Whether you have been in a vehicle accident with another car, a huge commercial truck, or a motorcycle, when you have suffered a severe injury, you are probably incredibly frustrated. Not only are you miserable due to your pain, but you are stressed out over the accumulation of medical expenses. In addition, you are worried about how you will ever make up the money you have lost because you cannot work.
The Miami car accident lawyers 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 a personal injury attorney may be of assistance, call for a free evaluation of your case.
Types of Car Accidents
Just about any kind of car accident can result in not only extensive property damage, but also debilitating injuries. An attorney in Miami understands the different types of car crashes and how it affects a claim. 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, but it also puts others at risk of serious injuries.
Causes of Car Accidents
In addition to distracted driving, motorists will cause car wrecks 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 will try to pass in an incredibly dangerous manner just because they are 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 Car Collisions
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 Crash
The most important thing to do if you are in a car accident in Miami is to seek medical help immediately by calling 9-1-1. Do this even if you think you are fine. The reason is that there are some injuries that do not 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 are 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 have 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 car crash attorney in Miami 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 are going to recover your lost wages, you will 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 have received. These could be very important in proving the future earnings you may lose if you are permanently hurt.
Medical Records
You will 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 will 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 have been hurt, the more expensive your treatment will be – and the longer you will be out of work. Your car collision attorney in Miami will demand more money on your behalf as a result.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
Damages are the financial losses you have incurred due to the accident, such as the aforementioned medical bills and lost wages. You are taking legal action in order to recover those and other damages.
But there are other kinds of damages that are not tangible, and are more difficult to prove. For example, you have 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 are going to need legal help. The professionals with Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh are ready to provide it. Contact a Miami car accident lawyer for a free consultation.