Motor Vehicle Accident Category Archives — Page 24 of 28 — South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog Published by South Florida Injury Lawyers

May 3, 2021

Why Do I Have to Report a Car Accident to the Police?

Although you may think having the police involved with a car accident may not always be necessary, not reporting the incident could end up hurting the value of your claim. Learn how having a police report may help improve your chances of recovering the fair amount of compensation you may need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses.

Whether you or a loved one was injured in a collision, consulting with a licensed attorney is highly recommended. A good attorney can help you obtain important documentation such as police reports and other valuable evidence to help strengthen your claim. When you hire reputable legal representation, your legal rights are protected so you can pursue fair compensation to cover your damages.

If you need legal advice about your situation, you can contact a dependable car accident lawyer at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today. Our experienced team of legal professionals has handled cases throughout the state of Florida, including the Miami area (by appointment only). We offer a free initial evaluation of your claim during your first no-obligation consultation. Our goal is to help you seek the compensation you need for a healthy recovery.

April 28, 2021

Florida Head-On Collision Accident Lawsuits

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

Florida motor vehicle accidents that occur because of a negligent driver can leave motorists, passengers, and pedestrians in a precarious physical, financial, and emotional position. Although accidents can range in severity, head-on collisions tend to result in some of the most perilous situations for those involved. While Florida head-on collisions do not occur as often as other types of accidents, these tend to result in more catastrophic injuries.

The severity of these accidents depends on the vehicle’s force, or energy when it hits another vehicle or object. In typical driving situations, slow stopping will allow the vehicle’s brakes to absorb some of the energy. However, all of a vehicle’s kinetic energy must dissipate for the car to come to a complete stop. As such, when a fast-moving car comes to a sudden stop, all of the energy must dispel immediately. Thus the force and severity of an accident depend on how much energy the car has at the moment of the collision. Scientifically speaking, when two cars are moving towards each other, the kinetic energy will result in a more severe accident. For example, two cars traveling at 50 mph that slam into each other will be similar to the vehicles hitting a concrete wall.

In most cases, a driver can do something to minimize the force of the collision even when an accident seems inevitable. Drivers can reduce their speed, hit something softer, or try and hit the oncoming vehicle from the side rather than head-on. In any event, these accidents often result in serious and life-threatening injuries. For example, a recent report described a Florida head-on accident that took the life of a 26-year-old man. Police records indicate that a 72-year-old man was driving northbound when he veered to the right and struck a cable box. The vehicle then traveled back into the northbound lane, across a median, and struck the young man’s vehicle. Sadly, the young man died upon impact, and the 72-year old was taken to a hospital.

March 31, 2021

Settlement Agreements Following a Florida Car Accident

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

After a Florida car accident, injury victims often incur significant damages, including expenses related to their medical bills, lost wages and benefits, and pain and suffering. Depending on the accident’s circumstances, victims who wish to recoup these damages have several options, including filing a lawsuit against the responsible party. Despite a popular misconception, an overwhelming number of personal injury lawsuits do not make it to trial. In some cases, the court will dismiss a plaintiff’s case because of a substantive or procedural issue. In other situations, the parties will reach a settlement agreement that negates the need for a lengthy trial.

A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract that the parties reach voluntarily. The plaintiff and defendant or insurance company negotiate the terms of the contract. In return, the plaintiff agrees to cease any further legal action related to the incident. These agreements usually do not require the defendant to admit guilt; instead, it lays out that the defendant is resolving the issue for an agreed-upon amount. In some cases, the payment occurs in one lump sum, and in other cases, the parties may agree to stagger the payments. These agreements can occur at any time during the proceedings; however, they must occur before the jury reaches a verdict.

There are many advantages and disadvantages to signing a settlement agreement; however, an attorney is one of the most indispensable resources during this process. When accident victims attempt to negotiate the terms of a settlement without an experienced attorney, they may find themselves in a detrimental situation. For instance, injury victims may settle for an inadequate amount, the terms may not be beneficial, or the settlement may not be legally binding.

January 20, 2021

Court Addresses Florida’s Evolving Summary Judgment Standard in Car Accident Lawsuit

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

Summary judgment is a crucial procedural tool that has many implications for Florida car accident plaintiffs. The summary judgment stage occurs before trial, during which time either party can ask the court to rule in their favor. Either party can use all of the evidence they obtained during the discovery phase to support their motion. A ruling is only appropriate if the moving party shows there is no genuine issue of material fact.

