Car Accident Lawyer Serving Okeechobee

A car accident can change your life in just a fraction of a second. Car accidents cause injuries and deaths every single day in Florida and the Sunshine State has been reported to have some of the worst drivers in the entire United States.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Okeechobee County witnessed over 761 car crashes in the 2018, out of which 447 accidents resulted in injuries, 14 resulted in unintentional deaths, and 447 resulted in property damage.

Additionally, the Florida Department of Health states that the annual rate of death from unintentional injuries was 68 per 100,000 people over a period of 2 years which is much higher than the state average of 41.1 per 100,000 people.

When people behind the wheel act recklessly, they can cause devastating accidents that can have life-long consequences not just for the victims and their family, but also for the at-fault party.

If someone's negligence has caused a car accident in Okeechobee, you have the right to pursue a lawsuit and receive fair compensation for your losses. If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident, the legal team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are available to provide guidance as to your legal options.

Car accidents can put many people in immediate danger. There are several major causes for accidents in Okeechobee County. These include:

Accidents Involving Drunk or DUI Drivers: When drivers consume alcohol or take drugs (both prescription or recreational) before driving, it can impair their judgment. This results in numerous car accidents. In Okeechobee County, there were 16 alcohol-confirmed crashes, which resulted in 3 fatalities and 10 injuries. Additionally, there was 1 drug-confirmed crash which resulted in 1 injury and 1 fatality in 2018. Even though the numbers may not seem alarming, in reality they indicate that a single drug-induced crash can result in 100 percent injury and fatality rate.

Distracted Drivers: Even though technology has made our lives easier and more convenient, it has also contributed to an increasing number of car crashes as people behind the wheel get distracted and take their eyes off the road. In 2018, Florida experienced 236 fatalities due to distracted driving as well as 3,100 incapacitating injuries and 12,598 non-incapacitating injuries.

Teen, Young, and Inexperienced Drivers: Inexperienced drivers are often at fault for speeding or driving recklessly due to their newfound freedom. However, this has resulted in a number of car crashes in Okeechobee County in 2018. Drivers aged between 15 to 17 years contributed towards 34 crashes which resulted in 8 injuries; drivers aged between 18 to 20 contributed towards 96 crashes, which resulted in 24 injuries; drivers aged between 21 to 24 contributed towards 112 crashes, which resulted in 34 injuries, and 1 fatality.

Drivers Who Fail to Yield: Failing to yield means can include not giving right of way to other drivers, ignoring traffic signals and signs and taking improper turns. In Florida, drivers who failed to yield caused 395 fatal accidents as well as 3,028 debilitating injuries and 11,109 non-incapacitating injuries. Those who disregarded traffic signs caused accidents resulting in 5 fatalities, 26 incapacitating injuries, and 110 non-incapacitating injuries.

Accidents From Road Hazards: In Florida in 2018, there were a total of 3,301 fatalities, 19,882 debilitating injuries, and 74,436 non-debilitating injuries due to road hazards like debris, construction work, obstructions, slippery roads, or out of order traffic controls.

This is only a highly redacted list. Aside from these, other major causes of car crashes in Okeechobee County include speeding and reckless driving, not giving right of way to vulnerable road users, tail-gating and overtaking, which result in hit-and-runs, rear-end collisions, T-bone and side impacts.

If you were in a car accident because of someone else's negligence, you may be eligible to pursue a claim to get financial compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Car accidents can cause serious injuries as well as death, which is devastating for the victim and their family. In case of severe injuries, the person may be unable to return to work or even perform his daily actions without assistance. They may also require extensive medical treatment for rehabilitation.

Some of the most common types of injuries that occur in car crashes include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries: A car accident can result in serious head injuries. Some brain injuries are such that their symptoms do not appear immediately after the accident. Instead, they build up gradually and then cause irreversible damage to the patient, often resulting in severe physical or psychological impairment, coma, and even death.

Internal Injuries and Internal Bleeding: Internal injuries are another type of damage that does not make their presence known immediately after an accident. These can be caused by damage to organs and muscles.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can be particularly debilitating. A simple whiplash may require bed rest for several weeks, while a fracture on the lower spinal cord can lead to paralysis of the lower limbs and a fracture to the upper spinal cord can lead to full paralysis.

Broken and Fractured Bones: Broken and fractured bones can take several months to heal. During this time, a person may not be able to go to work and earn an income. For some athletes or people who do manual labor, this can mean the end of a career. Surgical repair of fractures also causes thousands of dollars and all of this is the liability of the at-fault party.

Dislocated Shoulders, Knees, and Hips: Senior citizens are most vulnerable when it comes to dislocated joints during a car accident. This condition can be very painful and can leave the victim unable to carry out their normal functions for several days.

Other injuries associated with car crashes include back injuries, whiplash, lacerations, bruising, wrist and hand injury, and soft tissue damage.

Contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.

When car accidents in Okeechobee County are a result of another person's carelessness, you can file a claim for compensation. The Personal Injury Protection statute in Florida will allow the victim up to $10,000. This will cover only a percentage of your medical bills and lost wages. However, if your injuries are more severe and your damages exceed this then you will likely be entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.

