Florida Side-Impact Car Accident Lawyer

Some car accidents are more serious than others because they result in injuries to the driver and/or passengers. For example, when one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle in a side-impact accident, those sitting on that side of the car may receive the full force of impact.

If you were injured in a side-impact car accident that occurred because of someone else’s reckless driving, West Palm Beach side-impact lawyers could provide legal help. Trustworthy injury lawyers could review the circumstances surrounding your accident and help you pursue compensation for any injuries and losses. By helping you file a claim, an experienced car accident attorney could help you hold the party responsible for your injuries accountable.

Injuries from Crashes

Side-impact car accidents have the potential to cause many different kinds of injuries. As a result, accident victims may need surgery or other medical procedures to fully recover. They may also require diagnostic tests and rehabilitative procedures as part of their treatment, such as:

• X-rays
• Ultrasound or MRI tests
• Physical therapy

Side-impact car accident victims may be able to recoup some or all of their medical expenses by filing a civil lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for their injuries. Purchases that involve long-term home healthcare equipment, such as crutches or wheelchairs, may also be compensable.

Laws Regarding Side-Impact Accidents

Individuals who sustained injuries from side-impact accidents are generally able to file a personal injury lawsuit if they suffered serious and permanent injury. Under Florida Statutes § 627.737, an individual must recover damages from their own insurance company under their personal injury policy. However, they may also be able to recover compensation if they have sustained any of the following:

• A significant and permanent loss of a bodily function
• Other significant and permanent injuries
• A significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Any death

These types of serious injuries may include paralysis, loss of limb function, amputation, traumatic brain injury, or any other serious injury that results in long-lasting damage. A West Palm Beach side-impact car accident attorney could assess an individual’s damages to see if and to what extent they are compensable.

How Percentage of Fault Affects Compensation

Florida uses the principle of “comparative negligence” to help determine damages due to a car accident. This principle means that potential plaintiffs who are partially at fault for their own injuries will generally receive less compensation than they would if they were not at fault at all.

For example, if an individual is 20 percent at fault for their own side-impact accident, a court would reduce their potential damage award by 20 percent. As a result, accident victims may benefit from consulting a West Palm Beach side-impact car accident lawyer to fight the defendant’s potential counterclaim that the plaintiff was more responsible for the accident than they actually were.

Contacting a West Palm Beach Side-Impact Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a side-impact car accident because someone drove carelessly, you may be able to file for financial compensation. After seeking medical care, consider calling a West Palm Beach side-impact car accident lawyer.

Knowledgeable attorneys can review the facts of your accident and help you decide your next steps. They can help you gather medical and financial documentation and represent you in any legal proceedings.

You should understand your rights regarding your car accident. Call a side-impact car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach to learn your legal options and to potentially seek compensation today.