Jacksonville Car Accidents

More people live in Jacksonville than in any other town in Florida, and the city and surrounding suburbs continue to grow. As the population increases, so do the number of drivers on the road, increasing the risk of collisions. Accidents can happen anywhere, but some Jacksonville roads are more dangerous than others and pose a greater likelihood of crashes. For example, hundreds of accidents occur each year on I-95 near Lem Turner Road, Emerson Street, Forest Street, and Kings Road. Crashes often happen at intersections as well, including those at I-95 and Myrtle Avenue North, I-295 and Commonwealth Avenue and I-10 and Roosevelt Boulevard. Regardless of where they occur, most collisions arise from careless driving, and motorists who recklessly cause harmful accidents should be held accountable.

If you were hurt in a crash in Jacksonville, it is smart to speak to an attorney regarding your potential claims. Jarrett Blakeley of Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. is a seasoned Jacksonville car accident lawyer, and if you hire him, he will work tirelessly to help you seek any compensation you may be owed. Mr. Blakeley has offices in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens and Jacksonville and he and regularly helps people hurt in car crashes in cities throughout Florida.

Fault is a key element of lawsuits arising out of car crashes. Thus, any evidence that may establish how an accident occurred, like a police report, may be helpful to a plaintiff. People can obtain police reports for accidents that happened in Jacksonville through the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (the Office). Parties can seek reports in person from any of the Office’s six substations and the Police Memorial Building, located at 501 East Bay Street. Notably, the Office does not have reports for crashes investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol or any surrounding jurisdictions. If an agency other than the Office investigated a crash, a report can be requested via that agency.

Car crashes often cause significant injuries and economic losses. As such, people who are injured in collisions may wish to pursue damages from the responsible parties in civil lawsuits. Generally, a plaintiff in a car accident case will assert a negligence claim against the defendant.

Negligence is comprised of four elements, and a plaintiff must prove each element to obtain a favorable verdict. First, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty. In some instances, the duty is to act as a reasonable person would under the circumstances, but it may also be an obligation imposed by law. Next, the plaintiff has to demonstrate that the defendant breached the duty in some way. For example, if the defendant was speeding at the time of the accident or texting while driving, it may constitute a breach of the duty to drive in a safe manner.

The final two elements of negligence are damages and causation. In other words, the plaintiff must show that he or she suffered actual losses due to the crash and that the defendant’s behavior directly caused the accident and subsequent harm. While the defendant’s acts or omissions do not have to be the sole cause of the plaintiff’s damages, the plaintiff must show that they would not have occurred but for the defendant’s departure from the standard of care. A plaintiff that successfully establishes a defendant’s fault may be awarded compensation for the financial harm caused by the accident, such as the cost of medical care, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses, and for the non-economic injuries, like pain, suffering, and mental anguish.

Thousands of car crashes occur in Jacksonville each year, and in many instances, they cause life-altering injuries. If you were wounded in a car accident in Jacksonville caused by another party’s negligence, you may be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney. Jarrett Blakeley of Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. is a trusted Florida car accident attorney who can advise you of your rights and help you to seek the full amount of compensation available under the law. Mr. Blakely has offices in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens and Jacksonville and regularly represents parties in lawsuits arising out of car accidents in Broward, Miami Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. You can reach Mr. Blakeley at (904) 821-7816 or via the online form to set up a meeting.