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Florida Car Accident Injury Lawyers

Blakeley Law Firm is dedicated to serving individuals in South Florida and beyond who have suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions, or have lost family members to careless drivers. Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer Jarrett Blakeley devotes his entire practice to personal injury and wrongful death cases, working tirelessly to assert the rights of victims and survivors. Jarrett Blakeley enjoys getting to know his clients and will take the time to help you feel at ease during the course of your claim. Blakeley Law Firm is not satisfied until the client is satisfied, and we will zealously advocate on your behalf. Jarrett Blakeley represents accident victims throughout Broward County, as well as Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County. Call now to get the attention that you deserve.

Blakeley Law Firm will come to you after your accident. Just schedule a meeting at your home or even your hospital room, and we will meet with you to inform you of your rights and best course of action in the hours and days after this traumatic experience. An accident can be a terrible expense and burden, but Jarrett Blakeley will be there for you to guide you through your claim from beginning to end. The consultation is free, and time is precious. Call today to learn about your rights.

Personal Injury

Many personal injury lawsuits are pursued under a theory of negligence. A personal injury attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area will need to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant owed you a duty to use reasonable care, the defendant departed from the duty to use reasonable care, and this caused your injuries. A driver, a company, or an insurer might defend against a personal injury claim by arguing that an accident victim was to blame for their own injuries. However, if a plaintiff was partly to blame for an accident in which they were harmed, their recovery will amount to the proportion of fault attributed to the defendant.

Car Accidents

Car accidents can result in devastating injuries, including amputations, broken bones, traumatic head injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe burns. Florida is a no-fault insurance state. After a car accident in which you were injured, you first must turn to your own personal injury protection coverage. You can then sue for damages if your injury meets threshold requirements. Serious injuries that may allow you to sue include disfigurement, scarring, loss of bodily function, and fractures. You also can sue if a car accident left you substantially disabled for 90 days. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney can help you pursue the economic and non-economic damages to which you are entitled. These damages may include lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering, among other items.

Truck Accidents

Due to vehicle weight, truck accidents often cause injuries or deaths to multiple people. There may be numerous claims made against a truck driver’s insurance policy. It is important to evaluate all potential parties’ responsibility for an accident. A trucking company, for instance, may be vicariously liable for its employees’ negligence in the course of employment. It also can be held liable under a theory of negligent hiring, negligent training, or negligent supervision. Other parties whose culpability should be assessed and who should be brought into the lawsuit if responsible include any third-party loading company, mechanic, or manufacturer.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are unprotected when they collide with a larger vehicle. Under Florida law, motorcyclists are entitled to the same rights as people in other motor vehicles, except regarding certain special regulations. Unfortunately, insurers and juries are often biased against motorcyclists. They may look for ways in which you were at fault for your own injuries. You should not speak with the insurer for a driver until you have consulted a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has experience handling claims arising out of motorcycle accidents.

Bike Accidents

Like motorcyclists, bicyclists are largely unprotected and can suffer catastrophic injuries in an accident with a larger vehicle. They are also vulnerable to dooring accidents, in which a person in a parked vehicle opens a car door without checking for bicyclists. As an injured bicyclist in Florida, you must turn first to no-fault insurance. If you meet the threshold of serious injuries, though, you can move beyond no-fault insurance. In some cases, your attorney may need to retain an expert witness who can explain the full scope of your injuries and the associated costs.

Boat Accidents

In Florida, many people like to go out onto the water for recreation. Anyone who operates a boat must use the same ordinary care and skill that a reasonably prudent boater would use when faced with similar circumstances. To recover damages after a boating accident, you will need to show that the defendant did not operate their boat safely, thereby causing your injuries and damages. Boating accidents may be caused by issues such as operating the boat at excessive speeds, failing to pay due attention to the surroundings, lack of operator experience, lack of training, defective equipment, driving too closely to other boats, and boating while under the influence.

