Rear-end collisions are some of the most common road accidents in the United States, and if you are the victim of one, you might be dealing with an injury, property damage, and possibly the loss of a loved one.
You deserve to receive compensation for the losses you suffered due to this collision. The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is equipped with knowledge that could help you take legal action into seeking financial awards as you recover from your accident. Contact us today at (844) 730-0233 so that you can take the first steps in working with a St. Petersburg rear-end collisions lawyer.
How Rear-End Collisions Happen in St. Petersburg
There are several common causes of rear-end collisions in the St. Petersburg area. Often, we see them happening on the Howard Frankland bridge during traffic jams or on surface streets. The causes of these accidents can include:
- Bad weather: We get a lot of rainy days in Florida, and that rain can cause the interstates, highways, and surface streets to be slippery. Someone could be following another vehicle too closely and unable to stop in time before hitting another driver on a wet roadway.
- Distracted driving: Drivers can be distracted for many reasons, including looking at a text message, glancing at the radio, or even talking on a cellphone while driving. When they take their eyes off the road, they reduce their chances of stopping in time.
- Speeding: If a driver is driving too fast and not following the posted speed limit, the person could end up hitting another motorist from behind, especially if they are also erratically changing lanes.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Operating a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can very well inhibit a driver from using their reflexes properly, which could cause an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end collisions lawyer serving St.Petersburg, call (844) 730-0233
What You Might Need to Do After a Rear-End Collision
After you endure a rear-end collision and go through the motions of getting a police report, assessing your injuries, and figuring out the damage done to your vehicle, you will still be faced with a lot of tasks to handle. When you are busy trying to recover from an injury such as whiplash, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether the insurance companies—both yours and that of the other driver—are going to cooperate with you and provide adequate compensation.
A personal injury law firm such as Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you explore your legal options. In an initial call, a representative from our legal team will take down the details of your case and let you know the next steps to take. Give us a call today so that we can start working for you.
If you decide to hire a St. Petersburg rear-end collisions lawyer, then they will step in and begin communicating with all involved parties for you. Your lawyer will take on tasks for you, such as:
- Negotiating with your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company
- Compiling relevant documentation, such as police reports, witness statements, security camera footage, medical records, and anything else
- Filing your claim or lawsuit on time to meet the statute of limitations deadline
St.Petersburg Rear-End Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Florida Statute of Limitations and Proving Negligence
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), the state allows a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions, which would include your rear-end collision. Four years sounds like a lot of time to file, but keep in mind that any surrounding circumstance could affect that timeframe. A lawyer can put your case together and file for you with plenty of time left so that you are not left scrambling and trying to figure out what to do if there are new developments in your case.
As the plaintiff in the case, proving negligence falls on you. For you to prove negligence, four elements that must be established:
- Duty of care: This means the defendant had a duty to reasonably protect you. In this case, it was their duty to drive correctly and avoid rear-ending your vehicle.
- Breach of duty: You need to show they breached their duty by hitting your car from behind and were liable for the accident. In other words, they failed to perform their duty adequately.
- Causation: You then must demonstrate that their breach of duty directly caused the rear-end collision as well as any injuries or personal property damage.
- Damages: Show what damages and injuries you suffered due to the collision, and you will then have proven eligibility to seek compensation for the accident.
Florida uses comparative negligence as outlined in Florida Statutes § 768.81. This means you can be assigned part of the blame for the accident but still eligible to collect compensation. If you are assigned 10 percent of the fault and your award is $1,000,000, then your award would be reduced by that percentage, and you would walk away with $900,000.
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Compensation You Could Receive from Your Claim
When you file your claim for your rear-end accident, there are types of compensation that you could file for, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Personal property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
You have suffered enough from the rear-end collision as it is, and you should not be stuck with mounting financial consequences from an accident that was not your fault. Your attorney will help you determine what to file for, as they are working on your behalf to be compensated for the accident, as well as any pain and suffering you might be facing.
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Call Our Legal Team Today for a Consultation
If you are recovering from a rear-end collision in the St. Petersburg, Florida, area, and you are interested in legal recourse for financial recovery, the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, might be able to help you. We encourage you to pick up the phone and speak with one of our representatives.
Your St. Petersburg rear-end collision lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront until we win your settlement for you. Give us a call today at (844) 730-0233, for a free consultation so that we can talk about the circumstances of your case.
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