Panama City Speeding Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver, you may be owed substantial compensation for your injuries and losses. According to the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles, in the year 2018, there were 263 people killed, and at least 2,473 people injured statewide in accidents where at least one vehicle was driving either above the posted speed limit or too fast for conditions. Every driver has the responsibility to drive at a safe speed, and when they fail to do so, they need to be held financially responsible for any injuries they cause.

The Bruner Law Firm has a strong record of securing compensation for injured victims in and around Panama City. When you hire an experienced car accident attorney, your chances of receiving the maximum financial reward will be exponentially greater than if you try to handle everything yourself. Contact The Bruner Law Firm today at (850) 769-9292 to schedule a free consultation.

Why You Need a Lawyer

When you are injured in a car accident, it affects you physically, emotionally, and financially, and in many other aspects of your life. Trying to file an insurance claim and work with the insurance companies is time-consuming and confusing. To make matters worse, the insurance company will try to blame you for the accident, thus reducing or even eliminating your possibility for compensation.

The attorneys at The Bruner Law Firm are here to help. Our attorneys will walk you through the legal process, so you don’t have to go through it alone. We will use every resource available, including expert witnesses and an accident reconstruction team as needed, to gather evidence that you likely could not uncover on your own. This will allow us to build the strongest case possible as we negotiate for compensation for your injuries.

Why Choose Us

Attorney Vince Bruner and his sons, attorneys Vince Bruner Jr. and Drew Bruner, are all natives of nearby Okaloosa County. Vince has over 25 years of experience as a lawyer. His primary focus has been securing compensation for people who have been involved in serious accidents. In addition to his legal experience, Vince also served a four-year term as a Florida State Senator. This gives him a unique perspective on laws and government that other attorneys do not have.

Our firm operates based on a contingency fee, which means you don’t owe us anything unless we successfully secure compensation for you. This allows all members of our community to have access to highly skilled legal representation without having to worry about how they will afford it. When you need an attorney to represent you after a speeding accident, turn to The Bruner Law Firm.

How Does Speeding Cause Accidents?

Speed limits were created to protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and anyone else who uses the road. Sadly, despite efforts to enforce speed limits, speeding contributed to 26% of accidents in the United States in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Driving too fast can:

• Cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle
• Increase the time and distance needed to stop
• Reduce the effectiveness of seatbelts
• Lead to more severe injuries

Some drivers choose to speed when they are in a hurry, distracted, feel overconfident about their driving skills, or for other reasons. They often forget about the impact this decision could have on themselves as well as others. People frequently find excuses to speed, but the reality is, there is never a good excuse to put someone else’s life at risk.

Driving Too Fast for Conditions

There are many situations where the posted speed limit may still be too fast. Drivers are responsible for exercising good judgment by driving slower in these situations. This could include:

• Railroad crossings
• Narrow or windy roads
• When approaching the top of a hill
• In heavy traffic
• When driving near pedestrians or bicyclists
• In poorly lit areas
• When nearing an intersection

Additionally, certain weather conditions such as heavy wind, rain, fog, and ice or snow can further impact a driver’s visibility and control of their vehicle, and drivers should slow down to prevent accidents. Drivers who fail to slow down when faced with these external factors can be held liable for driving too fast for conditions.

Common Injuries from Speeding Accidents

In an accident where speeding is involved, the types of injuries can vary greatly depending on the angle of impact, whether the vehicle occupant was properly restrained, the types of vehicles involved, and many other factors. In general, higher speeds lead to more severe injuries. Some potential injuries include:

• Cuts and bruises
• Broken bones
• Spinal and nerve damage
• Whiplash
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Internal organ damage
• Amputation
• Paralysis
• Death

Injuries are not always apparent right away. Some injuries can take days or weeks to show up after a car accident. Even when injuries do show up right away, it is often hard to gauge the severity because many injuries get worse over time. Depending on the severity of the injuries, a full recovery can take months or years, and some people never fully recover from their injuries.

Types of Compensation

When you begin to pursue compensation for your injuries, it is crucial that you consider not only your current medical needs, but also the long-term medical needs and financial hardships of you and your family that may come as a result of your injuries. While attorneys cannot guarantee a specific amount of compensation that you will receive, it is important to understand the options that may be available to you. You may be owed compensation for:

• Medical bills (current and future)
• Long-term care and rehabilitation
• Lost wages (current and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma

If your loved one was killed in a speeding accident, you may file a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of future earnings, and loss of companionship.

Building a Case

After a speeding accident, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible early on. Ideally, you would have taken photos at the scene of the crash. If you did not, returning to take photos can still be helpful if it is safe to do so. You should also collect contact information for witnesses and prepare to share the police report and medical records.

Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to visit a doctor right away, so you have documentation of your initial injuries in case they worsen over time. It is best to avoid sharing details about the accident on social media or providing a recorded statement to an insurance company until after you have spoken with an attorney.

When you meet with an attorney, you will share information and evidence that will help us build a foundation for your case. We will then utilize other resources to reconstruct the accident, consult with medical experts, and analyze applicable laws to further expand our understanding of what happened and build a strong case.

Determining Liability

In order to hold another driver liable for your injuries, the following elements of negligence must be true:

1. Duty – The at-fault driver had a duty to drive at a reasonable speed based on posted speed limits and current conditions.
2. Breach of Duty – The at-fault driver breached that duty by driving at an unsafe speed.
3. Cause – The excessive speed of the at-fault driver (and not some unrelated factor) is what caused the accident.
4. Harm – Your injuries were a direct result of that accident and not some outside event.

Florida follows the law of comparative negligence, as spelled out in Chapter 768.81 of The 2019 Florida Statutes. Since car accidents happen quickly and can be very stressful, it can be difficult to remember exactly what happened or who was at fault. The other party and their insurance company will likely try to use this statute in their favor by attempting to prove that you were partially at fault, thus reducing the amount of compensation you are owed.

Even if you know you are partially to blame for the accident because you were also speeding, talking on your phone, or involved in any other unsafe driving behavior, you may still have a case. Although your compensation might be reduced, an attorney will still advocate for you to receive fair compensation.

Our attorneys have vast experience with piecing together details and uncovering evidence that clarifies what caused the accident. We will use every resource available to fight for you and secure the full amount of compensation that you are owed.

Contact a Panama City Speeding Accident Lawyer

When you are injured in an accident due to someone else’s careless decision to speed, you need an attorney who will stand by your side no matter what. The attorneys at The Bruner Law Firm invest extensive time and attention into each and every case we handle because we care about our clients as individuals, not just numbers. We care about our neighbors in the Florida Panhandle as if you were part of our own family.

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you move past this challenging time in your life. Contact us today at (850) 769-9292 or start an online chat to schedule a free consultation.