Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Miami, FL
Thousands of motor vehicle crashes occur annually in Florida, with more than 60,000 annual car crashes occurring in Miami-Dade County alone. This is based on statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. From 2014 to 2016, there was a 6.5% increase in the number of accidents that occurred on Florida’s public roadways.
The number rose to 64,070 accidents in 2016, down from 60,165 in 2014. The number of people injured was 33,400, while nearly 300 people were killed in these accidents. The total number of injuries in 2014 was 31,752 with, about 280 fatalities.
A Miami car accident lawyer will assist you in filing a lawsuit if you or a family member sustained injuries or if you lost a loved one in a car accident. We’ll pursue the legal rights you’re entitled to and bring your lawsuit to trial before a judge if the liable party fails to compensate you. We’ll also ensure your case is tried quickly in a court of law.
What Are the Time Limitations for Car Accident Claims?
Car crash victims in Miami must follow time limits (statutes of limitations) for all types of injury claims and lawsuits. Identification of the negligent party or the person at fault determines the time accident injury victims have to file a claim in court. If you fail to act within this period, you may be barred from seeking justice.
Statutes of limitations vary when it comes to cars that are operated or owned by government employees and government entities as well as car crashes between individuals. Other time limits will vary depending on the type of claim presented.
Financial Settlement for Accident Victims
Accident victims are generally compensated for injuries suffered and damages caused. Damages may include:
- Medical bills including present and future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Suffering and pain
- Disfigurement
- Lost companionship
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disability
What Are the Rules for Personal Injury Claims?
You’re eligible for a personal injury claim that allows you to file for compensation beyond what insurance companies provide if the accident victim died or suffered severe injuries such as:
- Paralysis
- Brain damage
- Serious head injury
- Broken bones
- Permanent scarring
You may be offered compensation for damages caused if you have suffered one of the above injuries. A fatal car accident lawyer in Miami will analyze your claim and help you file a case to ensure you seek the damages and compensation to which you are entitled.
What Are the Different Types of Car Crash Legal Claims?
The direction your case will take and the compensation you will likely get will depend on your claim. Below are the most common types of claims filed:
Negligence
Most car crash claims are claims against negligence. This is when the at-fault party acted in a reckless manner that led to an accident, injury, or even death. To win this kind of a lawsuit, your car accident lawyer must prove the responsible party was negligent and caused the losses or injuries that you are claiming damages and compensation for.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a family member in a car accident, you could be entitled to punitive and financial damages and will have to file a wrongful death claim. You’ll need the help of a car accident lawyer in order to win this type of lawsuit after proving the other person’s negligence led to the death of a loved one.
Manufacturer Liability
Some accidents are caused by a car’s defects, such as a faulty design. You can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the car as well as the manufacturer of the car’s faulty parts. You’ll require expert analysis and testimony to win this type of case and will have to provide proof that the manufacturer of the car parts should be held liable.
Road Design
There are cases when dangerous issues along the road may cause an accident such as poorly positioned signs, barriers and rails that are placed poorly, or malfunctioning traffic signals that can cause a fatal accident as well as injury to others.
What Should You Do After Being Injured in a Car Accident?
Call the police and let them know you’ve been involved in an accident. You should also:
- Seek medical attention immediately for a thorough check-up so as to get started on treatment, especially if you suffered severe injuries
- Record video of damaged property, road debris, and the accident scene as a whole so that this evidence can be used as reference points in your claim
- Take photos of your car and other damaged vehicles in the crash and get the contact information of potential witnesses
Pursue Your Claim
A Miami car accident lawyer will assist you file a lawsuit if you’ve suffered accident injuries. To get started, contact us on 305-928-2909.