For car accident claims, you may be entitled to:

Past and Future Medical Bills: Medical bills include hospitalization cost, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, surgery cost, and other treatment. Since this can account for a significant amount, the at-fault party may be liable for all past, current, and future medical bills generated because of the car accident. This also includes costs for temporary or permanent disability.

Lost Wages and/or Benefits and Reduced Earning Potential: A serious car accident means several days if not weeks or months of missing work. Some people depend on their limbs for their livelihood and if they get injured, they can no longer do their job. The at-fault party may also be liable for the loss of income generated due to his careless act.

Pain and Suffering: A serious accident can cause a lot of pain, anguish and a diminished quality of life - not only for the victim but for his family as well. Although this is a physical and emotional factor, our Florida auto accident lawyers will still try to estimate a monetary amount that can help make up for your pain and anguish.

Vehicle or Property Damage: A car accident inevitably leads to a damaged vehicle. All of the repairs or vehicle replacement will be the liability of the at-fault driver. Additionally, if you incurred other property damage, like a broken phone or watch which was expensive, you may be entitled to pursue compensation.

Sudden Funeral or Burial Expenses: A car accident may result in loss of life. In this case, the at-fault person may be responsible for a Wrongful Death claim and will be liable for funeral and burial expenses.

Loss of Consortium: Loss of consortium occurs when a spouse is left alone because of a wrongful death. Even though the loss of companionship, support and comfort cannot be recovered by money alone, our car accident lawyers will try to help you recover monetary compensation for your loss.

After a car accident, you may be in shock and at a loss for what to do. However, here are some suggested steps you may choose to follow:

If you are involved in a car accident, you should never leave the site until the police or an emergency respondent has arrived.

If you can, call 911 so that the local police can come to your rescue immediately. The officer will ensure that all parties are safe and will create a crash report of the accident which will detail what happened. It is important that you cooperate fully so that they have the true facts of what happened. Be sure to get a copy of the Drivers Exchange or the Traffic Crash Report.

You can also fill up a police report online through the City of Okeechobee Police Department:

City of Okeechobee Police Department

Phone: 863-763-5521 | 50 SE 2nd Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34972, United States

If you are injured, make sure you get the paramedics to examine you for injuries. If you think it is necessary, request to be transferred to a hospital. Be sure to have a complete medical examination for any injuries you may have sustained. You can go to your own personal physician or to a local emergency room. By getting medical assistance in time, all your injuries, including any hidden ones can be diagnosed early on and given the appropriate treatment.

In case you get involved in a car accident in Okeechobee, keep the contact information of a hospital at hand:

Raulerson Hospital

Phone: 863-763-2151 | 796 US-441, Okeechobee, FL 34972, United States

It is also important to take photos or even make a video of your injuries, the site of the accident, vehicles involved and any road signs or signals in the area. Also make a note of documenting all the details of the accident while they are still fresh in your memory. You can note down the driver's VIN, the driver's license number, and car insurance information.

If there are any witnesses in the area, take their name, phone number, emails and addresses so that they can be contacted to provide a statement on your behalf.

Once you have received your medical treatments, keep copies of your medical reports, your discharge paper as well as the invoices for your treatment form the medical facility.

The aftermath of a car accident can be a blur and the shock and confusion is even greater if you or your family member is grievously injured, or worse. This can cloud your judgment and make you unable to process things the right way.

After an automobile accident, you will likely get a call from the other party's insurance company. You should avoid giving a recorded statement or signing any documents without first speaking to an experienced car accident attorney. They have a duty to their company to only pay out the minimum amount of compensation to a claimant.

This is why if you get a call from an insurance agent, make sure you redirect them to your car accident lawyer.

The Statute of Limitations is a time period during which a person involved in a car accident can file a lawsuit for damages. According to Florida laws, a statute of limitation for a car accident in Florida is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time frame the court will likely dismiss your lawsuit and you will likely be unable to file your claim.

Therefore, contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers so that they can help pursue your claim while you still have the option to file your lawsuit, and help you get the compensation you deserve.

After a car accident, you should speak with an experienced and knowledgeable car accident lawyer who is available to serve Okeechobee. Our legal team can advise you as to your legal rights, what options you have for your case, and answer any questions you have.

At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we will fight passionately on your behalf to try and recover the compensation you deserve.

We will handle all communication with the at-fault party's insurance company and try to negotiate a fair and just settlement. If we are unable to settle your claim, we will pursue litigation on your behalf. Realistically, though, few car accident damages make their way to a trial. They are usually resolved out of court with a fair and appropriate outcome in your favor.

Our team of personal injury lawyers in Florida has over 40 years of combined legal experience in getting favorable settlements for our clients and we have collectively obtained over $200 million in compensation through settlements and verdicts for our valued clients.

If you have suffered an injury in a car accident, Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can offer you a free, no-strings attached consultation to discuss your options. If you decide to work with us, we will also offer you our services on a contingency fee basis.

Call now at 863-800-8000 to speak to a car accident lawyer. To know more about car accidents, check out our videos on YouTube.