At the end of 2020, The Florida Supreme Court decided to modify its Civil Procedure Rules. The ruling will go into effect on May 1st, 2021, and will amend Florida’s rules to comport with the federal summary judgment standard. The changes are critically important in Florida accident cases, and plaintiffs must understand how the rules will impact their lawsuits. The Court reasoned that the change would “improve the fairness and efficiency” of the state’s civil justice system.

The court’s opinion arose from a fatal rear-end Florida car accident. The decedent filed a lawsuit against the front-truck driver and his employer. During the trial, the defendant-company, presented video evidence from a dashcam, establishing that its driver did not cause the accident. The defendant moved for summary judgment based on the video, arguing that the video served as undeniable evidence that the driver was not negligent. The trial court granted the defendant’s motion, but the appellate court reversed the trial court’s ruling, based on Florida’s prevailing summary judgment standards.

December 23, 2020

Personal Injury Claims Arising from Florida Head-on Collisions

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

Head-on collisions are one of the most frightening and dangerous types of Florida traffic accidents. Although any accident can lead to severe injuries, head-on collisions often have catastrophic consequences. These accidents are inherently more dangerous because of the direct impact involved when the cars collide, as well as the fact that head-on collisions often involve vehicles traveling at high speeds.

According to statistics released by the Florida government, the state sees almost 400,000 traffic accidents every year. Although head-on collisions make up a small portion of these accidents, nearly 10% of head-on collisions result in a fatality. Many different situations lead to these devastating accidents. The most common causes of Florida head-on collisions include situations in which:

The driver is impaired because of illegal or legal drugs or alcohol;

November 25, 2020

Speeding and Aggressive Driving Are Major Causes of Florida Car Accidents

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

After a car accident, injury victims and their family members who wish to recover compensation for their damages must understand their rights and potential remedies. Establishing fault after a Florida car accident is the most critical aspect of a personal injury claim. Typically if the other motorist’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness caused the accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation. However, if the other party establishes that the victim was also responsible for the accident, their compensation may be reduced by their fault level. Proving fault and refuting comparative negligence claims are a crucial part of the process.

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that victims must file a claim with their insurance company after an accident, regardless of which party was at fault. The only exception to this rule is if the victim suffered permanent injuries or injuries involving scarring and disfigurement. In Florida, fault is a critical part of this process because the state follows the comparative negligence model of liability. Juries generally calculate two things, the total amount of the plaintiff’s damages and the percentage of fault that belongs to each party. Then a plaintiff’s recovery is reduced by the level of fault the jury attributes to them.

Florida victims must establish fault and refute comparative negligence claims if they wish to recover the maximum amount of compensation for their damages. Establishing fault requires the plaintiff to prove that the other party failed to act reasonably and breached their duty of care. One of the many ways a plaintiff can establish this is by gathering witness statements. Witness statements can provide juries with valuable insight into the events leading up to the accident. Next, digital evidence in the form of photos or videos can provide the jury with vital information. Moreover, if a victim can prove that the other driver was violating a Florida traffic law, the court may impute liability based on negligence per se. This often occurs if the at-fault party received a traffic citation or is arrested after an accident for a traffic crime such as impaired driving or speeding.

October 28, 2020

Important Requirements in Florida Punitive Damages Claims

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

Recently, a Florida appellate court issued an opinion in response to a defendant’s motion for certiorari review. The record indicates that the defendant drove under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and ran his car into the plaintiff and seven other pedestrians. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, and while the civil case was pending, the defendant pleaded guilty in a related criminal case. After the defendant pled guilty, the plaintiff moved to amend his complaint to add a claim for punitive damages.

The lower court held a hearing to determine whether the plaintiff met the evidentiary burden necessary for punitive damages claims. The defendant’s attorney contended that the law requires the court to find clear, convincing evidence that the plaintiff is entitled to punitive damages. The defendant’s attorney conceded that the relevant statute does not discuss the burden, but rather the court’s gatekeeping function. Moreover, they argued that the plaintiff must make a “reasonable showing” that there is a “reasonable basis” for the damages.

