What Is the KABCO Injury Scale?
The KABCO scale was created by the Federal Highway Administration to evaluate the severity of a car crash and determine how much you should receive out of a settlement depending on the severity. Car accidents that are eligible to step out of the no-fault system are all worth a lot of money, and the accident settlements are worth even more when there are deaths that occur as a result of the crash. The KABCO scale is set up in Florida as follows:- K = a fatality resulting from the crash
- A = Incapacitating injuries such as disabling, amputation, and more
- B = the victim has a few injuries such as cuts and scrapes but are not incapacitating
- C = there is possible injury, but on a lesser scale
- O = there were no apparent injuries at the scene
How Does the KABCO Scale Work in Florida?
Now that you know what the KABCO scale is, you might be wondering how it works in a car accident case in Boynton Beach, Florida. When you are in an accident and call the police to the scene, they are responsible for assessing the damage and assigning the KABCO scale on the report. When the police file a report of the accident and assign your case a letter, it will be officially documented, and your lawyer can use it later in your case as evidence. Once the severity of your injuries has been noted, your case will be worth a certain amount in your personal injury case.What To Do After an Accident in Florida?
To optimize your KABCO scale score, there are things you should always do after being involved in a car accident in Florida. The first, as we have mentioned before, is to notify law enforcement and call them out to the scene. Not only will your KABCO score be used as evidence later, but the entire police report can be used as evidence if your case is eligible to step out of the no-fault system. Police reports are unbiased and give detailed information of the accident, how things transpired, and who was at-fault. After speaking to law enforcement, it’s important that you get yourself checked out by medical professionals. Since injuries are a big factor in the KABCO scale, you need to be observed by medical professionals to see where you fall on the scale unless it’s painfully obvious. Medical records can also be used as evidence in your case. While it’s very helpful for evidence purposes, it’s also important for your own health to ensure you’re healthy and not suffering from an unknown internal injury. You should also collect the contact information of the other party in case you need to file a lawsuit against them later. The best thing to obtain is their name, phone number, and insurance information that your lawyer can use later on. It is also a smart idea to find a work injury lawyer in Port St. Lucie as soon as you can to help understand your legal rights and give you advice on what to do next.When To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Florida has specific laws in place to limit the number of lawsuits that are filed from car accidents. Because of this, it is a requirement that you seek assistance from your financial company first. However, there are two scenarios that allow you to step out of the no-fault system and able to file a lawsuit:- Medical bills resulting in several thousand dollars
- Sustaining a severe injury
