Miami Gardens Car Accident Lawyer

Miami Gardens, located in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, is a principal city in the Miami metropolitan area. It is home to the Miami Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium. As is typical in large metropolitan areas, car accidents happen frequently, leaving thousands each year injured, or even dead. In the time span from 2012-2014, the most recent available statistical years, a total of 43,528 people were either injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident in Miami-Dade County. Of those 43,528, 312 were fatalities. The majority of those seriously injured in these accidents were taken to the Emergency Department of Jackson North Medical Center.

In 2016, Miami-Dade County joined the Department of Transportation's challenge to keep the streets safer for all modes of transportation. Even though they made this pledge, there are still some extremely dangerous intersections in the county. Some of the most dangerous intersections in Miami-Dade County are NE 2^ndAvenue and 36^thStreet, SW 117^thAvenue and Kendall Drive, and NE 1^stAvenue and NE 6^thStreet. If you are a motorist in the Miami Gardens area, you should avoid these intersections whenever possible.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an automobile accident, contact the attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers. We offer a free initial consultation and will guide you as to your legal options.

Top Causes of Car Accidents in Miami Gardens

While the number of car accidents in Miami Gardens is gradually decreasing, the most common causes for car accidents remain the same. If you are involved in one of the accidents below, contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers. We are available to assist you with your accident, including those that are caused by the following:

• Accidents Involving Drunk or DUI Drivers
  • In the United States, 28 people die each day from crashes involving a drunk or DUI driver. In the state of Florida, a driver is considered to be under the influence if their blood alcohol content is .08% or greater.
• Rear-End Collisions
  • If you are involved in a rear-end collision, there is a rebuttable presumption in Florida that the driver in the rear car is at fault. However, there may be extenuating circumstances. Every accident, no matter how clear cut, will be investigated carefully when filing a claim.
• Distracted Drivers
  • In 2016, almost 50,000 crashes in the state of Florida alone were attributed to some form of distracted driving. Nowadays, there are many different ways to be distracted while driving. There are many national campaigns that bring attention to the dangers of texting and driving. While this is a huge distraction, other common distractions that cause car accidents are adjusting the stereo, interacting with passengers, or even interacting with a pet.
• Inexperienced Drivers
  • Inexperienced drivers are not just teenagers. Technically, you are considered an inexperienced driver until you are 25 years of age. People in this age range are involved in many accidents as their driving skills are not yet fully developed. It is important to not only properly educate new drivers, but to make sure they get an ample amount of practice time with an experienced driver.
• Crashes Involving Motorcycles, Bikes, Pedestrians, or Commercial Vehicles
  • Accidents involving motorcycles, bikes, pedestrians, or commercial vehicles are also common. The legal team at Frankl Kominsky can assist with these types of accident claims as well.

Injuries Sustained in a Miami Gardens Car Crash

Victims of motor vehicle accidents can experience a wide range of injuries from minor to serious, and even to death. The legal team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are prepared to help you navigate the claim's process. We will fight for your right to the fair and just compensation you deserve. Some of the most common injuries accident victims experience are listed below.

• Cuts and Bruises
  • Cuts and bruises may seem like they are the most minor of the injuries on this list. However, severe cuts or bruises may result in a lot of lost blood or internal bleeding. Some lacerations are so deep that require stitches and may result in permanent scarring. It is important to get any injury, no matter how severe, checked out by a medical professional.
• Soft Tissue Injuries
  • When damage is done to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons of the body, it is called a soft tissue injury. These soft tissue areas of your body can be strained, stretched, or even torn depending on the severity of the accident. These types of injuries may require physical therapy, or even surgery.
• Broken or Fractured Bones
  • Broken bones happen when severe force causes so much pressure on your bones that they fracture. Broken bones can happen in any type of car accident and any part of the body. If you think you have a broken bone due to a car accident, you should seek the help of a medical professional. Broken bones need to be set in order to heal properly.
• Whiplash
  • Whiplash is a neck injury. It is caused by the forceful and/or quick back-and-forth movement of the neck. It is a common injury resulting from rear-end collisions. If you have whiplash, you may need to wear a neck brace to limit movement in your neck so that healing can occur.
• Back Injuries
  • There are many different things that can go wrong with your back, especially during a car accident. Back injuries include herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and muscle sprains and strains.
• Neck Injuries
  • Neck injuries are similar to back injuries in that they include damage to vertebrae or discs in your neck. It is extremely common to get a neck injury from a car accident because your neck is not protected by the seat belt and allows your head to move during serious impact.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries are also known as TBI. They are categorized as damage to the brain that is caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. Traumatic brain injuries range in severity, but all should be taken very seriously as they can affect brain function. Treatment for TBI varies greatly, from rest and medication, to prolonged hospital care.
• Spine Injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries are defined as damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function or mobility. When an injury involves your spinal cord, it has the potential to be very serious and even alter your way of life. In many cases, a spinal cord injury can cause a loss of mobility.

