Whether you’ve been in a vehicle accident with another car, a huge commercial truck or a motorcycle, if you’ve suffered a severe injury you’re probably incredibly frustrated. Not only are you miserable due to your pain, you’re stressed out over the accumulation of medical expenses. In addition, you’re worried about how you’ll ever make up the money you’ve lost because you can’t work.
The Miami car accident attorneys with Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh could help take that stress away, and work to help you obtain full and fair compensation. If you would like to learn more about how we may be of assistance, please use our online form or give us a call at (561) 295-5825 for a free evaluation of your case.
Types of Car Accidents in Miami
Just about any kind of car accident can result in not only extensive property damage, but also debilitating injuries. The following is a quick look at some of the kinds of collisions that happen on a regular basis.
- Rear-end. Drivers get distracted by their phones far too often. They simply can’t go even a few minutes without checking their texts, or talking to a friend. When they do this, and lose focus on the road, they can easily slam into the back of another vehicle that has stopped unexpectedly.
- T-bone. When the front of one car slams into the side of another, the two vehicles form a “T” shape. Some people are in such a hurry they don’t care about red lights and stop signs. When they run through an intersection, they can broadside another car, resulting in devastation.
- Rollovers. Higher-profile vehicles, such as SUVs, are more prone to this type of accident. They will often occur when a driver is speeding and tries to take a sharp curve. Not only does this put that driver in serious danger, it also puts others at risk of serious injuries.
Causes of Miami Car Accidents
In addition to distracted driving, motorists will cause car accidents in Miami for several other reasons as well. They may, for example, choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Or, they will drive much too fast, and not be able to react to a sudden stop in traffic. There are some drivers who simply choose to drive recklessly, with absolutely no regard for others sharing the road with them. They’ll try to pass in an incredibly dangerous manner just because they’re having a bad day.
But there are other instances where an accident can take place due to circumstances that are out of a driver’s control. One of the most common is road debris. It could be an object that falls from a truck or other type of vehicle, or a piece of a tire that blew out. Drivers will instinctively try to avoid the debris and hit other cars as a result.
Injuries Associated with Miami Car Accidents
Of course, there are several types of catastrophic injuries that can result from an automobile wreck. These include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken and fractured bones
- Severe neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- And several others
Steps to Take After Your Car Accident
The most important thing to do if you’re in a car accident in Miami is to seek medical help immediately by calling 9-1-1. Do this even if you think you’re OK. The reason is that there are some injuries that don’t exhibit symptoms for hours, or even days. If you delay seeing a doctor, that injury will very likely be much worse than it would have been if you had received treatment.
If you’re able to do so – and can do it safely – try to take photos and videos of the accident scene. Get pictures of the damage that has occurred to all vehicles involved in the wreck, and also take photos of the road itself. If there are fresh skid marks, for example, that could be critically important to your case. They could show that the at-fault driver was speeding at the time of the accident, and tried to slam on the brakes.
Once you’ve received medical attention, your next step should be to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible so an investigation can begin.
Types of Evidence Used to Prove Fault
This investigation is going to be critical to your chances of obtaining maximum compensation. Your attorney will work to gather the evidence needed to determine all liable parties to help you get every penny you deserve. Examples include:
- Pay stubs. If you’re going to recover your lost wages, you’ll have to show how much you were making when the accident took place. Your pay stubs will provide that proof. Other work records can show past bonuses and pay raises you’ve received. These could be very important in proving the future earnings you may lose if you’re permanently hurt.
- Medical records. You’ll also need to prove your medical expenses, so keep every receipt associated with your treatment.
- Expert witnesses. Even though the vast majority of auto accident cases are settled, out of court, there are some instances where they will have to go to trial. If this happens in your case, your attorney may call in expert witnesses to make your claim even stronger. An accident reconstruction expert, for example, can clearly show that you weren’t responsible for causing the wreck.
Factors that Determine Your Case’s Value
No attorney will promise you that you’ll receive a certain amount of money without first having all the facts. Once that happens, though, your legal representative will be able to give you a good idea of what you deserve.
One of the most important ones is the severity of your injury. The worse you’ve been hurt, the more expensive your treatment will be – and the longer you’ll be out of work. Your attorney will demand more money on your behalf as a result.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
Damages are the financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident, such as the aforementioned medical bills and lost wages. You’re taking legal action in order to recover those and other damages.
But there are other kinds of damages that aren’t tangible, and are more difficult to prove. For example, you’ve likely suffered a great deal of emotional and mental trauma. You may be depressed because you can no longer enjoy the activities you love. You may be able to obtain compensation for these so-called “non-economic” damages as well.
Do I Need to Hire a Miami Car Accident Attorney? Yes! Contact KMW Today.
Without a doubt, you’re going to need legal help. The professionals with Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh are ready to provide it. Contact us online or call (561) 295-5825 for a free consultation.