Fort Walton Beach Speeding Accident Lawyers
If you sustained injuries in an accident involving a speeding driver, you might be able to hold them liable for your expenses. The car accident attorneys of The Bruner Law Firm have been representing clients after car accidents since 1992. We will fight hard to get you the justice you rightfully deserve. Another person’s negligence caused your injuries, and you should receive adequate financial compensation for your medical treatment and associated costs.
A speeding driver puts others in danger. Speeding is reckless behavior that can lead to catastrophic damage in a crash. A vehicle that collides with another at a high rate of speed can cause severe injuries and fatalities. The Bruner Law Firm understands the suffering you’ve had to endure since the accident. We are here to help you seek the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life. Call us at (850) 243-2222 right now for your free consultation with one of our Fort Walton Beach speeding accident lawyers.
Speeding Can Cause Severe Injuries In An Accident
Someone traveling at a high rate of speed cannot maneuver their vehicle safely around other cars. The force of an impact during a collision is violent. It can crumple a vehicle, trapping the occupants inside. Even if you’re wearing your seatbelt, you could still sustain life-threatening injuries.
Driving at excessive speeds requires a greater stopping distance. That means the number of feet necessary to bring the vehicle to a complete stop becomes longer the faster a person drives. It’s harder to control a car moving at 70 or 80 miles per hour. If there’s a road hazard or traffic suddenly stops, avoiding a crash is nearly impossible.
Injuries from speeding accidents can range from minor to severe, but most are severe and require extensive medical treatment to heal. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Psychological damage
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limb
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Disfigurement
- Physical or mental disability
Car accidents caused by speeding can also result in fatalities. Those who are lucky enough to survive can suffer lifelong complications, such as a permanent disability or chronic pain. It’s unfair that you’re struggling to heal after someone else’s careless actions caused your injury. The Bruner Law Firm will review the details of your case and aggressively pursue a full and fair monetary award, so you’re not forced to pay for any costs out-of-pocket.
Florida Car Insurance Laws
Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance. That means even though someone else caused the accident, you must seek compensation from your auto insurance company first. State law requires all motorists to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) with a minimum of $10,000 in coverage. PIP can pay for your medical bills and lost wages up to the amount on your policy.
Once you exhaust your coverage, you might be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance company. Your injury must meet the serious injury threshold, meaning you suffered at least one of the following:
- Significant and permanent disfigurement or scarring;
- Significant and permanent loss of a vital bodily function;
- Permanent injury other than scarring or disfigurement; or
- Death.
The various losses you can seek compensation for in a liability claim are:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Car rental
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical bills
- Disfigurement or physical impairment
- Emotional distress
Unfortunately, there isn’t a legal requirement in Florida for drivers to purchase liability insurance. Your Fort Walton Beach speeding accident lawyer from The Bruner Law Firm can request all available auto insurance policies to determine the available coverage. We will explore all options for recovering a sufficient dollar amount that compensates for your past and future losses.
You Could File A Lawsuit Against the Other Driver
Sometimes an insurance claim doesn’t cover an accident victim’s total losses. Medical bills are expensive, and speeding accidents can lead to debilitating injuries requiring months or years of ongoing medical care. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance, or your auto insurance company denied your PIP claim, you could file a lawsuit.
There is a statute of limitations you must comply with to sue someone for compensation. Florida has a four-year statute of limitations. That means you have four years from the car accident date to file your lawsuit, or you could lose your right to seek legal action in this matter.
Lawsuits can be complicated to navigate on your own, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the legal process. It’s crucial that you hire one of our Fort Walton Beach speeding accident lawyers to help. We can take on the responsibility of your case and guide you through each step.
We will communicate with the defense attorney and other parties involved in the case on your behalf. You should not speak to anyone about the facts of the accident. You could inadvertently say something that negatively impacts the outcome. It’s especially vital that you don’t admit any degree of fault for the crash. Even though the other person was speeding, you may think that your actions partially contributed to the accident. Don’t say anything like that to anyone.
Florida uses a pure comparative fault rule to assign liability to each party. If a jury determines you share any amount of fault for the speeding accident, they could diminish your total compensation by the percentage of blame they assign. For example, if your losses totaled $20,000, but the jury finds that you were 20% at fault, you would be entitled to no more than $16,000 in compensation instead of the full $20,000.
Contact The Bruner Law Firm for A Free Consultation
The Fort Walton Beach speeding accident lawyers of The Bruner Law Firm have been fighting for accident victims’ rights for almost 30 years. We believe anyone suffering from someone else’s careless actions should have the opportunity to hold them accountable. We will be your advocate and remain by your side until we resolve your case. You can depend on our legal team to provide the support and guidance you need to get through this devastating time in your life.
If you were hurt in a speeding car accident in Fort Walton Beach, call The Bruner Law Firm immediately at (850) 243-2222 so we can begin working on your case and get you on the road to recovery.
