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(561) 295-5825Fort Pierce is a city located in St. Lucie County, Florida. The city sits along the Atlantic coast of Florida and is home to 47,927 people as of 2021. Fort Pierce is a very calm, relaxing city that’s growing more and more every year. It’s mostly residential, with a small downtown area and access to some nice beaches.
While we wish all small towns could stay safe and not have to deal with the tragedy of a car accident, that simply isn’t possible. In small towns and cities, drivers often get comfortable with the roads. That comfort can lead to carelessness. People may think it’s okay to text and drive or drive home from a bar after a few drinks because they know the roads so well.
Even if someone has traveled on the same road one thousand times, that doesn’t mean it’s all of a sudden safe for them to drive negligently. Unfortunately, some people believe that to be true and, in turn, put others at risk with their behaviors.
If you were involved in a car accident in Fort Pierce, Florida, we’re here to help you.
Car accidents occur when one driver acts with negligence. This means that they do something that puts other people at risk. It’s usually done without thinking about the risk or consequences. Some may believe they’re “good” at texting while driving. Every time they do it, they’re putting someone else (and themselves) at risk.
It’s impossible to predict when these negligent actions will harm others. People who partake in distracted driving or other negligent behaviors don’t do so thinking, “I’m going to hurt someone.” There’s no intention behind their behavior. But it’s still their fault.
Common negligent acts that cause car accidents include:
Distracted driving, such as texting, talking on the phone, choosing music, talking to someone in the backseat, eating, or applying makeup
Speeding
Road rage
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Not checking one’s blind spots before changing lanes
Fatigued driving
Driving while sick
Running a red light or stop sign
Some accidents may be caused by “gross negligence.” This means that the party was acting in a way that hugely departs from the traditional standard of care. For example, drinking while intoxicated or aggressive driving could be considered gross negligence.
Car accident injuries can range from minor to severe. Some injuries may heal in a few weeks with no lasting symptoms, while others may be lifelong. Car accidents can cause the following types of injuries:
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones
Fractures
Burns
Amputation
Soft tissue injuries
Internal bleeding or damage
Facial injuries
Wrongful death
In cases where a loved one passes away because of a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.
Most often, car accidents are caused by other drivers, and therefore they’ll be the liable party. In rare circumstances, the liable party could be a third party. For example, a mechanic or manufacturer in the case of a defective part or mechanical malfunction. To prove that that party was liable, the following process still applies.
To prove car accident liability, you’ll need to be able to prove that:
The driver (or another party) owed you a certain duty of care. When a driver gets behind the wheel, they owe other drivers that duty. The duty to drive safely and not put anyone in direct danger.
The liable party breached that duty by acting negligently. For example, they put others in harm’s way by texting or driving while overly tired.
Because of that breach, you suffered from injuries. You must be able to directly connect their breach to your injury. Medical records and photographs from the scene of the accident can help with this.
And as a result of your injuries, you’ve incurred damages.
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that you can collect some compensation from your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Unfortunately, PIP only covers $10,000 in damages. You can sue the at-fault party to cover any additional damages you’ve incurred. Your health insurance can also help to pay some of these bills in the meantime.
Ultimately, you’ll use your settlement award to pay the bills you’ve racked up. We have connections with local hospitals and treatment centers, so we can help you get set up to pay these after your settlement comes in. We can also work with them to put a hold on your bills while we negotiate your settlement.
The damages that you incur because of your injury can be paid out in the form of compensation. Compensation can come in the form of a settlement offer or trial win. Your damages are used to determine just how much compensation you should receive.
There are two different types of compensation, economic and non-economic. Economic damages have an attached monetary value, and non-economic damages do not.
Economic damages cover:
Doctors visits
Specialists visits
Ambulance rides
Hospital stays
Surgery costs
Medical equipment
Physical therapy
Future medical treatment
Past and future lost wages
Non-economic damage cover:
Loss of earning capacity
Loss of consortium
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurement and scarring
KMW is the right option for your Fort Pierce car accident case. We have local connections to law enforcement, hospitals and treatment centers, and potential expert witnesses. We also have years of experience working with car accident cases and a track record of success winning high settlements for our clients.
If we take on your case, we’re confident that we can win. So confident that you won’t pay a dime if we lose. To learn more about our process, experience, and past case results, contact us. You can fill out our online contact form or call us at (561) 295-5825.