damages and pursue compensation. While no amount of money can ever replace your loved one, monetary compensation can help ease the financial burdens that are often associated with such a loss.
Palm Beach County Crash Statistics
Car and Auto Accidents are a leading cause of injuries In Belle Glade and throughout Palm Beach County. According to the 2018 Florida Crash Report by the Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Palm Palm Beach County experienced one of the highest crash rates in Florida.
- Total victims injured in an auto accident in Palm Beach County: 16,046
- Total Accidents involving Bicyclists: 422
- Total Motorcycle Crashes in Palm Beach County: 450
- Total Accidents Involving Pedestrians: 595
- Total Crashes in Palm Beach County: 26,962
- Total Fatalities as a result of Auto Accidents in Palm Beach County: 183
- Total Fatalities Involving Pedestrians: 42
- Total Hit & Run Fatalities: 13
Protecting Yourself After An Accident and Injury in Belle Glade
When you or a loved one can prove that the injuries you sustained are a result of another negligence or recklessness, you could have a claim to recover compensation. No matter the situation, every individual has a duty to use reasonable care, which is defined as acting in the same manner as a reasonably prudent person in similar circumstances. When someone’s behavior in a given situation doesn’t meet this standard, that person or company can be held liable for any harm caused.
An injured person who succeeds in an injury claim may receive compensation for a broad range of costs associated with his or her injuries. These may include medical bills, lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation treatment, therapy costs, property damage, and more.
Compensation can either come through a personal injury settlement or a judgment as a result of a trial. While we try to obtain swift settlements for all our clients, however, we have also represented clients in complex litigation cases.
While each state has its own laws regarding wrongful death claims, these types of claims arise when a person’s death results from the negligence of another person or company. Under Florida’s wrongful death laws , the personal representative of an estate can bring a wrongful death claim to court and recover damages.
Settlements can be distributed to surviving family members, such as a spouse, children and adopted children, parents, and any relatives who were financially dependent on the deceased at the time of the death.
To assert your rights in a negligence or wrongful death claim, you must file it within the applicable statute of limitations. Under Florida law, a victim must file an injury lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. The time frame to file a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of the death.
Here are some examples of how negligence claims can arise in various contexts:
- Car and Automobile accidents: a car driver runs a red light and causes an accident, injuring people in the other vehicle. Or when a pedestrian or motorcyclist is injured by a reckless or negligent driver.
- Premises liability: a shop owner improperly stacks merchandise, which falls and injures a customer.
Other Types of Claims We Handle in Palm Beach County
- Motorcycle and Scooter Injury Claims : motorcyclists who are injured by drivers of larger vehicles who speed, drive while intoxicated, or are distracted when texting.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Claims : victims who have been injured by reckless or by distracted drivers.
- Bus Injury Claims: passengers who are injured because the owner has failed to maintain the bus, the driver is distracted, the operator is driving while overly tired or they were driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Boat, Cruise, or Jet Ski Injury Claims: when passengers are injured because of a lack of medical supplies, sailing at an excessive speed, watercraft malfunctions, or striking another vessel.
Depending on the type of accident and injuries, which can range from minor to life-threatening. The damages that an injury victim can recover will be proportional to the nature and severity of his or her harm. In many cases, a victim can receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, lost income and benefits, rehabilitation costs, and any other expenses arising from the accident.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against those whose negligence was responsible. Losing someone to an unexpected tragedy is a heavy burden to bear, but a wrongful death claim at least can ease the financial blow as you cope with the grieving process.
What Are Some of the Most Common Injuries Following an Accident?
The types of injuries that are usually seen by injury lawyers serving Belle Glade may result in many different mental and physical issues. Some of these include:
Serious Injuries Include:
Broken or Fractured Bones: symptoms of a broken or fractured bone after an accident include loss of function, sudden and severe pain in the affected area especially when in motion or applying pressure.
Internal Bleeding: symptoms of internal bleeding includes low blood pressure, numbness, weakness in one side of the body, dizziness and passing out.
Spinal Injuries: symptoms of an injury to the spine includes pressure, pain and stiffness in the back and neck area, loss of motion or control of the arms or legs, and signs of shock.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: according to the Mayo Clinic, a brain injury is usually a result of a jolt of the head or body, or a violent low to the head.
- Physical Signs of a brain injury include: headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, and losing consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- Cognitive or Mental Symptoms include loss of memory, problems concentrating, mood swings and feeling anxious or depressed.
Minor Injuries Include: Whiplash, Cuts, and Bruising
Personal Injury Claims: Types of Damages You Can Recover
- Past and Future Medical Care and Treatment
- Lost Wages and Loss of Future Income
- Pain and Suffering
- Property Damage
What You Should and Should Not Do After An Accident
If you’ve been injured, these are some things that you should remember:
- Report the accident and injury to the authorities and property owner
- See: Belle Glade Police Department | Call (561) 996-7251
- If possible, document the scene of the accident with videos, photos, and witness statements
- Seek Immediate Medical Care from a qualified medical professional
- Example: Lakeside Medical Center | Call (561) 659-1270
- Important: Keep a journal of your injuries, medical treatment, and how the injury has impacted your life
- You should never neglect your health or injuries
- You should seek medical care from a doctor who qualifies under PIP. Qualified doctors and treatment centers include most specialists, orthopedics, emergency room doctors, and chiropractors
- You should never give a recorded statement to the insurance company or try to negotiate a settlement before speaking with an experienced injury lawyer
- You should never post the details of your injury claim or accident on Facebook, Instagram or other Social Media Platforms.
Ask Attorney Ethan F. Kominsky: Do You Need An Injury Lawyer After A Car Accident in Florida?
The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been harmed because of someone else’s carelessness, you should have experienced legal representation on your side.
At Frankl Kominsky, our Florida accident lawyers are committed to assisting those injured victims in Belle Glade and throughout Palm Beach County. Our firm has over 40 years of combined legal experience handling accident and injury cases and we understand what it takes to try and prove a personal injury negligence claim. You can expect complete respect and professionalism from our licensed attorneys and legal staff. Our Injury Lawyers offer a Free Consultation by calling (561) 768-5461. Let us help you through this stressful time, our office is available 24/7 and we speak Spanish and Creole.
Injured in Belle Glade? Start Your Free Personal Injury Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, you should not hesitate to seek counsel from a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer serving Belle Glade. Helping victims in Belle Glade and throughout South Florida, the personal injury attorneys at Frankl Kominsky will help you aggressively pursue the financial compensation you deserve for the harm that you have suffered. We strive to maximize your chances of recovery. Our firm proudly represents clients across South Florida.
For a free case evaluation, you can contact us online or call us toll-free at (561) 768-5461. Spanish and Creole are spoken here.