Daytona Beach Car Accident Lawyers
Serving Clients from Our Office in Port Orange. We're Available 24/7!
At Politis & Matovina, P.A., our Daytona Beach car accident attorneys leverage over a century’s worth of collective legal experience to represent victims of car accidents in Florida. We have the knowledge and personalized approach needed to address every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery, rather than your legal issues.
If you have been injured in an auto accident because of another driver’s careless or reckless actions, then you are in no way on your own in this struggle. You might be entitled to compensation for your losses, including your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, and you have the right to hire an attorney to help you get that compensation from the parties who caused your accident.
To date, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions for our clients with some of our largest victories coming from car accident cases much like yours.
Begin a free case evaluation with our skilled Daytona Beach car accident attorneys by calling us at (386) 333-6613 anytime, 24/7!
We've Recovered Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
When you are trying to recover from serious injuries, it can be all but impossible to address the many aspects of your case all by yourself. To help you focus on your recovery, our staff will take care of every step in the legal process. Better yet, we will strive to always keep you informed whenever there is an important step or decision, so you won’t have to be afraid about being left in the dark.
Our approach to car accident casework involves:
- Obtaining official police reports
- Securing witness testimonies
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts if necessary
- Calculating compensation for medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and more
- Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company if possible
- Preparing for court trial if a settlement proves impossible or against your best interests
This approach combined with our refusal to back down when faced with bullying insurance company tactics has given us a strong reputation in Central Florida and throughout the country. Many of our cases come from word-of-mouth referrals and referrals from other law firms.
Seeing our name on a demand letter or docket can even influence the insurance company’s actions upfront, such as pre-pressuring them into settling because they know a courtroom fight against us could be futile.
What to Do After a Car Crash
If you're involved in a car accident in Daytona Beach, it's crucial to follow certain steps to ensure your safety, comply with the law, and protect your legal rights. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps you should take:
1. Ensure Safety
Immediately after the accident, check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away to request medical assistance. If the vehicles can be safely moved, try to relocate them out of traffic to avoid further accidents. If it’s not safe to move, turn on hazard lights and wait for emergency services to arrive.
2. Call the Police
Even if the accident seems minor, Florida law requires that accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage be reported to the police. The responding officer will create an official accident report, which is crucial for any insurance claims or potential lawsuits. If the police don’t come to the scene, you can file a report yourself at a local law enforcement office.
3. Exchange Information
Gather the necessary information from all involved drivers, including:
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Insurance company names and policy numbers
- Vehicle make, model, and license plate numbers
- Location of the accident Also, try to gather contact information from any witnesses, as their statements could be helpful later on.
4. Document the Scene
Take photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles’ positions, damage to the cars, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Photographs can serve as critical evidence when dealing with insurance companies or if legal action is required. Make sure to capture all angles to provide a complete picture of what occurred.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, or internal trauma might not be immediately apparent. In Florida, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days to access Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits through your insurance policy, which covers your medical expenses and lost wages.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident. Florida is a no-fault state, so your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will cover your initial medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. Be honest but avoid admitting fault or making definitive statements about the accident until all facts are known.
7. Keep Records of Medical Treatment and Expenses
Maintain detailed records of your medical treatment, including doctor visits, prescriptions, therapies, and any other medical care related to the accident. Also, track your out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation costs for medical visits, and keep all related bills and receipts. This documentation is essential for insurance claims and potential legal cases.
8. Consult a Car Accident Lawyer
While not mandatory, consulting with a lawyer after a car accident is highly recommended, especially if you’ve suffered serious injuries or are facing disputes over fault or compensation. A Florida car accident attorney can guide you through the process, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other losses.
9. File an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit
After reporting the accident to your insurer, you’ll likely file a claim under your PIP coverage. However, if your injuries are severe and exceed the limits of your PIP coverage, or if the other driver was at fault, you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit for additional compensation. In Florida, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damages.
Common Types of Car Accidents
A car accident, also known as a traffic accident or motor vehicle accident, is an unexpected event that occurs when one or more vehicles collide with each other, objects, pedestrians, or animals on the road. Car accidents can result in a wide range of consequences, including property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. They can happen for various reasons and in various circumstances.
Here are some common types of car accidents:
- Rear-End Collision: This occurs when one vehicle strikes the vehicle in front of it. Rear-end collisions are often caused by tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops.
- Head-On Collision: A head-on collision happens when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with their front ends. These accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities.
