Car accidents can have a wide range of damages and be very costly for victims who may have to suffer through expensive medical treatments and medications, surgeries, therapies, property damages, and more. When you are a victim of a car accident in Florida, you should not have to bear the financial burden alone. Filing a successful personal injury claim can help you get the compensation you need to help you pay for all of these damages.

The process of filing a personal injury claim and managing one from start to finish can be time and work-intensive, stressful, and challenging. If you are also trying to recover from your injuries, the added pressure of managing a civil suit can make it much harder to get better. An attorney can take on the legal battle of fighting for your compensation and looking out for your best interests so you can focus on your health and wellness.

The car accident attorneys at Sheftall Law can help you with a personal injury claim if you have been injured in a car crash in the Jacksonville area. You only have four years from the date of your accident to file your claim and time can go by quickly. Waiting too long diminishes the strength of evidence, not to mention, there may be several hurdles that happen after you file which can prolong the process. For these reasons and more, connecting with an attorney as soon after your accident is critical to the success of your claim and your recovery.

Factors that Can Prove Fault Afer a Crash in Florida

In Florida, after a car accident happens, a victim will use their own insurance coverage to file a claim. This is due to Florida’s no-fault system. Sometimes, though, crashes can produce catastrophic outcomes and if this happens it may be possible to file a claim against the driver that was liable for the accident taking place.

There are many forms of evidence that can be used to show that one party was completely responsible for a crash or mostly at fault for it. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Pictures of the accident scene.
• Video footage that witnesses or surveillance cameras may have caught.
• Witness statements and testimony.
• Police reports. 
• The extent of damage that one car suffers and where it is located versus the other car.

How Can Damage Affect Liability

Damage can be a factor in determining fault after a crash but it is not the only aspect of examining an accident scene that is used. There are several factors that arise when dissecting an accident scene that all play a part in figuring out how an accident took place and who may be responsible for it happening.

When an accident reconstruction happens, investigators can utilize all information and data that exists about the accident and use a computer simulation to get a better idea of what took place. Also, it is not just the actual damage that a car sustained that can tell who was responsible, but the location of the accident also is a major factor. 

For example, intersections tend to be locations where more accidents can take place. This is because the many moving parts of pedestrians biking about, crossing streets, cars driving straight, and turning can all easily lead to a crash. If one car in an accident has substantial damage but it can be shown that it was running a red light at the time of the crash, then the amount of damage may not be helpful to the driver’s case.

Also, the way that a modern car is going to take impact is much different than older models. The number of highly specialized safety features incorporated into the technology and design of modern cars may allow them to show much more damage than an older car.

Looking at all aspects of a car accident and scrutinizing each detail is critical to coming to a conclusion of what happened and who’s insurance should have to pay the costs of the damages. The Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at Sheftall Law can have your accident reconstructed and will use supplemental evidence to fill in the blanks and pin down who is responsible for causing it.

The entirety of the destruction to a car can play a part in figuring out liability. Even small scraps or dents that are around much larger areas of the wreckage can also be indicative of the sequence of events that took place before, during, and after a crash. 

It is also possible that a car did not just collide with another vehicle but also sustained damages if it spun out after being hit and crashed into another object. Whether it be a building, curb, highway divider, or light pole, these objects too can also damage the body of a vehicle.

Supplemental Evidence After a Crash in Florida

The extent of damages can play some part in the determination of fault, but what it can not do is provide all of the answers. There are several factors that must be accounted for when it comes to assigning liability after a car accident. And, even if one car does have considerable physical damage, this is not a clear indication of fault. 

This is why it is so crucial that ample evidence be gathered and documented. If you are in a crash, and you have the ability to navigate the scene to do things like taking pictures, for instance, you should. The more evidence you have the more articulate and apparent your injury claim can be. A robust personal injury claim with many forms of evidence can increase the likelihood of success and victims obtaining maximum recovery.

Speak to a Jacksonville Personal Injury Attorney Today

Any car accident has the potential to inflict severe harm on those involved. Getting the most from your personal injury claim is necessary. When you work with the Jacksonville car accident lawyers at Sheftall Law, you will have experienced, dedicated, and caring legal counsel on your side fighting to get the most compensation possible. Please call Sheftall Law today to schedule a free consultation at 904-647-2296.