What Damages Can I Pursue After A Car Accident in Miami Gardens?

After a car accident, it is easy to be flustered and not fully understand what damages you may be entitled to claim. It is important to know your legal rights. Below is a list of damages you can pursue after a car accident. The experienced attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are dedicated to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

• Past and Future Medical Bills
  • If you are injured in a car accident, you can make a claim that will compensate you for your medical bills. This includes the ambulance bill, emergency room visit, doctor appointments, diagnostic testing including x-rays or an MRI, prescriptions, physical therapy or surgery. Also, if your injury involves some sort of long term care or therapy, you may also be able to receive compensation for future bills as well.
• Temporary or Permanent Disability
  • If the injuries you sustain from a car accident leave you permanently or temporarily disabled, you can file a claim after your accident. Temporary disability is an injury that prohibits you from working for a short period of time. Permanent disability is an injury that affects you for the rest of your life.
• Vehicle or Property Damage
  • In almost every car accident, some sort of vehicle or property damage occurs. If this is the case for you, you can submit a claim to receive compensation to either repair the damages or replace the vehicle or property that was damaged.
• Lost Wages and/or Benefits
  • When you are injured in an accident, it has the possibility to affect your job performance. It can even affect your ability to attend your job for a long period of time. If this is the case, you can claim for lost wages and/or benefits for the money you lost due to your injury.
• Reduced Earning Potential
  • Similar to lost wages and/or benefits, you are entitled to compensation due to lost or reduced earning potential. This includes missing an important job interview or sales meeting.
• Pain and Suffering / Diminished Quality of Life
  • Quality of life is different for each and every person. However, in general, quality of life refers to a person's well-being and ability to enjoy their everyday life. If a car, motorcycle, or bike accident diminishes your quality of life in any way, you are entitled to pursue compensation.
• Loss of Consortium-research
  • A loss of consortium claim is a claim that can only be filed by a spouse or family member of the injured party. Loss of consortium means that the injured person is not able to provide the same amount of love, services or support as they were able to prior to their accident. Typically, this claim is relevant only if the injured party experiences life-altering injuries.
• Disfigurement
  • Disfigurement is any action that permanently alters your appearance. While this type of injury typically only happens in severe accidents, it is still very common and requires a great deal of medical care.
• Funeral and Burial Expenses
  • Funeral and burial expenses can be claimed if the person in the car accident has died. This claim needs to be made by the spouse or immediate family of the deceased individual.

How To Protect Yourself After A Miami Gardens Auto Accident

After you are involved in a car accident in Miami Gardens, there is a certain list of steps that you may choose to take. The list below details the proper steps to complete after your car accident. If you have questions or concerns about what to do, do not hesitate to call us. We can help you navigate these steps and strive to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

• Obtain accident reports from police
  • The very first thing that you should do immediately after a motor vehicle accident is to contact the police. Even if the accident is minor, it is imperative that you contact the police so that they can follow the necessary steps to file an official police report. Be sure to get a copy of the report along with the Driver's Exchange of Information.
• Eyewitness statements
  • If there are others around that witness your accident, they should be contacted and interviewed. Get their contact information including their name, address, email and phone number.
• Video & Pictures from the scene of the accident
  • It is extremely important to take pictures and video of the accident scene before any people or vehicles leave. This will help properly document evidence. If you are the person taking pictures at the scene of the accident, make sure to take more than you think you'll need. Take pictures of any vehicles involved in the accident, the surrounding area, and even the weather conditions if they could have affected driving. You can also take photos of your injuries.
• Seek immediate medical care and gather your medical records
  • If you are injured in a car accident, you should seek medical care immediately. Even if the injury is minor, it is essential that you see a medical professional for care. Many times, what seems like a minor injury can many times be more serious. You may go to a local hospital, your own physician or any qualified medical professional.
• Other documentation of your injuries
  • Any other types of documentation of your injuries or accident should be collected and ready if you are filing a claim.

Should You Handle Your Car Accident Claim without an Attorney?