Car Accident Lawyer Serving Margate
Margate is a beautiful city located in Broward County that offers plenty of outdoor recreation. The picturesque city lies inland of Pompano Beach with an estimated population of over 58,000 individuals. The population, coupled with a large number of tourists who flock to the city to visit scenic spots, creates a traffic problem.
Dozens of people get injured or killed each year in traffic accidents in Margate. State Road 814 (SR814) is one of the most dangerous intersections that connects Margate to Pompano Beach in Broward County.
At Frankl Kominsky, our accident lawyers have helped many individuals who have been in car accidents on the road. Our experienced auto accident lawyers have helped thousands of clients make successful injury claims.
Common Causes for Auto Accidents in MargateCar accidents in Margate, FL, can occur due to many reasons. Our Frankl Kominsky auto accident lawyers have handled cases involving major as well as minor accidents. Let’s understand the common reasons for traffic accidents in the city.
- Reckless Driving
Accidents involving reckless driving are common in Margate. Many accidents occur when the driver does not follow the basic road rules. Drivers may drive dangerously putting their lives at risk and exposing others to danger as well. Accidents often occur due to the driver going above the speed limit. As per the US NHTSA statistics, speeding was responsible for over a quarter of deaths in 2017.
Car accidents can occur if a driver does not obey the road rules. Not paying attention to the traffic signals may seem like a minor offense, but the consequences of the reckless action can be devastating for the driver and others.
- Drunk Driving
The latest DMV Florida report states that there have been over 5,000 automobile accident-related fatalities in the state.
Drunk drivers in Margate also cause many auto accidents. In Florida, a person with blood alcohol levels of 0.08% or above is considered drunk. Drunk drivers have slow reflexes and reaction times. As a result, these drivers are less likely to stop in case of an emergency. They are also more likely to drive in a reckless manner. This increases the risk of auto accidents.
Due to the dangers of driving under the influence, Florida laws are strict for drunk drivers. The penalties are particularly severe for auto accidents that involve serious injuries or death. A drunk driver can face fines from $500 to $5,000, depending on the damage due to the accident. The driver may also have to serve jail-time ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Their license can also be revoked, and they may have to install an ignition interlock device (IID).
- Lapses in Judgment When Making Turns
One of the common reasons for automobile accidents in Margate is a lapse in judgment when making turns. Drivers need to give the ‘right of way’ when making a turn. A driver turning left should wait for the drivers turning right or going straight to pass. Not following this rule is a common reason for motor accidents. Not giving the ‘right-of-way’ when making a turn often leads to side-collisions that result in devastating injuries.
Another mistake drivers make when making a turn is not showing a turn signal. This mistake can also lead to serious injuries.
- Rear-end Collisions
Consumer Reports suggests that one automobile accident occurs every 17 seconds due to rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions happen when the driver in front stops or slows down while driving at a high speed. The driver at the back doesn’t have time to stop, and the result is a serious accident.
Rear-end crashes often result in whiplash injuries. The injury happens due to the jerky movements of the head. Individuals can suffer from serious neck, head, and spinal cord injuries. Other injuries due to rear-end-collisions include herniated disks and muscle strains and sprains.
- Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is also a leading cause of automobile accidents in Margate. New laws in Florida prohibit drivers from texting while driving.
By texting or sending emails while driving, drivers put their lives at risk. Many accidents occur due to the driver texting or emailing when driving. The risk of an injury increases significantly when the focus of the driver is on something other than the road. The majority of accidents due to distracted driving involve fatalities.
- Fatigue
Fatigue can be one of the common reasons for auto accidents in Margate. Due to driver fatigue, the attention span reduces. The driver is not able to focus on the road due to distracted driving. It is recommended that fatigued drivers stop their cars on the sidewalk and get some rest.
Drivers who are tired can make mistakes, similar to drunk drivers. They may vary the speed and not stop the car in time to avoid a collision. Excessive fatigue leads to micro-naps that increase the likelihood of accidents. Even a few seconds of shut-eye while driving can result in a deadly crash.
- Hazardous Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions often lead to serious automobile accidents. Potholes and debris on the road can also lead to accidents. The government is liable for such accidents due to failure to keep the road in a safe condition.
Remember that specific procedures and statutes are in place should you have a claim against a government entity. If you do not follow the procedures or file your lawsuit within the specified time period mentioned in the Statute of Limitations, your claim will likely be dismissed. There are rare exceptions to this rule. Consult with an experienced car accident attorney for legal guidance.
- Commercial Cars and Trucks
Many people get injured in car accidents while working. Employers who own commercial vehicles are required to maintain the vehicles. They need to make sure that commercial vehicles are in good condition.
If someone is injured in a car accident by a worker driving a commercially owned vehicle then that person can file a claim against the worker’s company.