- Side-Impact Collision (T-bone): In a side-impact collision, one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, typically at a right angle. Intersections are common locations for T-bone accidents.
- Sideswipe Collision: In a sideswipe collision, two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide along their sides. This can occur when one vehicle attempts to change lanes without noticing another vehicle.
- Rollover Accident: Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips over onto its roof or side. This type of accident can be caused by factors such as high speed, sharp turns, or a vehicle's design.
- Single-Vehicle Accident: These accidents involve only one vehicle and may result from factors like driver error, poor road conditions, or adverse weather.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileup: Multi-vehicle pileups involve three or more vehicles and often occur on highways, especially in adverse weather conditions.
- Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident: These accidents involve a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian or cyclist. They can result in serious injuries or fatalities, and are often caused by driver inattention or failure to yield.
- Hit and Run: A hit and run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing their information or rendering aid to injured parties.
- Animal-Related Collision: These accidents happen when a vehicle collides with animals on the road, such as deer, dogs, or livestock. They can lead to vehicle damage and injuries.
- Intersection Collision: Intersection accidents occur at crossroads when two or more vehicles collide. Failure to obey traffic signals and signs is a common cause of these accidents.
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence) Accident: DUI accidents happen when one or more drivers involved in the collision are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing their judgment and reaction times.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can result from a variety of factors, often involving a combination of these elements. Common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: One of the leading causes of accidents, distracted driving occurs when a driver diverts their attention away from the road. Common distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using in-car entertainment systems.
- Speeding: Driving at speeds higher than the posted limits or too fast for road and weather conditions reduces a driver's ability to react to unexpected situations and increases the severity of accidents.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver's judgment, reaction times, and coordination, making them more likely to cause accidents.
- Reckless Driving: Reckless behaviors such as aggressive driving, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and excessive lane changing can lead to accidents.
- Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Failing to obey traffic signals and signs can result in intersection collisions and other accidents.
- Fatigue: Drowsy driving can impair a driver's alertness, attention, and reaction times, similar to the effects of alcohol or drugs.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, fog, and heavy winds, reduce visibility and traction, making accidents more likely.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven road surfaces, lack of proper signage, and poor road maintenance can contribute to accidents.
- Mechanical Failures: Vehicle malfunctions, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, or engine problems, can lead to accidents, especially if drivers are unable to control their vehicles.
- Inexperienced or Young Drivers: Inexperienced drivers, particularly teenagers, may lack the skills and judgment necessary to handle complex driving situations.
- Tailgating: Following another vehicle too closely reduces reaction time and increases the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Aggressive Behavior: Aggressive driving, including road rage incidents, can escalate and lead to accidents.
- Failing to Yield the Right of Way: Not yielding the right of way, especially at intersections, can result in collisions.
- Inadequate Signaling: Failure to use turn signals or brake lights to indicate intentions can confuse other drivers and lead to accidents.
- Poor Visibility: Limited visibility due to factors like fog, rain, or nighttime driving can make it difficult for drivers to see and react to hazards on the road.
- Wildlife and Animals: Collisions with animals, such as deer, can occur in rural and forested areas, leading to accidents.
- Construction Zones: Reduced speed limits, lane closures, and changes in road conditions in construction zones can increase the risk of accidents.
Is Florida an At-Fault or No-Fault Car Accident State?
Florida is one of several states that operate under a no-fault insurance system. Under this system, all vehicle owners are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance as part of their auto insurance policies. Therefore, if you were involved in a crash in Florida, you must turn to your own insurance policy regardless of who caused the accident.
PIP insurance typically covers medical expenses related to the accident, including doctor's visits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and prescription medications. It also provides a portion of lost wages (usually 60%) resulting from the accident. PIP benefits can extend to the insured person, household family members, and certain passengers, such as those without their own PIP coverage.
Florida law sets specific thresholds for individuals to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, seeking additional compensation. To bring a lawsuit in Florida, an injured party must meet one of the following criteria:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death resulting from the accident
In some cases, there may be disputes with your own insurance company regarding PIP benefits or property damage claims. If an insurer acts in "bad faith," meaning they unreasonably deny a legitimate claim, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against your insurer for additional damages.
Wrongful Deaths Caused by Car Accident
According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, Florida drivers were involved in 403,626 automobile accidents in 2018, with 3,135 fatalities and 236,157 injuries. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There were almost 3,000 traffic-related deaths in Florida alone last year.
