If you have suffered a serious injury in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligent or reckless driving, you know just how devastating and overwhelming such a crash can be. The car accident attorneys at Staples, Ellis + Associates know too. For decades, we have successfully handled personal injury cases for car accident victims in Pensacola, Destin, Escambia, and Northwest Florida who needed a place to turn in a crisis. Contact us now so we can fight aggressively for the compensation you need and deserve.
Our attorneys are well aware that a severe car accident injury threatens not only your physical health but your emotional and financial stability as well. We know that while you are incapacitated and unable to work, medical costs and household expenses continue to build. For this reason, we will provide you with vigorous legal representation during your recovery, charging you no attorneys’ fees until we win damages.
Causes of Car Accidents
Although over the years cars have more and more safety features, such as seatbelts, airbags, and sensors to warn of an impending collision, car accidents continue to be an ever-present danger. There are many reasons for this, among them that Florida roads are increasingly congested and that there are more high-speed vehicles on the road. Following is a list of common reasons car accidents occur:
- Distracted driving (while texting, talking on the phone, eating, reaching)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding or even racing on public roads
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs
- Driving while fatigued, sleepy, or exhausted
- Illegally turning, changing lanes, or weaving
- Disobeying traffic signals or signs
- Tailgating
Collisions can also be caused by random occurrences such as:
- A defect in the car itself (e.g. defective brakes)
- A large pothole or debris on the road
- An animal on the road
- A sudden storm, explosion, or bridge collapse
- Objects falling off passing vehicles
- The medical event of another driver
Not all “random” accidents are without legal remedy. In some cases, road crews can be sued for failing to clear snow or debris or mend dangerous potholes. In others, car manufacturers or trucking companies are at fault — the former for selling or leasing cars with defective parts; the latter for failing to drug test their drivers or to properly tie down the cargo on their vehicles. You can rely on our sharp Pensacola car accident attorneys to determine who is liable for your car accident injuries and to hold them legally accountable.
The Various Types of Car Accidents
The severity of injuries suffered is related to several variables — where you were sitting in the vehicle and how you were positioned at the moment of impact, the speed the cars were going, and the angle at which the cars crashed. Common types of car accidents include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end crashes
- Rollovers
- Side-impact collisions (T-bones)
Depending on the type of crash and the victim’s location in the vehicle, sometimes even low-speed collisions or accidents in which the victim is in a stopped or parked car can result in serious injuries.
Injuries Suffered by Victims of Car Accidents
Even non-catastrophic injuries like non-displaced fractures can take months to heal and require rehabilitation. At Staples, Ellis + Associates, we never underestimate the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress a car accident injury is causing you and your loved ones.
Whatever injuries you have suffered, we will work hard to ensure that you receive the damages you need to deal with present expenses and future care, however long-term it may be. We have experience fighting for clients who are coping with a broad range of serious injuries, including:
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- Bone fractures and burns
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Amputation
- Brain and spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Permanent disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Neuromuscular damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)
What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida
After a car accident, it’s crucial to stay calm and prioritize everyone’s safety. If possible, move to a safe spot and switch on your hazard lights. Check yourself and others for injuries, and gently offer assistance while waiting for emergency services. It’s important to exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver, but remember to avoid discussions about who’s at fault or admitting guilt, as this can be complicated later. Take photos of the scene for your records. Notify your insurance provider soon after. If there are injuries or notable damage, consider getting legal advice to understand your options and rights. Most importantly, take care of yourself and those involved.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
We also work with family members who have tragically lost close relatives to wrongful death in car accidents resulting from another’s negligence. If you are in this terrible situation, we will help you navigate the judicial system and obtain damages for final medical costs, funeral expenses, and loss of financial and/or emotional support. Though we know that no amount of money can relieve your anguish, we will fight hard to obtain justice for you and your family. We will support you and thoroughly investigate the entire claims process, starting from the scene of the accident and police reports.
Services Staples, Ellis + Associates Provides for Auto Accident Victims
The negotiation and litigation skills of our accomplished car accident attorneys are well-practiced, so while you rest and heal from your car accident injury, we will:
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- Examine police reports, records, and medical reports
- Investigate the site of your accident and view all available surveillance videos
- Handle all communications with opposing attorneys and insurance adjusters
- Investigate the defendant’s history for evidence of prior misconduct
- Subpoena cell phone records if the defendant is accused of texting while driving
- Consult with experts in pertinent fields who may testify on your behalf
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Most importantly, we will work diligently to obtain a fair negotiated settlement for you and your family. If a proper settlement is not offered, we will fight to prove the liability of the other party, and to award maximum compensation through a courtroom trial.
Damages Our Auto Accident Attorneys Fight to Win
In the state of Florida, there are no-fault laws in place. This means that liability is not fixed and more than one party could be at fault. In essence, if someone else bears even partial responsibility for the harm that has come to you, you are entitled to funds to see you through this ordeal. Our law team has the in-depth knowledge of Florida law combined and the skill set to get you those funds to cover:
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- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income, present, and future
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological counseling
- Permanent disability
- Long-term nursing care
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurements
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If the defendant in your case showed a flagrant violation of the law, extreme recklessness, or malice, our lawyers may also be able to win punitive damages. It is worthy to note that the defendant in most cases will not be forced to sell their house or property to pay for the damages to the plaintiff or cover the costs, because of protection under Florida’s homestead exemption law.
Contact Our Compassionate Florida Auto Accident Attorney Today
The wheels of justice turn slowly, so the sooner you or a family member gets in touch with us, the better. Getting an early start will allow us to examine the site of the accident while forensic evidence and witness memories are still fresh. Contact our office now so our auto accident attorney can begin fighting to bring you the resources you need to secure your future.
Staples, Ellis + Associates assists auto and car accident victims in Pensacola, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Destin, Okaloosa County, and Northwest Florida with their litigation needs.