- Motorcycles and Bicycles
Motorcycles and bicycles lack structural support similar to a car. This leaves the riders exposed to serious injuries. Drivers can unknowingly hit them if they are on the car’s blind spot. An accident can also occur if due to lane splitting where a rider rides between lanes of slow-moving or stopped cars.
If you are involved in a car accident, you need to immediately report the incident to a police officer. You should request a police report from the law enforcement agency.
Open Monday-Friday (8:00 am to 6:00 pm) | Phone: (954) 941-8300
Our experienced car accident lawyers serving Margate can try to help you if you have sustained an injury due to the negligence of another driver. Our experienced attorneys will try to help you make a claim against the at-fault driver.
Related VideoHow Fault is Determined in a Car Accident at an Intercession?
Types of Injuries Sustained in a Car CrashIndividuals sustain many different types of injuries in car accidents. The common types of car accident injuries in Margate include the following.
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spine injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Our car accident lawyers serving Margate can try to help you seek compensation for damages sustained in a car accident. You can pursue compensation for the following financial damages due to car accident injuries or death.
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and/or benefits
- Vehicle or property damages
- Reduced earning potential
- Expenses associated with disability
- Funeral and burial expenses
Apart from financial damages, a car accident attorney can also try to help you pursue compensation for general non-economic damages. These include pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and emotional anguish due to loss of consortium or companionship, disfigurement, and permanent or temporary disability.
How Frankl Kominsky can Help You With Your Car Accident ClaimObtaining compensation for injuries due to a car accident can be challenging. You should consult with an experienced attorney for guidance on how to obtain compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party. Our attorneys can try to help you through each stage of the compensation claim process.
- Establishing a Claim
The foremost step to seek compensation from the guilty party is to establish a claim. Our personal injury lawyers will give notice to the insurance company of the liable party. The notice contains information about the damages due to the car accident.
After giving notice, the insurance company will assign a claim number. The insurance company may send you a ‘reservation of rights’ letter informing you that the investigation process is underway. The aim of this letter is to avoid liability if the insurance claim is not found to be valid.
- Try to Negotiate with the Insurance Company
The insurance company will typically assign a claim adjuster who will investigate the claim. The claim adjuster may not accept the initial demand in most cases. The adjuster may offer a counterclaim that is lower than the initial requested compensation amount. The adjuster could possibly deny your claim altogether.
Our attorneys will offer advice as to whether the counteroffer is reasonable. Our attorneys will try to handle the task of negotiating with the insurance company with the goal of pursuing a fair settlement for your claim.
- Investigation Process
Medical reports, medical bills, witness statements and the police report may prove invaluable for your car accident claim. You need to get a medical checkup soon after an accident. This is important since the doctor’s report will serve as evidence about the extent of injuries due to the accident.
Below are hospitals in Margate that can provide you the medical care required after a car accident.
Northwest Medical Center
Open 24 Hours | 5901 Colonial Dr. Margate, FL 33063 | (954) 956-1668MDNow Urgent Care
Open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (All Days) | 3470 NW 62nd Ave Margate, FL 33063 | (954) 972-6868 - Litigation
In certain situations you may choose to proceed with a lawsuit. Litigation involves filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party to pursue compensation for damages.
The attorneys at Frankl Kominsky are available to file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in your claim.
In Florida, individuals who are injured in a car accident due to negligence of another driver have two years to file a court case. This is referred to as the Florida Statute of Limitations. Make sure that you file a lawsuit within this time period otherwise you may not be able to seek compensation from the guilty party.
The Florida statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death case due to car accident injuries is two years from the date of death. Family members of the victim must file a lawsuit within this time period, otherwise they will likely be barred from getting compensation for the death of their loved one.
Let Frankl Kominsky Help You With Your Car Accident ClaimIf you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a traffic accident, you should contact an experienced attorney. Frankl Kominsky auto accident lawyers can try to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our car accident lawyers will try to help you through each stage of the claim process. We strive to recover compensation for your damages.
Our lawyers will try to negotiate with the at fault party’s insurance company. We will pursue compensation for your losses and expenses.
At Frankl Kominsky, our lawyers have over four decades of combined legal experience in handling car accident cases. Our car accident lawyers will try to help you in pursuing your claim against the at-fault party.
Free Consultation With Our Injury LawyersOne of the most difficult things in a car accident lawsuit is determining fault. But you don’t have to worry. Our knowledgeable car accident lawyers will try to help you collect the evidence that could possibly help prove the fault of the other driver.
At Frankl Kominsky, our lawyers strive to build a strong case for you and pursue a successful outcome of your car accident claim.
We understand that car accident injuries can lead to grave financial difficulties. The pain and suffering due to the injuries also add to the losses. You can try to seek compensation for your losses by contacting our accident lawyers. Contact us today by dialing 954-800-8000 for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
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