Daytona Beach Car Accident Attorney
Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable for Car Accidents in Florida
At Politis & Matovina, P.A., our Daytona Beach car accident lawyers 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, you are not alone in this struggle. You might be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. 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 most significant victories coming from car accident cases like yours.
Have you been injured in a car accident caused by someone else's negligence? Our Daytona Beach car accident attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call Politis & Matovina, P.A. today at (386) 333-6613 or contact us online to discuss your case!
Comprehensive Legal Support for Your Car Accident Case
When you are trying to recover from serious injuries, it can be nearly impossible to address the many aspects of your case alone. To help you focus on your recovery, our staff will take care of every step in the legal process. Better yet, we will strive always to keep you informed whenever there is an important step or decision, so you won’t have to worry about being left in the dark.
With a team that has honed their skills over many years, we prioritize crafting strong legal strategies tailored to each client's unique situation. Our dedication is reflected in the results we achieve, providing legal victories and the peace of mind our clients need during challenging times.
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 a court trial if a settlement proves impossible or against your best interests
This approach and our refusal to back down when faced with bullying insurance company tactics have 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 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.
Common Types of Car Accidents
A car accident, or a traffic 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 have many consequences, including property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. They can happen for various reasons and in various circumstances.
Understanding the nature of car accidents can guide preventative measures and influence the legal complexities when accidents occur.
Here are some common types of car accidents:
- Rear-End Collision: This occurs when one vehicle strikes the vehicle in front of it. Tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops often cause rear-end collisions.
- 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 onto its roof or side. This accident can be caused by high speed, sharp turns, or a vehicle’s design.
- Single-Vehicle Accident: These accidents involve only one vehicle and may result from 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 a 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 various 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 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 cannot 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.
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 injury you suffered, if another driver’s negligence caused it, 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 often broken 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.
Rehabilitation for these injuries can be extensive, requiring long-term therapy and potentially leading to lifestyle changes. Understanding the full scope of these injuries can help victims and their families prepare for the steps ahead.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Daytona Beach
If you're involved in a car accident in Daytona Beach, following specific steps to ensure your safety, comply with the law, and protect your legal rights is crucial. 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 unsafe 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, crucial for any insurance claims or potential lawsuits. If the police don’t come to the scene, you can file a report 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 witnesses, as their statements could be helpful later on.
Providing accurate and comprehensive information to your insurer or legal representative can significantly influence the outcome of compensation claims, ensuring a more seamless process in the long run.
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. Ensure to capture all angles to provide a complete picture of what occurred.
Taking time to document thoroughly can shield you from potential disputes over the facts of the accident, thus streamlining the legal process for faster resolution.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, seeking medical attention immediately after an accident is essential. 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.
Immediate medical diagnosis prioritizes your health and creates essential medical records crucial for any compensation claims or legal actions.
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.
Communicating effectively with your insurer can significantly affect the speed and success of your claims process, ensuring you reap the benefits your policy affords.
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.
Comprehensive record-keeping can highlight the full extent of your losses and injuries, providing a more substantial basis for any negotiations or legal proceedings.
8. Consult an Auto 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 auto 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.
An attorney can help demystify the often complex legal landscape, offering strategic advice to maximize compensation and achieve a fair negotiation outcome.
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 accident date to file a lawsuit for damages.
Understanding your options between claims and lawsuits ensures you can effectively pursue the most suitable avenue for recovering your losses.
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 must 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 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 sure passengers, such as those without 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, disputes with your insurance company regarding PIP benefits or property damage claims may occur. 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 Accidents
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.
Consulting with legal professionals experienced in wrongful death claims can provide clarity and guidance, ensuring the painful litigation process is handled carefully.
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 needs immediate medical attention, so it is important to always see a doctor soon after a crash.
All car accidents can cause whiplash, but 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.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment for whiplash can involve chiropractic care, physical therapy, and even psychological support to manage the trauma associated with motor vehicle accidents.
Driving in Daytona Beach: Unique Considerations
Daytona Beach, known for its world-famous beaches and motorsports events, presents unique challenges for drivers. With bustling tourism seasons, particularly during events like Daytona Bike Week and the Daytona 500, traffic congestion is a common issue. These events attract thousands of visitors, leading to increased risks of accidents and heightened presence of law enforcement to manage safety and traffic flow. Awareness of current traffic conditions and planning alternate routes can help avoid potential hazards during peak times.
Furthermore, drivers can better navigate high-risk areas by understanding the layout of local roads and typical traffic patterns, such as the intersections of International Speedway Boulevard and A1A. Local drivers often adapt their schedules to avoid rush hour traffic in these zones. Numerous pedestrian crossings near popular attractions add another layer to road safety precautions. Staying informed about local road conditions, especially after adverse weather conditions, can be crucial in accident prevention and is essential for residents and tourists navigating Daytona Beach's roads.
Why Do I Need an Auto Accident Attorney for My 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 your unique needs and your case.
While we aggressively negotiate with the insurance company, we are also working to ensure that you feel comfortable with your proceedings and understand precisely what is happening. By adding this extra depth of a personal relationship to our representation, we hope to remove the fear from your legal situation and allow you to focus on your physical well-being.
Choosing the proper legal assistance can significantly impact the outcome of your claim, affecting both the financial recovery and your comfort during the entire process.
Choosing the Best Auto Accident Attorney in Daytona Beach
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 three 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 interests than their clients. Choose a trusted, ethical attorney who will work in your best interests. Glowing client testimonials and awards/accolades based on peer review are good indicators.
Finding the best attorney for your case is significant. It can make or break your case. Find out if Politis & Matovina, P.A. is the right fit for you.
The resources a firm offers, including investigators, legal aids, and connections in the local legal community, can also affect your outcome, making it essential to evaluate your options thoroughly.
Contact Our Daytona Beach Car Accident Attorneys Today
Contact our office to discuss your car accident injury concerns with one of our attorneys. Our staff is fluent in several languages, including Spanish, 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.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Florida, don’t face the legal complexities alone. Contact our Daytona Beach car accident attorneys for the legal support you need!
Related Pages:
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Daytona Beach
What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, avoid admitting fault at the scene, as this can significantly impact legal outcomes and insurance claims. Refrain from providing recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting an attorney. Another mistake is not seeking medical attention immediately, which may undermine your claims by suggesting injuries are not severe. Keep thorough records of all accident-related expenses and interactions, and do not sign any settlements without legal consultation to ensure you are not shortchanged. Always follow through with physician-recommended treatments to reinforce the legitimacy of your injury claims.
How Do I Ensure the Best Outcome for My Car Accident Claim?
To ensure the best outcome for your car accident claim, meticulously document everything related to the incident. This includes gathering witness statements, police reports, and extensive medical documentation of injuries. Adhere strictly to deadlines for filings and notifications to avoid technical dismissals. Working with a local, experienced auto accident lawyer can also enhance your claim by providing expert guidance tailored to Florida's legal requirements. Maintain open communication with your lawyer and provide any additional evidence promptly to keep your claim process smooth and efficient.
Our Victories Speak for Themselves
We've Recovered Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Our Clients
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$6,500,000 Wrongful Death
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$5,500,000 WD/Semitruck, Garbage Truck
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$4,000,000 Car Accident
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$3,500,000 Severe head on collision
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$2,850,000 Motorcycle Accident
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$2,625,000 Motorcycle Accident