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According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMC), from January 1 to November 24, 2022, there were 340,747 car accidents. These crashes resulted in 140,270 injuries. Car accident victims face long recoveries and daunting medical and rehabilitation expenses. Their injuries may preclude them from working for a prolonged period or possibly ever returning to their former jobs. However, you may file a personal injury lawsuit if another party caused the accident via negligence or recklessness.
As the largest city in Brevard County, Palm Bay drivers share the roads with many other motorists. There is also U.S. 1, I-95, and other major highways with which to contend. The more traffic congestion in an area, the more likely car accidents will occur. In 2021, there were more than 4,000 car crashes in Brevard County. If this has happened to you, contact a car accident lawyer in Palm Bay at Kogan & DiSalvo. Our team can investigate your case thoroughly and fight for you to receive the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Florida is a no-fault state for auto accidents and is designed to reduce personal injury lawsuits. It makes no difference under no-fault which party was responsible for the crash. All motorists must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage which pays their medical bills and a certain percentage of lost income.
However, no-fault does not apply when a car accident victim suffers severe injuries, and their medical bills exceed their PIP coverage. Under these circumstances, the victim may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The following types of injuries qualify as severe:
Many car accidents result from the negligence of the other driver. The top causes of car accidents include:
The types of car accidents most likely to result in serious injury or fatalities include:
Common serious car accident injuries include:
Many of these injuries result in permanent or long-term disability. The victim may no longer have the ability to care for themselves. In addition, they may require numerous surgeries and rehabilitation.
After a motor vehicle accident in Palm Bay, FL, knowing what to do—and what not to do—can significantly impact the outcome of your car accident case. Here are some essential do’s and don’ts to guide you through this stressful time.
The list above should help protect your rights and strengthen your car accident case. Palm Bay car accident lawyers from Kogan & DiSalvo are here to guide you through the process, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’re involved in a car crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Palm Bay, FL, it’s crucial to know your options and take the right steps to protect your interests. Unfortunately, Florida has a high percentage of uninsured drivers, and this can complicate car accident cases.
First, you should report the accident to your insurance company immediately. Even though Florida’s no-fault insurance system means your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage will handle your initial medical expenses, these benefits may not be enough if your injuries are severe. If your costs exceed your PIP limits, having uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes essential. This coverage can help bridge the gap and compensate for damages that exceed what your PIP covers.
Additionally, consulting with a Palm Bay traffic accident lawyer is highly recommended. An experienced attorney can navigate the complexities of personal injury cases involving uninsured drivers. They can assist in negotiating with your insurance company to maximize your compensation and explore other avenues for recovery. For instance, your lawyer might investigate whether a third party, such as the at-fault driver’s employer or a municipality, could be held liable for the accident.
If the uninsured driver lacks the financial means to cover a judgment, your lawyer can also assess the viability of pursuing additional compensation through other legal avenues. Taking these steps ensures that you’re not left bearing the financial burden after a car accident.
Florida operates under a pure comparative negligence rule. That means you could still receive compensation even if you were partly at fault. However, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault awarded by the jury. In many states, a person considered more than 50 percent responsible cannot receive compensation. That is not the case under “pure” comparative negligence.
For instance, if you are deemed 20 percent at fault for the crash, a $100,000 award is reduced by $20,000 to $80,000.
Potential compensation, or damages, in a Florida car accident lawsuit contain economic and non-economic elements. The former may include:
Determining economic damages is relatively straightforward. Non-economic damages are more complex because they are more subjective and may include the following:
When recovering from a serious injury, you do not want to negotiate with an insurance company–their business model is based on settling car accident claims as quickly and cheaply as possible. Unfortunately, what sounds like a substantial settlement to the uninitiated often is not fair at all—the amount, for example, may not cover future medical expenses.
It’s best to trust the negotiations with an accident attorney in Palm Bay. They know a reasonable settlement value for your circumstances.
In a personal injury case, you must meet a burden of proof. First, you must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care. In a car accident case, that is easy to prove–all drivers owe everyone else on the road the duty to drive safely. Next, you must show that the defendant breached that duty by their negligence. Your claim must establish that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries. Finally, you must then show actual harm done to you so that you may receive damages such as payment for medical expenses and lost wages.
Florida’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is much longer than in most states. Generally, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is two years. However, it is vital to seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid the loss of valuable evidence.
At Kogan & DiSalvo, our personal injury attorneys would immediately start investigating your case. For instance, if you suspect the driver responsible for the crash was texting, an attorney can obtain cell phone records and interview any eyewitnesses. Surveillance video provides a great deal of information, but traffic cameras and video from nearby homes or businesses are usually available for 30 days or less before it is taped over. That is why time is of the essence when it comes to proving fault in a Palm Bay car accident case.
