Car Accident Lawyer in Ormond Beach, FL

A car accident could alter your life in a matter of seconds. No one expects to be involved in a crash when they get into an automobile. But when a collision happens, you could find yourself dealing with painful injuries, unexpected and costly medical procedures, missed time from work, and emotional trauma that could affect your future. 

If someone else caused a collision in Ormond Beach that left you with injuries, you should seek prompt medical attention and then contact Chiumento Law to understand your legal options. Our Ormond Beach car accident attorneys have seen firsthand the disruption that a car accident can have to the lives of the people involved.  Our attorneys are committed to helping people injured in Ormond Beach car accidents seek full and fair compensation from those who cause harm. 

To learn more about how we can help you, call our Ormond Beach office or reach out to us online for a free consultation. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Some of the most common causes of collisions in Ormond Beach include:

• Distracted driving – When drivers are focused on phone calls, text messages, talking to passengers, or anything other than the task of driving and the road ahead, they are at risk of a distracted driving accident.
• Driving under the influence – Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can impair driving abilities such as judgment, depth perception, recognition of potential traffic hazards, and reaction time.
• Driver fatigue – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the impairing effects of 24 hours without sleep are roughly equivalent to being legally intoxicated.
• Reckless driving – Reckless driving behaviors such as speeding and tailgating reduce the amount of time that drivers have to react to changes in traffic.
• Driver error – Motorists who are inexperienced or forgetful commonly commit avoidable driving errors such as making improper turns or failing to yield to a driver or pedestrian who has the right of way.
• Defective car parts – When critical components such as brakes or airbags fail to function properly, drivers can experience a dangerous loss of control and may crash.
• Poor road conditions – Large potholes, inadequate drainage, or missing road signs can contribute to unsafe roadways or driver confusion.

 Ormond Beach Car Accident Statistics

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) publishes annual crash statistics for each county in the state. Volusia County, which includes the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach metro areas, logged the following statistics during a recent year:

• 9,141 motor vehicle crashes, with a recent three-year average of 9,747 crashes annually
• 137 crash-related fatalities, a nearly nine percent increase over the previous year
• 15 fatal crashes with confirmed drug and alcohol involvement
• 452 motorcycle accidents, which resulted in 37 fatalities
• 177 cyclist accidents, which resulted in six fatalities
• 288 pedestrian accidents, leading to 32 fatalities
• 361 crashes involving drivers under the age of 18

Types Of Damages Awarded in Car Accident Claims

The state of Florida requires automobile owners to have no-fault Personal Injury Protection insurance to pay for the initial medical treatment costs after crashes. You file a claim with your own insurance provider any time you suffer injuries in a crash, regardless of who was at fault for the collision. 

If you have a basic auto insurance plan in Florida, you should have:

• $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which pays for your medical expenses and any medical expenses your passengers incur
• $10,000 in property damage liability insurance, which pays for the costs of crash-related damage to other people’s property

If your crash-related injuries meet the statutory definition of severe injuries, you may be eligible to step outside of Florida’s no-fault system. You may have a right to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and pursue damages for your crash-related losses including:

• Medical expenses that exceed the limits of the Personal Injury Protection insurance policy
• Lost wages and benefits from missed work
• Projected losses in your lifetime earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Lost quality of life
• Incidental costs, such as travel costs for medical appointments

How Much Compensation Can You Win?

The amount of compensation available varies in every case because each accident has different facts. As a rule of thumb, the greater the severity of your injuries and the more insurance available to pay compensation, the more your claim may be worth. It depends on the specific facts of the case.

If the other driver was at fault for the accident, their insurance company may be liable for the full cost of your medical bills and other losses.  But you may still be eligible to seek compensation, even if you were partly at fault. 

Under Florida’s pure comparative fault doctrine, you can still recover damages if you were partially responsible for the crash. However, any compensation you were awarded would be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. It’s crucial to work with a qualified attorney who can shield you from liability and present compelling evidence of the other driver’s negligence.

How to Proceed with a Car Accident Claim in Ormond Beach

In the aftermath of a crash, there are basic steps every crash victim should follow:

• Exchange information with the other driver, and obtain witness contact information
• Call the police, who will produce an accident report documenting the scene and identify the potential cause of the crash.
• Seek medical attention.
• Take photos of the scene including damage to the vehicles, and your injuries.

Once you are medically stable after an accident, you should report the accident to your insurance company or have someone else do so, if you are unable. Most insurance providers require policyholders to report accidents within a certain number of days. If you fail to report a crash promptly, your provider could deny subsequent claims.

Be cautious with your statements if you contact the insurance company. Avoid apologizing for the accident or making any statements that could imply you were at fault. If a representative asks you to clarify anything about the crash, keep your statements brief and truthful. When in doubt, it’s best to simply have a trusted car accident attorney handle all third-party communication on your behalf.

Contact Our Ormond Beach Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you need the assistance of an experienced car accident lawyer in Ormond Beach, turn to the car accident attorneys at Chiumento Law. Contact our legal team today for step-by-step guidance on your case. Call us at (386) 445-8900 or fill out our online contact form to get started with your free initial case review.