West Palm Beach Intersection Accident Lawyer
Steps to Follow After a West Palm Beach Intersection Collision
Intersection collisions occur in high-traffic areas. The most important thing to do following a West Palm Beach intersection collision is to secure the scene. This means moving your vehicle, if it is safe to do so, out of the intersection. Clearing the scene will help prevent a multi-vehicle car collision which could cause further injuries.
Once you and the other driver have moved to a safe location, such as the curb or a median, follow these important steps:
- Contact the police. West Palm Beach requires that the police be called for car accidents with over $500 in property damage.
- Cooperate with the police but do not admit fault. Admitting fault now can ruin your claim later. Even a simple “I’m sorry” or admission of partial fault can make it seem like you’re liable for the accident.
- Take photos. Document everything: the damage, the intersection, the weather.
- Exchange information with the other driver. It’s important to have the name, license number, and insurance company of the other driver for your claim later.
- Get an examination from a medical professional, even if you don’t feel injured. You won’t know that you have no injuries until a doctor officially clears you.
- Call a West Palm Beach intersection accident lawyer who can help you win maximum compensation.
Contact a West Palm Beach Intersection Collision Lawyer Today
Call a West Palm Beach auto accident lawyer to determine the value of your case. We only take cases that we’re certain we can win for our clients. This allows us to keep our caseloads small. Our clients are our first priority, so we want to provide your case with the care it deserves.
Find out how we can support you throughout your car accident claim, from investigating fault to winning you maximum compensation.
Are intersection accidents common in West Palm Beach?
It depends. Some intersections have a higher risk of intersection accidents than others. These are especially volatile during rush hour due to the high volume of cars traveling in different directions.
Be wary of the following intersections when driving through West Palm Beach:
- N Military Trl & Okeechobee Blvd
- Okeechobee Blvd & N Haverhill Rd
- Southern Blvd & N State Road 7/S State Road 7
- Okeechobee Blvd & SB95 Okeechobee EB
- N Jog Rd & Okeechobee Blvd
If you are driving through these intersections, watch for other drivers who may be behaving recklessly. Remember to drive at a safe speed, obey traffic signals, and check for hazards regularly.
All of the staff were professional, knowledgeable and resourceful. They provided the best service.
I was involved in a rear end collision in which I sustained injuries to my neck and lower back. The initial attorney dropped the ball in filing timely which voided the case. Thanks to this firm, the case was reinstated and I received the compensation due.
Determining Fault In an Intersection Accident
The majority of intersection accidents occur due to driver error. These individuals drive recklessly, negligently, or maliciously, causing accidents. You can prove someone else is at fault for an intersection accident if they have done any of the following:
- Speeding in the intersection
- Ignoring yellow lights
- Driving while texting, eating, or talking on the phone
- Driving with impaired
- Driving drowsy
- Impatiently driving
In other cases, neither driver may be at fault. These cases include:
- Traffic lights malfunction
- Vehicle malfunctions
- Road debris
- Loose gravel that makes a car lose traction
- Poor road conditions/bad weather
Damages to Include in an Intersection Accident Lawsuit
In an intersection accident lawsuit, your West Palm Beach intersection accident lawyer will pursue three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages are related to financial costs that you incurred as a result of the accident. These include:
- Medical bills
- Mechanics
- Rental cars
- Lost wages
Non-economic damages relate to the emotional trauma of the intersection accident. They are generally more financially valuable than economic damages, as they have longer consequences. These include:
- Disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
Punitive damages only apply if the liable party was criminally negligent. For example, if they were drunk driving, and they caused the accident. Punitive damages relate to the severity of the liable party’s wrongdoing. It is not related to the victim’s trauma.
Common Causes of Intersection Collisions
Intersection collisions can be caused by a variety of factors. These accidents are location-specific, which means that any type of collision can occur. You may be involved in a West Palm Beach T-bone car accident or a rear-end collision in this high trafficked location.
Certain types of car accidents at intersections are commonly connected with certain negligent driving practices, such as:
- Rear-end collisions are commonly caused by distracted drivers on their phone who accidentally run a red light or fail to stop
- Side-impact or T-bone collisions are the result of illegal turns due to reckless drivers
- Pedestrian accidents typically occur for drivers on phones who fail to stop
- Impaired drivers are more likely to swerve between lanes, causing head-on collisions
- Tired drivers have a slower reaction time, which may result in a rear-end collision if they do not notice a light change quickly enough
Statute of Limitations for Florida
Florida has a four-year statute of limitations for car accident claims. This means that you have four years from the day that the accident occurs to file your legal claim for damages in West Palm Beach.
Many victims assume that they can file their claim tomorrow, inevitably putting it off until it’s too late.
Don’t leave money on the table, forcing you to pay for medical costs that aren’t your fault. Hire a West Palm Beach intersection accident lawyer to help keep you on track. They will ensure your claim is filed on time and help you develop a plan for success.
Common Injuries from Intersection Accidents
Individuals on bicycles or pedestrians are at high risk of personal injury in a West Palm Beach intersection accident. Those in vehicles have more protection, but more intersection accidents involve vehicles.
It is important to be alert in intersections. Being involved in an auto accident in an intersection can result in the following common injuries:
- Head or traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal injury
- Spinal injury
- Paralysis
- Fatality
Get in touch
Call us or fill out one of our web forms to speak with a West Palm Beach auto accident lawyer to get help filing your claim to get the money you’re owed.
515 N Flagler Dr, Suite 1150
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 621-4200