Car Accident Lawyer Serving Stuart
The City of Stuart is situated near Florida’s Atlantic Treasure Coast and is the seat of Martin County. Also known as “The Sailfish Capital of the World,” Stuart, as of 2017, has an estimated population of 16,543.
This beautiful coastal city is renowned for its fishing and water sports as well as its pedestrian-friendly and historic downtown. Like many of Florida’s idyllic coastal cities, Stuart is filled with tourists almost every day of the year. Unfortunately, because of the volume of incoming tourist traffic as well as substance abuse and reckless driving, Stuart witnesses many car accidents every year.
According to the latest data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Martin County alone experienced 3,466 crashes in 2017, which resulted in 2,087 injuries, and 25 fatalities.
If you or your loved ones have been injured in a car accident in Stuart, you may be entitled to pursue compensation. Frankl Kominsky injury lawyers can help investigate your claim and pursue justice for the wrong you have suffered.
Common Causes for Stuart Car AccidentsThere are many causes for a car accident, but even a small accident can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common causes for car accidents in Stuart include:
Drunk Driving
When a person is under the influence of alcohol, their blood alcohol level is 0.08 or higher. This leads to impaired brain activity and such a person driving a car can cause serious accidents, which result in property damage, injuries, and even death. In fact, accidents due to drunk driving are way too common.
Distracted Driving
The number one cause for distracted driving is texting on your cell phone while driving. Even a single moment that involves taking your eyes or mind off the road can and does cause very serious accidents.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy drivers can experience grogginess, impaired vision, and slow reactions while driving. A lot of times, drowsy drivers are overworked truck drivers or people using certain medications that cause drowsiness.
Failure to Obey Road Rules
Not obeying traffic rules can lead to accidents. When it comes to driving, ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
Running Red Lights
Running a red light can cause major accidents, including side impacts. These impacts are very dangerous since they do not offer any protection to the passengers from the oncoming car. Side impacts can cause rollovers as well as lead to pileups at an intersection. They can cause significant injuries and even death.
Reckless Driving
Excessive speeding or an attempt to overtake a vehicle are serious road hazards and can prove fatal. A lot of time reckless driving is a result of substance abuse.
Tailgating
Impatient or angry drivers can bring their vehicles in dangerous proximity to other vehicles. This can result in rear-ending accidents or the car swerving off the road, which can lead to serious injuries and death.
Inclement Weather
Harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, hail, storms, and fog can all reduce driver’s visibility and control of their vehicle. Hence it is very important for people to exercise extra caution during these conditions.
Injuries Related to Car AccidentsThe injuries a person sustains in a car accident can have life-altering impacts on a person’s life. They may not be able to work, drive, or continue to live a quality life after such a traumatic incident. They may also require hospitalization and prolonged medical treatment due to their injuries. Some of the most common type of car injuries involve:
- Bruising and laceration of face, hands, and chest
- Neck, back or limb sprain
- Whiplash
- Fracture of the spine, head, or limbs
- Disk herniations
- Paralysis
- Dental injuries and jaw displacement
- Dislocated joints and crushed limbs
- Traumatic Brain Injury
The attorneys at Frankl Kominsky understand the financial burdens involved in traumatic accidents and can help you pursue your personal injury claim.
What to Do After a Car Accident in StuartThe immediate aftermath of a car accident is very confusing and chaotic. If you become involved in a car accident, here are some things you should consider:
Call 911 and Emergency Medical ServicesCall the Stuart Police Department or the Martin County Sheriff Office immediately after a car crash in Stuart so that an officer is dispatched to the scene of the accident.
The officer will ensure all parties are safe, will investigate what happened and write an accident report.
Gather as much information as you can at the scene of the accident. This includes taking photos of your injuries, your car, and writing down all the details that are fresh in your mind. You should also write down the vehicle’s license plate number, driver license number, car insurance information, and contact information of the other party involved in the accident. If there are any witnesses who have seen the accident happen, get contact information from them as well.
Seek Immediate Medical TreatmentGet medical care immediately after the accident. You can go to your own doctor or a local hospital.
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At Frankl Kominsky, we have represented victims injured in car and auto accidents in Palm Beach County, and throughout Florida. Our firm has over 40 years of combined legal experience, which resulted with more than $200 million in verdicts and settlements.
Damages You Can Pursue for a Car Accident in StuartYou may be able to make a claim for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, vehicle replacements and others depending on your accident. Some types of compensation that you can seek for car accident cases in Stuart include:
Medical Bills and Future Medical Expenses: This refers to any health care cost that may arise as a direct result of the accident. This includes emergency care, physical therapy, surgery, payment for prescription medication, diagnostic imaging, and other medical expenses.
Current and Future Loss of Income: If your injuries prevent you from going to work, you can pursue compensation of lost current and future wages. Additionally, some injuries can reduce or end a person’s capacity to earn an income, resulting in a lifetime loss of income.
Property Repair and Replacement: Since all liabilities for the crash rests on the at-fault party’s shoulder, you should not have to pay for the damages to your car that someone else cost. Fortunately, we can help you include these costs in the settlement amount.
Transportation Cost: People who have suffered a traumatic car crash may be left with PTSD which prevents them from driving. Additionally, your car may be damaged or totaled during the accident and while you are waiting for it to be fixed, you will require transport. Whichever case it is, our lawyers can help you get a settlement for it as well.
Pain and Suffering: The physical pain that you suffer from a car accident will also be taken into account during settlement or if you take your case to court. This refers to not just payment for injuries you suffered at the time of the accident, but also any long-lasting consequences of that injury, like limb amputation. It also refers to emotional pain and mental anguish that can be debilitating in many ways. These include depression, loss of appetite, inability to sleep for fear of nightmares, chronic fear of driving, etc.
Punitive Damages: All the above damages are compensatory damages and are necessary to make the victim live his life in as normal a way as possible. However, there is another category called “punitive” damage. These damages are meant to punish the defendant for their negligent behavior and to deter them from future similar misconduct. However, not all car accidents warrant punitive damages. Some instants when punitive damage could potentially be awarded include:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Accident caused by a known malfunction in the car
- The driver intentionally caused the accident
In Florida there is a Statute of Limitations which is the time by which your lawsuit must be filed. In personal injury cases involving negligence, you’ll have a maximum of 2 years (from the date of the accident) to file your lawsuit. For accidents that have resulted in a fatality, you have just a maximum of 2 years (from the time of the death) to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the Statute of Limitations, your lawsuit will likely be dismissed and you may be barred from pursuing your claim. See: Florida Statute section 95.11(3)(a).
How Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers Can Help YouFrankl Kominsky personal injury lawyers have 40 years of combined court-related experience and have helped over 6,000 clients get rightful compensation for their damages. Our legal team has secured millions of dollars of monetary compensation either through out-of-court settlements or through jury verdicts.
We understand how catastrophic a car accident can be for your physical, emotional, and mental health. Our car accident lawyers are available to represent victims of car accidents in Stuart and throughout Florida. As you focus on recovering from your physical and mental trauma, we will continue to fight on your behalf.
Start Your Free Consultation for Car Accident or InjuryFrankl Kominsky is a personal injury firm in South Florida dedicated to providing reliable legal representation to victims of car accidents. We are committed to help you get your life back together and healing from the trauma of personal injury.
Our experienced car accident lawyers can try to help you recover fair compensation for your injuries and losses without you going through the hassle of working with insurance companies.
Schedule a free no-obligation consultation today. We offer a contingency fee basis which means you do not have to pay anything unless we recover on your behalf.
Our legal team can be reached easily by phone at 855-800-8000. You can also fill out our free case evaluation form to schedule your free consultation.