Car Accident Lawyer Serving Riviera Beach

Florida has one of the highest cases of car accidents in the US, most of which lead to fatalities. According to the latest DMV Florida stats, over 300,000 crashes occur in the state every year. Moreover, on average, about 2,600 fatal crashes happen in the state each year.

In Riviera Beach, FL, fatal crashes are lower as compared to the state average. But the crashes may lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. The most deadly year was 2006. That year, over 100 people died in fatal crashes in Riviera Beach, FL.

The most dangerous road for drivers travelling in Palm Beach County is the intersection of North Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard.

If you have sustained an injury in a car accident, our car accident lawyers serving Riviera Beach can help you. Our attorneys have years of experience in dealing with accident cases. Contact us today for assistance in establishing a claim or filing a lawsuit.

Car accidents can occur due to several reasons. While some traffic accidents are minor, most of them lead to serious injuries. Here are some of the main causes of auto accidents in Riviera Beach, FL.

Many accidents in Riviera Beach are due to driving while intoxicated (DWI). As per Florida law, a driver is drunk if their blood alcohol limit is above 0.08% or above.

Drunk drivers in Riviera Beach often cause serious accidents. They may drive recklessly, leading to an accident. The most recent DMV Florida statistics show that there were nearly 5,223 DUI-related traffic accidents. The accidents involving reckless drivers due to being drunk resulted in 3,160 injuries and 461 fatalities.

Alcohol-related car accidents are costly in terms of injuries, damage to vehicles, lost driving privileges, and most importantly- the loss of lives. In 2016, 5,223 alcohol-related traffic accidents were reported, which resulted in over 461 deaths and 3,160 injuries.

Drunk driving involves harsh penalties. These penalties depend on the seriousness of the accident and prior offense. The following table shows the penalties for DUI in Florida.

Another common reason for traffic accidents in Riviera Beach is making wrong turns. Lapses in judgment when making a turn can lead to a serious accident.

A lot of accidents happen when drivers don't use their signal when making a turn. Moreover, not giving the 'right-of-way' when turning also leads to traffic accidents.

Distraction is yet another common reason for traffic accidents in Riviera Beach. Florida. One of the common reasons for distraction is texting and driving.

Distracted driving often leads to fatal accidents. Texting when driving forces people to take their eyes off the roadway. This significantly increases the risk of an accident.

Speeding is one of the common causes of traffic accidents. According to the NHTSA statistics, about 9,717 individuals had died in 2017 due to speeding. Speeding had accounted for about a quarter of all traffic fatalities during the year.

A driver traveling at a fast speed will have less time to react in case of an emergency. Moreover, high-speed collisions can lead to serious injuries. Speeding only 5 mph higher than the limit can result in a deadly accident.

Side impact crashes often lead to a devastating traffic accident. Side-impact crashes account for about 27% of car-related deaths in the US. The crashes include T-bone accidents that happen when a car driver does not stop and give the 'right of way'. The side of a car has less space to shield passengers. As a result, side-impact crashes often result in serious injuries.

Rear-end car accidents rank as a common cause of traffic accidents in Florida. According to the Consumer Reports, about one rear-end car accident occurs every 17 seconds.

Rear-end collisions can lead to minor or serious injuries. Common injuries include strains, sprains, herniated discs, and whiplash injuries.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that about 10% of traffic accidents occur due to fatigue. The fatigue can lead to reduced attention when driving. Moreover, driver fatigue results in slower reaction times.

Tired drivers can't make correct judgments when driving. The drivers may vary the speed when tired. They may also daydream or become irritable. This may contribute to a car collision.

A fatigued driver may fall into micro-sleep resulting in an accident. Losing consciousness even for a few seconds can lead to a deadly accident.

Many accidents in Riviera Beach, FL involve motorcycles. Accidents involving motorcycles can often be serious. They can often lead to serious injuries to the motorcycle driver.

Accidents involving motorcycles are not always the fault of a car driver. The accident can occur when a motorcycle driver does not look at the turn signal. Sometimes the accident occurs due to the motorcycle driver blind spot. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road making them difficult to see.

Potholes are another common reason for car accidents. The state or municipality has the responsibility of repairing potholes. Trying to avoid potholes can sometimes lead to serious accidents.

A lot of drivers get into car accidents while working. The accidents are not always the fault of a driver. Sometimes the employer is liable for the accident. This is the case when the employer does not maintain the vehicle. If someone is injured in a car accident by a worker driving a commercially owned vehicle then that person may be able to file a claim against the worker’s employer.

Our auto accident lawyers can help you try to make a claim against the commercial vehicle owner. We can try to help you make a claim against an employer who did not maintain the car or provide proper training.

The injuries sustained in a car accident are often times serious. The injuries can lead to temporary or permanent disability. Here are some of the common types of injuries sustained after a car accident in Riviera Beach, FL.

