Florida Lawyer Representing People Hurt in Collisions in Broward County
Broward County is home to close to two million residents and is a popular tourist destination. As such, roads throughout the County are often congested. Generally, the more motorists that travel a road, the more likely it is that collisions will occur, and busy roads like I-95, the Florida Turnpike, and University Drive are frequent sites of accidents. Crashes also regularly occur at the intersections of 103rd Street and Firestone Road and Kernan and Atlantic Boulevards.
While a variety of factors can cause collisions, unsafe driving plays a role in bringing about most crashes. If you sustained harm in a car accident in Broward County, you may be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Jarrett Blakeley of Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. is a dedicated Broward County car accident lawyer who takes pride in aiding injured parties in the pursuit of justice, and if you engage his services, he will fight to help you protect your interests. Mr. Blakeley has offices in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens and Jacksonville and he routinely helps people injured in car accidents seek damages throughout Florida.
Getting a Police Report Following a Broward County Accident
Typically, after a collision occurs, one of the parties involved in the accident will call the police, who will investigate the cause of the accident. In such instances, reports drafted by the police can be helpful in proving fault in a civil lawsuit.
To obtain a police report for a collision that happened in Broward County, parties must submit a records request via the online portal of the Broward Sheriff’s Office website. If the request is made within sixty days of the crash, the requesting party must complete a Request for Traffic Crash Report Information Form (the Form) demonstrating he or she is eligible to receive the report and must attach the completed form to the online request. The Form is not necessary if the request is made more than sixty days after the accident occurred. There may be fees associated with a records request as well.
Establishing Liability for a Broward County Car Accident
Dangerous roadways, distracted driving, inclement weather, and defective vehicles can all cause or contribute to car accidents. In most instances, though, regardless of the exact circumstances that led to a crash, negligent behavior is the root cause. As such, a plaintiff seeking damages for a car accident will typically assert a negligence claim against the defendant. To prove negligence, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant had a duty to act with reasonable care, but the defendant’s behavior demonstrates a breach of the duty owed. The plaintiff then has to prove that the defendant’s breach proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer calculable harm. In other words, that the accident would not have occurred unless the defendant departed from the standard of care.
In some instances, a defendant may attempt to avoid liability by arguing that the plaintiff caused the accident, and therefore should be denied compensation. Florida is a pure comparative fault state, however. This means that even if a judge or jury determines assigns a plaintiff fault for a collision, he or she can still recover damages, they will merely be reduced in proportion to the percentage of his or her fault.
Meet With an Experienced Florida Car Accident Lawyer
Car crashes occur daily in Broward County, and they often cause significant injuries that are not only debilitating but are also costly to treat. If you were hurt in a car accident, you should meet with a Broward County car accident lawyer to discuss your right to pursue compensation. Jarrett Blakeley of Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. is an experienced lawyer with the skills and experience needed to help you seek a successful result, and if you retain him, he will work tirelessly on your behalf. Mr. Blakeley’s offices are in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens and Jacksonville, and he frequently represents people in car accident cases in Broward, Miami Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. You can contact Mr. Blakeley through the online form or by calling (800) 602-5000 to schedule a meeting.