If your loved one was killed in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim in their name to seek some sense of closure and justice. At Politis & Matovina, we know that monetary compensation can never make up for the loss of your loved one. However, compensation can be an essential tool to ease the burden of a loved one's untimely passing.
Compensation in a wrongful death claim can cover:
- Hospital and other medical expenses
- Funeral and memorial costs
- Lost wages the deceased would have earned
- Lost value of the deceased’s guidance and companionship
To file a wrongful death claim, you must be a family member of the deceased, such as a spouse, child, parent, or a blood relative or adoptive sibling who was dependent on the deceased. It is also important to note that you only have two years in which to file a wrongful death claim. We encourage you to call our office to speak with a Daytona Beach car accident attorney who can review your unique situation and provide a plan moving forward.
What are the Most Common Injuries from Car Accidents?
A car accident can lead to a variety of injuries, some of which will heal in a few days while others will be permanent. No matter what sort of injury you suffered, if it was caused by another driver’s negligence, then you should not be the one who has to pay for its treatment.
Some of the most common car accident injuries are:
- Head and brain injuries: A blow to the head can damage the brain and cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI can be mild, like a concussion, or severe enough to impair your motor functions, speech, vision, and memory.
- Spinal cord injuries: Broken vertebrae, torn ligaments, or other damage to the spinal cord can cause immediate and lifelong injuries. In worst-case scenarios, spinal cord injury will cause paralysis.
- Scarring: Lacerations caused by shattered glass and twisted metal in a car accident can cause noticeable scarring and permanent disfigurement. Compensation can be paid to a car accident claimant who has been permanently disfigured, even if the scars no longer cause physical pain or disability.
- Broken bones: Severe impact accidents like T-bone accidents and rollover accidents are commonly linked to multiple fractures. Feet, legs, and arms are broken the most often in car accidents because these body parts are used to brace for impact.
- Amputations: When the fingers, toes, arms, or legs of a victim are too damaged to be saved, they could be medically amputated. Although prosthetics can help, amputations will still cause permanent disabilities in nearly all cases.
How Do You Know If You Have Whiplash from a Car Accident?
A common yet deceptively severe car accident injury is whiplash. When the neck is rocked back and forth abruptly and violently, the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in the neck and upper back can tear or twist, which is called a whiplash injury when diagnosed.
Whiplash can begin as pain subtle enough to trick people into thinking they are fine. However, hours or days later, whiplash can worsen to the point that the victim is in crippling pain and in need of immediate medical attention, so it is important to always see a doctor soon after a crash.
All car accidents can cause whiplash, but the neck injury is most often seen in rear-end accidents. People in the front car are vulnerable to whiplash due to the way that the impact of the crash will move their vehicle and be absorbed by their bodies.
Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Car Accident Case?
Any lawyer can claim to offer aggressive representation, but at Politis & Matovina, P.A., our attorneys believe that aggression is just part of the personal injury equation. Our auto accident lawyers go a step further to offer personalized attention to the unique needs of you and your case.
While we aggressively negotiate with the insurance company, we are also busy working to ensure that you feel comfortable with your proceedings and understand exactly what is happening. By adding this extra depth of a personal relationship to our representation, we hope to take the fear out of your legal situation and allow you to focus on your physical wellbeing.
Choosing the Best Auto Accident Attorney for Your Case
Every accident case is different. It is crucial to find an auto accident attorney who knows how to handle the unique circumstances of your case.
Here are 3 key factors to consider when searching for an attorney:
- Their experience in car accident law: Have they handled similar cases in the past? Are they knowledgeable about the type of injury you have suffered?
- Law firm history and case results: An attorney may have years of experience, but do they have the results to back it up? Many law firms post their most noteworthy case results online.
- Peer reviews and client testimonials: Some attorneys care more about their own interests than those of their clients. Take care to choose a trusted, ethical attorney who will work in your best interests. Glowing client testimonials and awards/accolades based on peer-review tend to be good indicators.
Finding the best attorney for your case is extremely important. It can make or break your case. Find out if Politis & Matovina, P.A. is the right fit for you.
Get Started Today with a Free Consultation
Contact our office to discuss your specific car accident injury concerns with one of our attorneys. Our staff is fluent in several languages, including Spanish, French, Greek, Russian, and English. We offer our services on a contingent fee basis, meaning that we receive no legal fees unless we are successful in helping you recover compensation for your losses.
Contact Politis & Matovina, P.A. today for more information about your legal options. Initial consultations are always free! Our Daytona Beach car accident lawyers are standing by.
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