The last thing you expect when you leave home for a commute to work or school is to deal with the catastrophic effects of a car accident. However, residents of Jacksonville must deal with this reality, as it is one of the most dangerous cities for driving in Florida. The city has congested state roads, like Interstate 95, that can become dangerous when drivers behave negligently behind the wheel with behavior like distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding.
An auto accident can leave victims with steep medical costs, lost earning potential, property damage, and pain and suffering. Most people will not have the financial means to pay for the full cost of their damages. If you wish to pursue compensation for your damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company, you can file a car accident claim. The car accident lawyers at Russo aw Firm have decades of experience helping car accident victims and can apply that experience to your case.
Why Choose Russo Law Group for Your Jacksonville Car Accident Claim?
Car accidents can have a devastating physical and emotional impact on victims. You will likely suffer severe physical injuries, but the auto accident can also cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental anguish. The shock of the accident and the trauma that reverberates through your life can have an effect that can lead to long-term suffering. You need a car accident lawyer representing you that understands this pain and can take it into account during the claims process.
At Russo Law Firm, our car accident lawyers have been helping Jacksonville car accident victims for decades. We have an intimate understanding of a victim’s state of mind in the aftermath of an auto accident. Allow our experienced car accident attorneys to address your claim by putting you at ease with constant communication, specialized legal advice, and a legal plan that addresses your thoughts and concerns.
Our main goal is to ensure you receive a settlement or award that can pay for the full cost of your injuries. Along the way, we hope our car accident lawyers can relieve some of the stress of the car accident so that you can work toward physical and emotional recovery. Contact Russo Law Firm today for a free consultation to learn how our car accident lawyers can help you.
Russo Law Firm Case Results
At Russo Law Firm, we want to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages by continuing the car accident claim until that occurs. Many personal injury lawyers will settle for a low, early settlement to end the claim simply and easily. This puts the victim in a poor position, as these early settlements rarely account for future damages that can occur because of severe car accident injuries.
We consider future costs when assessing your damages and will only settle if that is accounted for in your compensation. Our experienced car accident lawyers use their expertise and resources to litigate the claim, only settling when a deal for fair compensation is reached. If we cannot come to a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company, we have no issue representing you in court.
The following are some of the case results Russo Law Firm has earned for clients:
- 3.3 Million for Automobile Accident Against a Drunk Driver
- $2.4 Million for Medical Malpractice Misdiagnosis
- $2 Million for Wrongful Death Trucking Accident
- $1.75 Million Product Liability Jury Award for Crushed Hand
- $650 Thousand Automobile Accident Jury Award for Reconstructed Knee
Florida Car Accident Laws
Jacksonville is subject to Florida’s rules regarding car accidents as outlined in its state statutes. According to Florida Statute 316.065, any driver involved in a car crash that resulted in injury, death, or property damage of at least $500 must contact the local police department to notify them of the car crash.
A Florida crash report must be completed within ten days of the car accident. It must include the following:
- The date, time, and location of the car accident
- Descriptions of the vehicles involved (make, model, color, damage, etc.)
- Names and addresses of all parties involved (drivers and passengers)
- Names and addresses of witnesses
- The investigating officer’s name, badge number, and law enforcement agency
- The names of the insurance companies of each party involved in the car crash
Those involved in car accident litigation can access this traffic crash report to bolster their injury claim. If one party behaved negligently behind the wheel, the car accident victim is allowed by law to file a car accident claim with their at-fault insurance party to attempt to pursue compensation.
Florida is a No-Fault State
A no-fault state requires all drivers to purchase personal injury protection, which can cover up to $10,000 worth of car accident economic damages. It helps car accident victims pay for a portion of their medical bills and lost wages to help keep small claims out of court. It’s also to ensure all car accident victims have insurance that can help pay for devastating damages.
Despite Florida operating under no-fault laws, car accident victims can still file car accident claims if their damages exceed the limits of their PIP insurance. You can also file a car accident claim to pursue compensation for non-economic damages not covered by PIP insurance, like mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. A car accident lawyer can help you assess your damages, determine the liable party, and file a car accident claim to pursue compensation for these damages.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Jacksonville Car Accidents?
