Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer

While some people are lucky enough to walk away from a car accident unscathed, many collisions cause significant injuries that not only are costly to treat but also result in a diminished quality of life. Even though car accidents are a common occurrence, they are generally avoidable, and people who carelessly cause collisions should be held accountable for any damages that ensue. If you were injured in a crash, the dedicated Boca Raton car accident lawyers at The Grife Law Firm can advise you on your options and assist you in seeking to hold the parties responsible for your harm liable in a civil lawsuit.

Numerous factors can bring about a car crash. For example, inclement weather can cause slippery roads or reduced visibility, which make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely. Accidents also often arise due to defective car parts, such as tires that explode or brakes that malfunction, which cause an inability to stop or control the car. In most cases, however, collisions are caused to some degree by careless driving. For example, driving in excess of the posted speed limit or too fast for the present conditions, following too closely behind another vehicle, turning without clearance, and failing to use a turn signal are all examples of actions that can cause crashes. People driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, people texting while driving, inexperienced teenage drivers, and older drivers with delayed reaction times often cause accidents as well.

People who suffer harm in car accidents have a right to pursue damages from the party ultimately responsible for the accident in a civil lawsuit. A car accident attorney in Boca Raton can guide you through this process. Pursuant to Florida Statute 95.11(3)(a), any action based on a theory of negligence must be pursued within four years from the date of the harm. Under Florida Statute 95.11(3)(e), product liability actions must be filed within four years as well. Therefore, a lawsuit seeking damages for injuries in a collision typically must be commenced within four years of the accident, regardless of whether unsafe driving or a defective vehicle brought about the crash.

Since most car accidents are caused by people who failed to drive in a cautious manner, in most lawsuits arising out of collisions, the plaintiff will bring a negligence claim against the defendant driver. Under Florida law, proving negligence requires the plaintiff to show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty and that the defendant acted in a manner that represented a breach of the duty. In many instances, the duty owed will be the duty to act in the manner that a reasonable person would under the same circumstances, but in cases involving car accidents, the duty may also be imposed by a Florida statute regarding the safe operation of motor vehicles.

After establishing the duty owed and a breach of that duty, the plaintiff must prove that the breach caused the plaintiff to suffer actual damages. Depending on the nature of the accident, liability may be clear, but in some instances, the plaintiff and their Boca Raton car accident attorney may need to hire an accident reconstructionist to explain the manner in which the accident occurred. Additionally, it is not uncommon for a defendant in a car accident case to argue that the plaintiff caused the accident and that therefore the plaintiff should be denied compensation for any injuries caused by the accident. Under Florida’s pure comparative fault rule, though, which is set forth under Florida Statute 768.81, any fault attributed to a plaintiff will merely diminish the plaintiff’s damages proportionately and will not bar recovery. A plaintiff who successfully proves the defendant’s liability may be awarded compensation for both the economic and non-economic losses caused by the accident. These may include lost income, medical costs, pain and suffering, property damage, and costs related to future treatment.

Car accidents can cause grave and lasting harm, and people who suffer injuries due to car accidents have a right to seek compensation. At The Grife Law Firm, we are adept at helping people injured by the negligent acts of other parties pursue claims in Florida courts, and if you hire us, we will work diligently to help you pursue an appropriate compensation award through a settlement or verdict. The car accident lawyers at our Boca Raton firm frequently represent people in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Miami. We can be reached through our form online or at 855-998-0770 to set up a conference to discuss your legal needs.