Car Accidents

South Florida has a lot going for it; however, this part of the country isn’t exactly known for its good drivers. As a result, it’s no surprise that Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties all have a high rate of car accidents. In fact, about a third of all Florida motor vehicle accidents occur in just these three counties. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., our team of Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers has been helping accident victims and their families recover meaningful compensation for everything they’ve been through. From helping you find the best medical care to dealing with difficult insurance companies to litigating personal injury claims in front of a jury, Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. has the skill, resources, and dedication you need to feel comfortable trusting us with your case.

Car accidents happen for a variety of reasons. However, accidents don’t “just happen,” they are almost always the direct result of a driver not following the basic rules of the road. Over the past 15 years, we’ve handled almost every type of accident and, in our experience, some of the most common causes of Fort Lauderdale auto accidents include:

• Distracted driving,
• Impaired driving,
• Drowsy driving,
• Equipment defects,
• Failure to yield the right of way,
• Aggressive driving, and
• Poor judgment.

Of course, you may not know what caused an accident, and that’s completely understandable. Rarely will another driver willingly admit that they were drunk, using their cell phone, or falling asleep behind the wheel. However, the Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at the Blakely Law Firm, P.A., know where to look to find evidence of another driver’s negligence. We can also assist those who were injured in an accident caused by a driver who didn’t have insurance.

Florida law allows accident victims to recover various types of damages, including economic damages, non-economic damages and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Economic damages refer to the out-of-pocket costs you were forced to cover as a direct result of the accident. For example, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, decrease in earning capacity, and property damage are all common forms of economic damages.

Non-economic damages provide accident victims with compensation for the emotional and psychological impact that the accident and their injuries had on their life. For example, what did you miss out on doing because of the accident? Did you miss a grandchild’s wedding or family vacation? Can you no longer participate in the activities you used to enjoy? Have your physical limitations interfered with your relationship with your spouse or children? These are all factors in a non-economic damages award.

Punitive damages are unique in that the focus here isn’t on the victim. Instead, punitive damages are intended to punish others for their “intentional conduct” or “gross negligence.” Punitive damages are not available in every case, or even in most cases, but when they are appropriate, they can be significant.

Yes, even if you shared responsibility for an accident you can still bring a personal injury lawsuit against another at-fault driver. Florida uses a legal doctrine called pure comparative negligence when deciding which people can bring a lawsuit and how much they can recover. Under a pure comparative negligence analysis, anyone can bring a lawsuit regardless of their fault; however, their damages award will be reduced by their own percentage of fault.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you probably have a lot of questions and a lot fewer answers. At the Blakely Law Firm, P.A., we understand what you’re going through and are here to help answer your questions so you can make the best decision on how to proceed. Attorney Jarrett Blakely and his team of personal injury and wrongful death lawyers have decades of combined experience helping Florida car accident victims strategically pursue maximum compensation for their injuries. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients and will never bill you for our services unless we win your case through a favorable settlement or jury verdict. To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form.