• Back Injuries
• Neck Injuries
• Broken or Fractured Bones
• Whiplash
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spine Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Cuts and Bruises

Our experienced lawyers can try to help you determine your damages that have resulted from a car accident. We will help you pursue the economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver.

Economic damages refer to the losses that are quantifiable. Examples of economic losses include medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Some of the economic damages you can claim in a car accident case include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages and/or benefits
• Reduced earning potential
• Vehicle or property damage
• Funeral and burial expenses

In contrast, non-economic damages cannot be quantified. Our attorneys may try to use formulas such as the multiplier method to try and determine an adequate compensation amount. Some examples of non-economic damages include the following:

• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Temporary or permanent disability
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, here are some suggested steps you may choose to take:

• Be sure to get the accident report from the police department. Here are the contact details of the policy department located in Riviera Beach, FL.

Riviera Beach Police Department

600 W. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Monday-Friday (8:00 am to 6:00 pm)
Call 561-845-4123

• Obtain eyewitness contact information and statements, if possible
• Take pictures and videos from the accident scene and of your injuries
• Seek immediate Medical Care and gather your medical records. Here are the contact details of two hospitals located in Riviera Beach, FL.

Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches

5555 W. Blue Heron Boulevard, Riviera Beach, FL 33418
Call 561-840-0754

Riviera Beach Urgent Care

31 W 20th St, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Call 561-510-0471

• Keep a record of all documentation related to your injuries including prescriptions, medication bills, missed time from work and any other expenses

Can I sue the driver of the car I was riding in if I was injured in a Florida car accident?

Remember that you need to file the case within the time frame mentioned in the Florida Statute of Limitation. The time limit for filing a car accident injury case is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time period, it is likely that your lawsuit will be dismissed and you will be barred from pursuing a claim. If a loved one died as the result of a car accident, then in a wrongful death claim, the Statute of Limitations is two years from the date of death. Contact an experienced car accident attorney for further guidance.

Obtaining car accident compensation involves a lengthy process. At Frankl Kominsky, our car crash attorneys can help you in getting compensation. We can assist you throughout each stage of getting compensation for your losses.

First things first, if you are involved in a car accident, visit a hospital and get your injuries checked. This will not only ensure that you get proper medical attention for wounds and injuries that might not be too obvious, but it will ascertain the depth of your injuries, which can be invaluable to your car accident lawyer when it comes to making a claim.

Hospitals in Riviera Beach include Dedicated Senior Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center. You should also report the car accident to the Riviera Beach Police Department so that a proper investigation can be conducted and priceless evidence can be collected before it is gone.

1. Establish a Claim for Car Accident

   The first step is to establish a claim for the automobile accident. This involves giving notice to the at-fault driver's insurance company. The notice informs about the damages covered in an insurance policy.

   Timely delivery of the notice is important to establish a claim. The insurance firm can possibly file a declaratory judgment action if you don't give the notice on time.

   By establishing a claim, the insurance company is notified about the details of the auto accident. This will help in assessing the damages to the car accident. If the driver is not insured, the under-insured motorist carrier must be notified.

   Our attorneys can set up the claim with the at-fault party's insurance company and get a claim number. The claim number is used when negotiating with the insurance company.

   An insurance company may send you a 'reservation of rights' letter once you establish a claim. The letter informs that the insurance company is investigating your claim. This insurance company writes the letter to avoid any liability in case the claim is not valid.

2. Investigation Process

   Evidence should be gathered to support your claim. This may include medical records and bills, witness statements and the police report.

   Our attorneys can assist in obtaining these items. In addition, if available, we can try to gain access to video footage of the accident.

3. Try to Negotiate with the Insurance Company

   The adjuster will likely assess your claim and accept it or make a counteroffer. The counter-offer may be lower than the amount requested in the claim. You may choose to offer a counteroffer that is lower than your original claim but higher than the adjuster's offer.

   Be sure that you consult with a car accident attorney before accepting any offer. An experienced attorney may be able to advise you as to whether the offer is a fair settlement.

4. Pre-litigation and Demand Process

   In the pre-litigation stage, you can agree to a settlement of your claim without going to court. This stage involves sending a demand letter and negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

   An out-of-court settlement can sometimes benefit both parties. Your attorney should guide you whether you should accept the offer or proceed to litigation.

5. Litigation

   In certain situations you may choose to proceed with a lawsuit. Litigation involves filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party to pursue compensation for damages. Speak to your attorney for guidance on whether you should proceed with a lawsuit against the responsible party.

   The attorneys at Frankl Kominsky are available to file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in your claim.

Car accidents are never a pleasant experience. If you have sustained an injury in a car accident or know someone who has, you should contact Frankl Kominsky. The initial consultation is free. Contact us today at 561-701-9992 and schedule a detailed review of your car accident case.

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