Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accidents

Car accidents can have serious, long-term effects on your life. They can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, and many other debilitating injuries that create significant physical, mental, and financial hardships. 

Types of Car Accident in Florida

At Rue & Ziffra, we handle all types of car accidents that occur in Port Orange, Deland, Palm Coast, Lake Mary, and surrounding areas including:

Head-on Collisions
Rear-end Collisions
Multi-car Pileups
Sideswipe Accidents
Collisions at Intersections
T-Bone Accidents
Single-vehicle Collisions
Vehicle Rollover Accidents
Tailgating Accidents
Hit-and-Run Accidents

We Get Results

What Causes Florida Car Accidents?

The vast majority of car accidents in Florida are caused by some form of driver negligence. Common causes of car accidents include:

Distracted Drivers

Phones, GPS, and other gadgets are distractions for many drivers. Also, tasks like eating and putting on makeup can divert a driver’s attention from the road. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, every day in the United States, about nine people are killed, and over 1,000 are injured in crashes that involved a distracted driver.

Speeding

Traveling even a few mph over the speed limit can be dangerous and lead to a serious accident. The reality is it takes longer to stop a speeding vehicle, and the force released in a collision with a speeding car is greater than it would be for a car that is traveling at or below the speed limit.

Aggressive Driving

Drivers who drive recklessly and aggressively are prone to speeding, changing lanes too quickly, and tailgating. All these driver behaviors are likely to cause a car accident.

Running Stop Signs and Stoplights

Car accidents can occur when drivers ignore stop signs and stoplights. Serious side-impact car accidents are often the result.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Drivers not making lane changes safely can result in an accident. Drivers need to use their turn signals, check blind spots, and proceed with caution when changing lanes.

Fatigue

Overly tired motorists account for a significant number of accidents in Florida each year. Drowsy drivers tend to have a difficult time staying in their lanes. Studies show that driving while fatigued presents many of the same challenges as driving while intoxicated.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a cause of many accidents each year. When a driver is intoxicated, they are at a much greater risk of causing an accident.

Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Studies in 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 3142 people died in car crashes involving distraction. This is an increase of 10% from 2018 where 2858 deaths were caused by distracted driving. NHTSA also estimates that 8.8% of drivers were using some type of phone, either hand-held or hands-free, at any typical daylight moment in 2019. Looking at your phone will usually take your eyes off the road for at least five seconds or more. Oftentimes, the texting driver isn’t even aware that they are about to cause an accident until they feel the impact of the collision.

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions can make roads very dangerous. When it’s raining heavily or foggy, it’s typically more difficult to navigate a car safely and see other vehicles on the road. Rain and ice can create slick road surfaces, which can cause a vehicle to spin out of control or skid when braking.

Defective Vehicles

Sometimes defects in cars or safety equipment, such as faulty brakes and airbags, can lead to accidents. The manufacturers responsible for their defective products can be held liable if their products cause injury.

Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Common injuries in Florida car accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – The extreme forces in a car crash can damage the fragile structures of the brain. TBIs frequently cause life-long impairment and may prevent a victim from working or engaging in basic activities of life.

  • Whiplash – During a car accident, the head can “whip” back and forth rapidly, particularly with rear-end collisions. This whipping action can cause inflammation and severe pain in the victim’s neck and shoulders. Tearing, pulling, and rupturing can occur in the muscles and ligaments, leading to painful symptoms that require long-term medical care.

  • Broken bones – Fractures are a common car accident injury. A car accident victim could suffer a broken arm, leg, or spine, among other bones. Being thrust into the dashboard, steering wheel, or airbag is a common cause of a bone break.

  • Chest injuries – While chest injuries typically take the form of bruises or contusions, they can also be more serious, including broken ribs and internal injuries. Drivers often suffer chest injuries because of their position behind the steering wheel. 

  • Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries are often among the most serious. These injuries can cause paralysis that results in permanent loss of strength, feeling, and function. 

  • Scrapes and cuts – During a car accident, any loose objects inside the car can become projectiles moving about the car’s interior. This can include coffee mugs, glasses, books, purses, mounted GPS systems, and more. If any of these items strike your body, they can cut your skin or cause another injury. Severe scrapes and cuts can result in loss of blood and could require stitches. Cuts and scrapes can also be caused by a deployed airbag. 

  • Burns – Because most cars run on gasoline, they can catch fire on impact. Burn injuries can cause severe pain, disfigurement, and scarring. Burn injuries can affect you for the remainder of your life, and you could undergo long-term treatment. 

  • Emotional stress – Car accidents often lead to mental distress. After the crash, the thought of driving could cause stress and anxiety. If the accident was particularly traumatic, a person may become afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms may include nightmares, unwanted memories, heightened reactions, anxiety, and depression.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

After a serious injury or accident, victims and their families have many questions in mind. We encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation, so we can personally address all your questions and concerns.

Meanwhile, these are a few of the most common questions we hear from our clients:

How much does a car accident attorney cost?

