Gainesville Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accidents have the ability to change your life physically, emotionally, and financially. They are the most common type of Gainesville personal injury claim. The Automobile Accident Injury Attorneys at The Eberst Law Firm can help you receive compensation for your losses. Motor Vehicle Accidents injure thousands of people every year, leaving victims with major losses. Only with the help of a Car Accident Attorney will you be able to obtain the benefits you deserve for your injuries.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Never drive away from the scene of a Gainesville auto accident, even a minor one. Be sure to stay where you are and make sure that the other driver or nearby pedestrians do not move anything. Call the police right away so they can properly document and report the accident.

Once you have called the police, take as many pictures as you can. These will be important later when it comes time to prove your case. Exchange insurance information with the other parties involved in the incident, and report the accident to your insurance company.

Seek medical attention for any injuries you have sustained. Most importantly, keep a file of everything pertaining to the accident to help protect your rights and aid your court case.

Before you speak with the at-fault party’s insurance company, you should speak with an attorney. Insurance companies want you to settle fast and low—and they’ll use dirty techniques to get you to do so. If you accept money upfront, you’ll have to sign away your right to file a lawsuit, thus limiting yourself to very minimal compensation. By hiring an attorney early, you can prevent this damage to your claim.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Florida

The Eberst Law Firm Lawyers are dedicated to protecting victims of car accidents and ensuring they are not taken advantage of by insurance companies.  If you are involved in a car crash that was caused by a negligent driver, whether it’s negligent, intentional, or careless acts, they should be held responsible for their behavior.

Our attorneys have the skills and resources to handle complicated auto accident cases and the ability to achieve maximum compensation for damages. Our team of lawyers is highly experienced in helping Car Accident Injury victims.

Distracted Driving

People that don’t give the task of driving the full attention it deserves can easily cause an accident with another motor vehicle, bicycle, or even pedestrian. Distracted driving is possibly the most common of accident-contributing behaviors and is well known for the number of people it kills every year.

While distracted driving is commonly exhibited through smartphone use while driving, there are actually a number of different behaviors that can be considered distracted driving. Some of these include eating, applying makeup, changing music, reaching for objects, smoking, and much more.

Drunk Driving

Many drivers make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol and becoming intoxicated. When someone drinks and drives, they put themselves, as well as others on the road, at risk of being involved in a severe accident that can cause permanent injury and even death. Driving under the influence results in reduced perception, slower reflexes, poor judgment, and lowered motor skills which can all add up to a mistake that can cause an accident.

Hit and Run

There are occasions when a person that was involved in a motor vehicle accident will flee the scene. The reasons for this can vary, but it is commonly due to guilt over their actions and fear of the consequences one must face. Regardless of the motivation, leaving the scene of an accident can be considered a hit-and-run, which is not only illegal but can be taken as a sign of fault for the accident.

Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Car accidents are highly individual. There are many different factors that go into a car accident, such as speed, angle of impact, location of impact, and type of vehicle. Even the slightest angle change could greatly impact the resulting injuries. However, there are a few injuries that are seen more frequently as a result of car accidents, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Fractures
• Strains and sprains
• Amputation
• Crushing injuries
• Internal injuries
• Cuts and bruises
• And more

Unfortunately, in some circumstances, a car accident may lead to death. Death may occur at the scene of the accident or later on because of complications. If your loved one has passed away due to a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. This will allow the family of the deceased to collect compensation for the damages their loved one experienced, as well as any damages they’ve experienced as a result of the death.

Florida Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Florida is known for being a dangerous state for motor vehicle drivers. Whether it’s bad drivers or bad infrastructure, the state always makes the top ten lists for the most accidents and fatalities.

• In the state of Florida in 2018, there were over 390,000 drivers involved in some kind of accident.
• 164,000 of those crashes resulted in injury, with almost 3,000 people losing their lives.
• Over 9,000 crashes involved a pedestrian.

Damages In A Florida Car Accident

Gainesville car accident victims sustain many different injuries that result in physical, emotional, and financial damages. These damages can include:

Medical expenses

Serious injuries may require hospitalization, surgeries, or even long-term care or assistance, and the expenses can add up quickly. Using your medical bills and letters from doctors, we’ll be able to determine your total medical damages as well as the damages for any medical expenses you may have to pay for in the future.

Pain and Suffering

Even with proper medical care, treatments for more serious injuries can involve arduous physical rehabilitation. The compensation is meant to compensate for the pain you’ve endured because of your injuries and the suffering that you’ve gone through.

Lost income

Many injuries can keep you out of work for a period of time or may even prevent you from ever returning to your previous job, which can compound your financial burdens. Pay stubs, medical records, and letters from employers are used to determine exactly how much you’ve lost (or will lose) in wages.

Property damage

Car repairs can cost a lot of money, and certain types of damage can immediately and significantly decrease a car’s value. In most cases, your auto insurance will cover the damages to your vehicle. If you have to pay out of pocket after using your insurance, you may be able to receive compensation equal to the money you lost.

Wrongful death

In the case of wrongful death, you’ll be able to receive compensation for burial costs, funeral costs, and any other damages that your loved one experienced as a result of the injury.

Should I Hire Any Lawyer For My Car Accident Case?

Insurance companies will use an experienced attorney in the event of a dispute over your insurance claim. An attorney of your own will help level the playing field. Clients who use an attorney often get more money for their cases and have their claims denied far less in court.

The Eberst Law Firm has local connections to law enforcement, medical treatment centers, accident reconstruction specialists, and so many more individuals that can add value to your claim. With these connections and our passion for justice, we’ll be able to get you the compensation that you deserve.

Experienced Car Crash Attorneys in Gainesville

We will answer any questions our clients may have, explain their legal rights, and help them through every step of this difficult process. We are committed to each client and helping them receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact The Eberst Law Firm online or call our Gainesville office at 772-225-4900 to discuss your case in a free consultation with one of our experienced Gainesville car accident attorneys.

About the Author of this Page: The above information was written or reviewed by one of the attorneys at The Eberst Law Firm, who have extensive experience trying legal cases outside and inside courtrooms throughout Florida. This article was also extensively researched to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date. If you want to know more about the author of this page, view our attorney bios here.