Under Florida Statutes Section 768.72(1), punitive damages will not be permitted unless the claimant proffers a reasonable showing for a basis for the claim. The issue is whether the statute requires the trial court to make an “express or affirmative” finding of a basis for punitive damages.

September 15, 2020

Florida Court Finds Hotel Did Not Owe Guest a Duty of Care in Recent Wrongful Death Case

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

Property owners owe guests a duty to ensure that their property is reasonably safe. The extent of the duty a landowner owes to a guest, however, will depend on the reason for the guest’s visit. Under Florida slip and fall law, invitees are owed the greatest duty, while trespassers are owed the lowest duty. Licensees occupy a middle ground.

Florida law distinguishes between public invitees and business invitees. A public invitee is a guest who is present on property that is generally open to the public for non-business reasons. A visitor at a public park is an example of a public invitee. A business invitee, on the other hand, is someone who is present on another’s property for some business purpose. A common example of a business invitee is a customer at a grocery store. Business invitees and public invitees are both owed the same duty by landowners. However, a public invitee may need to deal with sovereign immunity issues when pursuing a claim for compensation. Of course, to successfully bring a Florida premises liability lawsuit, the injured party must be able to show that the landowner owed them a duty, and that the landowner violated that duty.

In a recent Florida court of appeals decision, a plaintiff filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased against a Florida hotel and resort following a golf cart accident that resulted in the individual’s death. The defendant hotel provided a complimentary golf cart service to transport guests around its property and on its grounds. The golf cart was not allowed to travel on roads beyond the hotel grounds, but it could drop passengers off who could then cross a highway on foot.

August 12, 2020

Pursuing Full and Fair Compensation After a Florida Personal Injury Accident

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

In the aftermath of a Florida personal injury related accident, filing a claim for compensation is crucial, especially if you have been severely injured. However, the evidence of injury must be clear, as well as the full extent of the damage suffered by the accident victim. For example, if a plaintiff in a case is unable to prove the extent of their injuries and convince the jury of the damage, they may be prevented from receiving full compensation for their damages related to the pain and suffering they experienced.

In a recent Florida appellate court opinion, the plaintiff’s car was struck by the defendant at a low speed while the two vehicles were exiting the highway. The plaintiff subsequently sued the defendant, claiming that the accident caused her to suffer a permanent back injury. The jury found that the defendant had indeed caused the plaintiff’s injury, but that the plaintiff did not suffer a permanent injury and thus should not receive pain and suffering damages. The plaintiff moved for a new trial, claiming that there were several instances of trial court error during the proceedings.

On appeal, the plaintiff argued that the trial court erred in allowing the defendant to introduce evidence of a referral relationship between the plaintiff’s former attorney and her chiropractor as a violation of attorney-client privilege. During opening statements, the defendant’s counsel suggested that the plaintiff’s former attorney referred her to her chiropractor, which contradicted the plaintiff’s previous assertion that she had been referred by an emergency room doctor.

April 15, 2020

Appellate Court Finds in Favor of Plaintiff in Lawsuit Against Florida County

by Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

Recently, a Florida appeals court issued an opinion in a lawsuit brought by an injured cyclist against Pinellas County. Historically, sovereign immunity protects governmental entities and officials from lawsuits stemming from the performance of their official government duties. However, in the interest of fairness, the federal government (as well as most states) provides waivers to this immunity. Florida permits individuals to sue the government in certain situations, but does not allow plaintiffs to recover punitive damages or compensation over $200,000.

In the case above, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the county for injuries he suffered when he lost control of his bike and fell into a ditch in an intersection maintained by the county. The plaintiff testified that he was heading west, approaching the intersection when he noticed a car stopped in the northbound lane. He wanted to proceed south but was not sure what the driver was going to do, so he remained on the shoulder of the road. However, the car struck him, and he blacked out.

The plaintiff claimed that the county was responsible for his damages because they negligently maintained the roadway and failed to warn motorists, pedestrians, and bikers of the road’s dangerous condition. The plaintiff contended that the intersection’s shoulder lacked clear zones and slopes for bikers. The lower court let the case against the government proceed, but in response, the county claimed that they were not responsible because the plaintiff could not prove that they were the cause of the accident or his injuries. The court granted the county’s motion for summary judgment, but the plaintiff appealed, arguing that there were genuine issues of material fact that remain unresolved.