Jet Ski Accidents

Causes of jet ski accidents are similar to causes of boat accidents, including lack of experience, distractions, speeding, drug and alcohol use, underage operating, design or manufacturing defects, failure to vent fumes, and lack of safety warnings. Liability will depend on whether the defendant operated the jet ski in an appropriate way, given the water, weather, and maritime traffic. Your Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer may need to retain an accident reconstruction specialist to build the case. In some cases, a rental company that failed to maintain its jet skis properly may be held liable. It also may be held accountable if it knowingly rented a jet ski to an intoxicated person.

Wrongful Death

In Florida, a wrongful death claim can be filed if a person’s death occurred in circumstances in which a personal injury claim would be appropriate had they survived. For example, if your spouse was killed in a car accident for which another driver was at fault, you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. This action can be filed by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate for the benefit of the spouse, children, and parents of the decedent, along with any adoptive siblings or blood relatives who were partly or completely dependent on the decedent. Generally, you can recover damages incurred from the time of the accident to the time of death, along with interest. Future losses, such as lost income, can also be recovered.

Discuss Your Case With a Dedicated Personal Injury Attorney

Jarrett Blakeley is ready to fight for accident victims’ rights against an insurance company or an at-fault party. If you sustained injuries in a car crash or another accident in South Florida, you should consult Blakeley Law Firm. Our firm represents injured people and families in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties. Call (954) 253-9445 or complete our online form for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Should I Do If I Am in a Car Accident?

If you are in a car accident in Broward, Dade and/or Palm Beach Counties, where someone has been injured, you should immediately call 911, report the accident and request an ambulance. It is very important that you get a police report. Often, the person who caused the motor vehicle accident will ask you not to call the police and ask you to just handle it ‘between the two of you’. This is a terrible idea! There is a very good chance when you call that person they will never answer the phone! The smart thing to do is have the police come to the scene, investigate the accident and record all proof of insurance for all motor vehicles involved in the accident.

2. Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

If you are a victim of a car accident you need a lawyer because as businesses insurance companies are primarily concerned with making money. Insurance companies make money by collecting premiums, not paying out personal injury settlements. Studies have shown that claimants represented by attorneys net far more money than claimants that attempt to represent themselves. Jarrett Blakeley has handled thousands of claims and you haven’t handled any. Hire a professional for help in this serious, life-changing matter.

3. What Is a Personal Injury Case?

Any physical or mental injury you have suffered because of the negligence of another person and/or corporation. Common personal injury cases are car accident claims, slip and falls, truck accident claims, boat accident claims, pedestrian accident claims and bicycle accident claims. Personal injury cases can be large or small. A broken finger or a bulging disc in your neck is obviously not as big as a case involving a broken leg, a herniated disc in your neck or a case involving paralysis.

4. If I Am in a Car Accident Should I Call the Police?

Yes. Call the police. You need them to investigate your accident and you need a police report. You can have a personal injury car accident case without an accident report, but it is often much harder to prove to how the accident happened and even obtain the Defendant's insurance information without one. Ask the police officer to make a report and get the report number.

5. Should I Speak to the Other Driver's Insurance Company About the Accident in Which I Suffered a Personal Injury?

No, you should call a personal injury attorney to communicate with the adverse party's insurance company. We can set up the claim for you. It is in your best interest to speak with an attorney before you make contact with the Defendant's insurance company, or any insurance company for that matter.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"A firm who works hard for you, cares for their clients and professional. I was nervous about the process but Mr. Blakeley and his team treated me like family. They answered all my questions and were a great support. I highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for a personal injury/wrongful death firm. Thank you Blakeley Law Firm." - Rashaad A.
★★★★★
"I have to say Jarrett is one of the best car accident attorneys out there! Super friendly & communicable. Easy to get in touch with when you have any questions, and always calls right back! Also, his assistant Karyn is super friendly and there to answer your question when Jarrett is not available! You guys are truly the best!" - Reanna R.
★★★★★
"Got wonderful service and help during a very bad experience. Would give them 10 stars if I could." - Diane W.
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