Car accidents and car crashes can irreparably and irreversibly alter our lives in the blink of an eye. Despite the obvious dangers associated with operating a car, we can’t avoid it. In our current world, we all have to get on the roads to get things done, and we have to share those roads with some pretty wild drivers. So, if you think you may need an Orlando car accident attorney, the information on this page could help you.
The reality is that a car accident is a massive hassle, and this is true even when serious injuries aren’t involved. For example, we’re forced to put our lives on pause, hang out in traffic, and wait for a police report. Then, we have to fight with an insurance company that is trying to do everything it can to keep from handing over money. Now, throw in some serious injuries, and the car accident is life-consuming. It’s awful; it’s a mess; and you shouldn’t have to go through all that alone.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash and think you may need help from us, please don’t hesitate to contact our downtown Orlando, Florida law firm at (321) 352-7588 for a free initial consultation.
Florida Car Accident Statistics
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles compiles traffic accident data for Florida every year. So, we have distilled the FLHSMV traffic crash report statistics for Florida car accidents below.
Total Motor Vehicle Crashes in Florida
In this context, the FLHSMV defines a car crash as the operation of a motor vehicle in Florida, which results in property damage, a complaint of bodily injury, or bodily injury or death to any person.
- 2018 / 403,626 Crashes
- 2019 / 402,733 Crashes
- 2020 / 341,367 Crashes
- 2021 / 292,567 Crashes
Total Injuries From Car Crashes in Florida
The FLHSMV defines an injury as the total number of people who sustained bodily injury or damage or complained of bodily injury or damage as a result of a car crash.
- 2018 / 255,353 Injuries
- 2019 / 255,255 Injuries
- 2020 / 212,418 Injuries
- 2021 / 184,346 Injuries
Total Fatalities From Car Crashes in Florida
In this context, the FLHSMV defines a fatality as a death that results from a traffic crash, and only fatalities that occurred within 30 days of the crash are considered traffic-related.
- 2018 / 3,135 Fatalities
- 2019 / 3,191 Fatalities
- 2020 / 3,323 Fatalities
- 2021 / 2,607 Fatalities
Florida Car Accident Lawsuits
Now, let’s shift gears and talk a little about the legal aspects of a car accident. These are the types of things your Orlando car accident attorney will think about while evaluating your case.
If a driver injures a person while driving, the injured person may have a claim against that driver for negligence. Negligence is the cause of action in most personal injury cases where one person (the defendant) engages in careless actions or omissions that cause harm to another person (the plaintiff). As a result of the defendant’s careless actions that caused harm to the plaintiff, the plaintiff may have a cause of action against the defendant for negligence.
The Elements of a Florida Car Accident Lawsuit
In a car accident case, which is a type of negligence action, the plaintiff must prove the 4 elements of negligence. Thus, your Orlando car accident attorney must show the following:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff;
- The defendant breached the duty by a negligent act or omission;
- The defendant’s breach was the actual and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury; and
- The plaintiff suffered an injury or damages.
If your Orlando car accident attorney can prove these four elements, you likely have a viable lawsuit. This means you are likely entitled to compensation for costs associated with the crash, like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wagers.
Causes of Car Accident Lawsuits in Florida
There are many ways a car accident can turn into a lawsuit, and some of the more common car accident cases involve the following:
- Defective Vehicles
- Speeding Vehicles
- Vehicle Rollover
- Changing Lanes into Another Vehicle
- Reckless Driving
- Road Defects
- Intoxicated Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Running a Stop Sign
- Running a Red Light
- Throwing a Spare Tire
- Driving Too Fast
- Pile Ups
- Rear-End Collisions
There are many ways to be harmed in a motor vehicle, as you can see from the list above. Additionally, there are many types of vehicles that could be involved. For example, you may be involved in a car accident, or you may be involved in a motorcycle accident, a truck or 18-wheeler accident, or a school bus accident. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or any kind of traffic accident, we recommend you contact an Orlando car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Common Injuries From Car Accidents
There are a variety of injuries a person might suffer in a car accident. Here are some of the more common injuries we see every day:
Head & Brain Injuries
These types of injuries could include concussions, traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain bleeding, skull fractures, or disfiguring injuries that require plastic surgery and/or restorative surgery.
Neck, Back & Spine Injuries
These types of injuries could include whiplash, spinal cord damage, herniated discs, or strains and sprains.
Burn Injuries
This could include fatal or disfiguring burns that may require skin grafts. These injuries often cause disfigurement and can require multiple painful plastic surgeries to restore.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These injuries include injuries to the skin, muscles, and tendons, which can often result in extreme and lasting pain.
Bone Injuries
These injuries include broken and bruised bones, which can require surgery to repair and lots of time to heal.
Costs of Your Orlando Car Accident
There are many financial consequences to a car accident. The following are some of the costs associated with car accidents:
- Medical Bills
- Property Damage Costs
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Future Earnings
- Physical Pain
- Emotional Pain and Distress
- Increased Insurance Premiums
Do You Need to Speak to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney?
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident in Florida, you should speak with a skilled, experienced, and aggressive Orlando car accident lawyer as soon as possible because you may be entitled to compensation. Please don’t hesitate to contact us on our website, or you can call our Orlando, Florida personal injury law firm today at (321) 352-7588 to schedule your free consultation by phone. When you schedule a consultation at our law firm, you will get a consultation with a Florida car accident lawyer, not a customer service representative or intake person.
If you need a South Carolina personal injury lawyer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (843) 638-6590. We have at least one lawyer licensed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. So, if you’ve been injured in the Southeast, we may be able to help you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
For more information on personal injury cases in general, you can download our free personal injury guide: P.I. 101: Your Quick Guide to Personal Injury Claims.