Usually, a lawyer can not tell you exactly how much it will cost for them to represent your car accident lawsuit on the first day. Numerous questions need to be answered. There is a chance the other driver will be willing to settle your case quickly. The insurance company may agree to pay your claim at the outset. However, if the defendant disputes liability, they may decide to drag your case to trial.

If your case has to go to trial, it can become expensive. Trials are time-consuming. To prepare for trial, your car accident lawyer will have to do a large amount of work. They’ll need to investigate the matter to prove fault. They may need to hire experts to testify on your behalf. Now, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay for all of these things up front.

Depending on your case, your attorney may offer you a variety of payment options.

How do I know if I have a case with a car accident attorney?

Determining whether or not you have a case depends on three things. First, your lawyer will have to decide if there are enough damages involved to make it worth their while. If your case is only going to settle for a couple of thousand dollars, it may not be worth their time and effort. This may seem harsh, but it’s the truth.

The second thing your lawyer will look at is whether the defendant has resources. If there’s an insurance company involved, there’s a good chance your damages will be paid. However, if the suit is against an individual, your attorney is going to want to know if they have assets. If not, it may be difficult. Your judgment may not be worth more than the paper it’s printed on.

Finally, you need to determine if you can prove liability. If there is no evidence to support your claim, your lawyer will have a hard time proving fault. There has to be sufficient facts and evidence to prove that the other party was responsible for your injuries.

What if I was injured because my brake failed or my air bag didn't deploy?

While most auto accidents are the result of driver negligence, we handle a significant number of cases involving vehicle defects as well. If a vehicle defect caused your crash (such as a brake failure) or contributed to your injuries (such as a non-deploying airbag), contact our firm. We will look into seeking full compensation for your injuries from your vehicle’s manufacturer. Common vehicle defect claims include dangerous and faulty:

  • Accelerator pedals
  • Airbags
  • Child safety seats and booster seats
  • Brakes
  • Seatbelts
  • Seats
What do I need to know about getting my car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle repaired after an accident?

Despite what they say, the insurance companies are not on your side. When it comes to fixing your vehicle after an accident, they want to pay as little for parts and service as possible.
As a result, when getting your car fixed, you need to be very careful about relying on the estimate provided by your insurance company’s recommended repair shop. You are entitled to request an estimate and service from a shop of your choosing, and you are entitled to have your vehicle fixed (or replaced) according to the terms of your auto insurance policy.
Also, if your policy includes coverage for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop, make sure you get the car to which you are entitled under your policy. Oftentimes, insurance companies will upsell rental car allowances and then offer a minimum daily rate when you file a claim.

What is accident reconstruction and how can it help with my car accident claim?

When seeking full compensation for accident-related injuries, you need to be able to prove that someone else (e.g., a negligent driver or a vehicle manufacturer) was to blame for the accident. One of the best ways to do this is through accident reconstruction, which is a scientific method of demonstrating exactly what happened during a collision. With the help of meticulously calibrated measurement tools, computer animations, and other sophisticated technologies, accident re-constructionists can recreate accident scenes for use as evidence in court.

Can I Get Compensation for My Car Accident?

No-fault auto insurance laws in Florida require accident victims to file a claim with their own insurance company after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Because Florida is a no-fault state, you must file a claim with your insurance carrier to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. 

Under Florida law, people who get in a car accident are required to contact the police immediately if the accident was severe enough to result in:

  • Personal injury
  • Death
  • Property damage exceeding $500

Under Florida’s no-fault law, a person who is injured in a car accident is required to seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident to preserve their right to recover compensation under their injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. Your medical expenses will be covered under PIP up to your policy limits. If your medical bills exceed your policy limits, you can pursue the at-fault person and their insurance policy to cover your excess expenses.

At Rue & Ziffra Law Offices, we can make sure that you follow Florida’s insurance laws so that you preserve your right to receive financial compensation from your insurance company. In addition to recovering compensation that your insurance company owes to you, our legal team can explore your options concerning filing an insurance claim with the responsible party’s insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit against the individual who was responsible for causing the accident. 

If the negligent or reckless actions of a third party caused your car accident, Rue & Ziffra Law Offices can help you pursue compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
  • Lost wages 
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Rehabilitative costs, including costs for physical therapy 
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship and funeral expenses in cases of wrongful death
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, please visit one of our locations in Port Orange, Deland, or Palm Coast and allow the Florida car accident attorneys at Rue & Ziffra to help you deal with the stressful aftermath. We understand what you and your family are going through, and we’re ready to offer skilled legal representation and answer any questions you may have.

We want to help you move forward with your life and seek the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us today or contact us online.

Office Locations

Port Orange

632 Dunlawton Ave.
Port Orange FL, 32127
Phone: (386) 221-2957

Deland

101 N. Woodland Blvd.- Suite 201
Deland, FL 32720
Phone: (386) 204-0086

Palm Coast

4879 Palm Coast NW - Suite 1
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Phone: (386) 433-2168

Lake Mary

1540 International Pkwy - Suite 2000
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: (407) 259-4485

Winter Park

941 W Morse Blvd.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Phone: (407) 634-2250

Orlando

7380 W Sand Lake Rd.
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 329-3976
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