A statute of limitations determines how long after an accident occurs that an injury victim can file a claim to pursue damages. All actions founded on negligence, such as a car accident, have the same statute of limitations. According to Florida Statute 95.11, car accident victims have four years from the day the accident happened to file a car accident claim. You have four years to contact a car accident lawyer to discuss your options for pursuing damages.
Where Do Jacksonville Car Accidents Commonly Occur?
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department, Jacksonville had 24,436 motor vehicle crashes in 2021. There were also 193 deaths, which means there were 20 accident-related deaths per 100,000 residents. That is above the Florida average of 16 deaths per 100,000 residents and the national average of 12 deaths per 100,000 residents.
These startling statistics offer a look into the dangerous road safety conditions in Jacksonville. I-10 and I-95 are two dangerous roads in Jacksonville that have been the site of many catastrophic car accidents. Jacksonville intersections have also led to numerous car accidents, with drivers not obeying right-of-way laws and lacking caution when reaching the intersections.
The following are the most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville and how many crashes occurred there in 2020:
- Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle: 116 crashes
- Blanding Boulevard and Argyle Forest Boulevard: 90 crashes
- Blanding Boulevard and Collins Road: 72 crashes
- Atlantic Boulevard and Southside Boulevard: 69 crashes
- 103rd Street and Ricker Road: 66 crashes
- 103rd Street and Blanding Boulevard: 59 crashes
- Beach Boulevard and Hodges Boulevard: 56 crashes
- Beach Boulevard and Southside Boulevard: 55 crashes
- Baymeadows Road and Southside Boulevard: 54 crashes
- Claire Lane and San Jose Boulevard: 51 crashes
Car accidents can occur in any of the seven counties in Jacksonville, including Duval County, Nassau County, and Flagler County. If you were involved in a Jacksonville car accident, it’s vital to contact a local car accident attorney that can help you with their specific knowledge of the city, as well as its counties, roads, and intersections.
Causes of Jacksonville Car Accidents
The congested, dangerous roads in Jacksonville can exacerbate negligent driving behavior from drivers. If you are distracted at the intersection between Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle, you are more than likely going to cause a car crash that results in debilitating damages.
Anything that can result in a driver not having control of their vehicle or that can make the driver drive unsafely is considered negligent driving behavior. All drivers owe a duty of care, which is the duty to drive safely and within the acceptable standards of the road. Breaching this duty of care can cause a car accident and leave the driver liable for damages.
The following are some of the negligent driving behaviors that can cause a Jacksonville car accident:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving (ignoring road rules)
- Not using turn signals
- Road rage
Types of Jacksonville Car Accidents
Different car collisions can occur based on where two cars collide. For example, if a driver doesn’t pay attention to a car stopped for a red light in front of them, they could keep going and rear-end the car in front of them. These different types of car collisions, which can include more than two types of cars, can cause distinct injuries with severity based on the speeds of the cars and location of the accident. Some accidents can bring cars into dangerous contact with hard objects like poles, traffic signals, and road dividers.
The following are some of the types of Jacksonville car accidents:
- Rear-end collision
- Sideswipe accident
- T-bone accident
- Head-on collision
- Multi-car crash
- Single car accident
Severe Injuries Caused by Jacksonville Car Accidents
The type of collision you are involved in can alter what car accident injury you can suffer, as different body parts are exposed to trauma from different impact points around the car. Severe injuries in a car accident can result from blunt force or penetrating trauma.
Blunt force trauma occurs when a body part receives a direct blow during a car accident. This can happen if the other car comes into direct impact with your body, the car accident throws your body into a hard object in the car, or you become pressed against a hard object outside of the car. Penetrating trauma is when a sharp object, such as shattered glass or broken poles, penetrates the body and causes major damage.
