Fatal Car Accidents

Compassionate Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyers Aggressively Pursue Justice on Behalf of Grieving Families

Each year in Florida, over 3,000 people lose their lives in fatal car accidents. While a small percentage of these collisions may be true accidents, the vast majority were caused by driver negligence. And while nothing can bring back a loved one whose life was senselessly ended too early, through a wrongful death lawsuit, grieving families can recover financial compensation that will ease their financial burdens and hold the at-fault party accountable.

At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we believe that losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is a tragedy that no family should have to endure. And our dedicated Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers are here to help. We have more than two decades of hands-on experience helping connect families with meaningful compensation and are immediately available to meet with you to discuss your rights and advise you of your options.

Is Florida a Dangerous State for Driving?

Yes, when it comes to car accidents, Florida ranks near the top of the list. According to the most recent data, Florida has the third highest number of fatal car accidents in the United States, behind California and Texas. For example, based on data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 3,454 fatal car accidents resulting in 3,741 deaths. This represents an increase of more than 12 percent from the year before.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Fatal Florida Car Accidents?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) tracks all car accident data. Based on the most recent FLHSMV data, the following are the most common causes of fatal traffic accidents:

  • Negligent operation (775 fatal accidents)
  • Failure to yield the right of way (474 fatal accidents)
  • Lane departure (316 fatal accidents)
  • Speeding (283 fatal accidents)
  • Running a red light or stop sign (170 fatal accidents)
  • Reckless driving (127 fatal accidents)
  • Driving the wrong way (120 fatal accidents)

The two most common reasons for these accidents are impaired driving and distracted driving. Families who lost a loved one in a Fort Lauderdale car accident are entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

wrongful death lawsuit is a type of personal injury claim brought by the personal representative of the accident victim’s estate. Usually, a personal representative is named in the deceased’s will; however, if someone dies without a will, the court will appoint a personal representative, often a family member.

Proving a wrongful death lawsuit requires the plaintiff to establish each of the following elements:

  1. The other driver owed the victim a duty of care;
  2. The other driver violated that duty of care; and
  3. The other driver’s negligent actions caused the victim’s death.

If the personal representative proves each of the following, the court will award money damages, which are payable to the victim’s loved ones through their estate. While damages awards vary depending on the case, typically, these cases provide compensation for the following:

  • Medical and funeral expenses paid by surviving family members;
  • Emotional pain and suffering of surviving loved ones;
  • Loss of parental instruction, guidance, and companionship;
  • Loss of the deceased person’s protection and companionship; and
  • Loss of the support and services provided by the deceased.

However, those interested in pursuing a Florida wrongful death claim should first consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer, as these cases are complex, and families only have one opportunity to bring a case.

Discuss Your Wrongful Death Case with a Knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

If you recently lost a loved one in a car accident, filing a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death claim may provide your family with both the closure and financial compensation you need to start the process of moving on with your lives. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we understand that this is an exceptionally difficult time for you and your family, and we want to help in any way we can. We offer free, no-obligation and no-pressure consultations, during which we will listen to your story, outline the recovery process, answer your questions and explain how we can help. If you decide to move forward with your case, we will not bill you for any of our services unless and until we secure compensation for your family. 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.