The following are some of the types of severe injuries that can result from a Jacksonville car accident:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Facial injuries
- Knee injuries
Liability in a Jacksonville Car Accident Claim
As outlined above, the most likely party to be liable for car accident damages is another driver. If another driver caused the accident through negligent driving behavior, they are the liable party through which you can pursue compensation.
However, it is also possible that the car accident was caused by a defective car part. In that case, the designer, manufacturer, seller, or distributor could be liable in the role of a defective part hitting the market. You can pursue compensation for their negligence in a product liability claim.
Comparative Negligence in Florida Car Accident Claims
Florida operates under pure comparative negligence, meaning a party’s fault is based on how they contributed to the accident. For example, if a driver ran a defective red light, it could be argued that the traffic light manufacturer also shares liability. In this case, both parties could share 50% of the blame for the accident. This means that whatever settlement or award is decided upon, both parties will have to contribute 50% of the compensation.
However, this law can also affect how much compensation a car accident victim can receive. In some two-car accidents, both parties can share fault for negligent actions. In that case, your settlement or award will be reduced based on how much you contributed to the accident.
What to do After a Jacksonville Car Accident
You need to have your priorities straight following a car accident to both help heal any severe injuries and put yourself in the best position to receive compensation for your injuries. The scene post-accident can be stressful to handle, but there are certain steps that are necessary following a car accident.
The following are the steps you should take after an accident:
- Contact the police: As mentioned above, contacting the police following a car accident involving injury, death, or $500 of property damage is necessary by law. The responding officer can help you collect necessary information, such as the location of the accident, what damages occurred, and the name, address, and contact information of witnesses and others involved in the accident.
- Receive medical attention: Following a car accident, you should prioritize your health. Even if you feel you do not have severe symptoms, they may just be delayed. Seeing a doctor to check for severe injuries can allow them to detect injuries that are not immediately clear and start to give you medical treatment to heal severe injuries.
- Gather evidence at the scene of the accident: If you have the physical ability, collect evidence at the accident scene that can help you with your car accident claim. Take photos of your injuries, car damage, road signs, road debris, and adverse weather conditions that you can use to prove your liability claim down the road.
- Contact a car accident lawyer: You most likely do not have the car accident law background to handle a car accident claim correctly. Contact local Jacksonville car accident lawyers that have the experience, knowledge, and patience to handle your car accident claim.
What Damages Can You Pursue for a Jacksonville Car Accident?
As a car accident victim, you can pursue damages, which are losses associated with the car accident. There are two types of damages you can pursue in a car accident claim: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are those with a monetary value or bill attached to them, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages are intangible damages that reflect how your life has changed following the car accident, which can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.
The following are some of the damages a car accident lawyer can help you pursue:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Disability costs
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
How Can a Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyer Help With Your Car Accident Claim?
Following a Jacksonville car accident, you may be unsure of how to handle the process of pursuing compensation. Without a personal injury law background, you will not know all of the steps to take to process a car accident claim correctly, which is why you should hire a car accident lawyer.
A car accident lawyer with experience handling claims in Jacksonville can offer you their expertise in negotiating with insurance companies. The at-fault party’s insurance company will have the lawyers, insurance adjusters, and resources necessary to limit your potential settlement to keep its profits up. Your car accident lawyer can help combat any bad faith tactics and collect evidence that proves your case.
Contact Russo Law Group for Help With Your Jacksonville Car Accident Claim
Car accident victims can have mountains of pressure on their backs due to having to deal with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and a potentially wrecked vehicle. A car accident lawyer can assist with processing your claim and put you in the best position to receive compensation for your damages.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Russo Law Firm can help Jacksonville car accident victims receive compensation through specialized attention. We have an awareness of the dangers posed by Jacksonville’s roads and can use our specific knowledge to add legitimacy to your claim. We can also address any concerns you may have and sculpt our legal counsel to your specific situation.
At Russo Law Firm, we offer free consultations to personal injury victims to learn how we can help with your case. If you suffered damages from a car accident, contact us at 844-847-8300 or leave a message on our online contact page.