Determining which parties are responsible for an accident is not always clear-cut. Besides any other drivers involved, the investigation may show that a vehicle malfunction contributed to the crash. Under such circumstances, the manufacturer or a repair facility may hold some liability. Perhaps poor road maintenance or traffic signal malfunctions played a role, and the city of Palm Bay may bear responsibility. It is not unusual for a car accident case to include multiple defendants.
We may work with accident reconstruction specialists to explain how the collision occurred. Medical experts may testify about the extent of your injuries and prognosis. Financial professionals can provide expertise regarding the long-term expenses expected due to the accident. Finally, vocational experts may testify about your ability to return to your former level of employment or whether you can hold a job in the future.
If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a car accident due to another party’s negligence, you need the services of an experienced Palm Bay personal injury attorney at Kogan & DiSalvo. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We serve Brevard County and all of South Florida. Because we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless you receive compensation.
Total reviews: 1119 |
Average rating: 4.9
Janhoi Phillips
Samantha Roza
Jay is a wonderful Attorney. Always answered my questions and went above and beyond. I would always recommend Kogan and DiSalvo to anyone in the future
Maureen Weir
My experience overall was great 👍 have a problem call Kogan & Disalvo period
Rodney Moore
The team here are so kind, caring, and patient with you. This is how attorneys and their team should be!
P Fontenay
I am so so grateful for the team at this office. They made things go smoothly and saved me a lot of headache dealing with the insurance and bills that came with my injury. I was really surprised with the amount of money I received. I highly recommend Kogan and DiSalvo to anyone who needs a PI lawyer. Thank you very much for helping me
Major Disrespectful
The team here are so kind, caring, and patient with you. This is how attorneys and their team should be!
kisha thompson
Kogan & Disalvo, the BEST lawyers and team in town!!
Jennifer Bernier
If you trust Kogan and DiSalvo Personal Injury Lawyers for your case, you can be very confident in knowing they got your back! Their professionalism and commitment to your case is second to none!
Deborah Quevedo
Very polite and professional.
Jenny Schmied-Zyontz
Amanda and the rest of the team at Kogan and Disalvo are incredibly compassionate and they’re able to listen to what you truly need and are able to get results I couldn’t ask for a better Law Firm to represent me and my personal matter and recommend anybody else who needs someone for personal injury attorneys to definitely give them a call they are incredibly client focused and very driven to get results I couldn’t ask for a better experience
Dorothy Coxson
Wonderful people!! For sure will recommend to all my friends and family. Thank you!
Shamyra Bailey
Honest, dedicated, and go above and beyond for their clients.
Christina Lowe
It is such a relief to have injury lawyers like these here in West Palm Beach.I always know who I can rely on if I am ever injured.
Kevin Smith
Amazing attorney very responsive and friendly
Luis Vidal
I would highly recommend Kogan & DiSalvo they were absolutely terrific from my first contact all the way to my settlement check their staff were there all the way. Luis V.
Antonetta Capofarri
The best decision I made was contacting kogan and the DiSalvo after my car accident I was blessed to have Todd Baker work on my case as for he was not only a lawyer representing me in tough times but he was extremely caring about me my personal life my children my health and not only did he go above and beyond by doing a video mediation while I was at the hospital but also actually drove to my home so that I was available on an important phone call when he couldnt reach me. I also had the pleasure working with Debora Tejada she was amazing updating me every step of the way.
There work together won me the maximum amount for my case. I was blessed to have met these people and have them work on my case. Thank you Todd Baker and Debora Tejada for everything.
Rock Nroll
Hello everyone that may be interested or thinking about getting representation by a lawyer. This group of lawyers and staff will go out of their way to make sure you have a stress free experience from the first day to the last.
Accidents can be stressful and your in pain and you don’t know what to do or even how to go about doing it . They will one focus first and foremost on getting you medical help to get you out of the pain your in . They will check in with doctors and call you personally to see how you are and how your feeling. They are good people here . This company really do give you this family old school feel. I certainly appreciate all the help and keeping me stress free and anxiety free during this whole process.
Just a note every single person from lawyers to office staff are fantastic.
Thank you to everyone shout out to you Jay for your help from start to finish .
Malik Hylton
Outstanding Legal Representation – Highly Recommend Kogan & DiSalvo!
I cannot say enough great things about Kogan & DiSalvo Personal Injury Lawyers! From the very beginning, their team was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. They guided me through every step of my case, always keeping me informed and making me feel confident that I was in the best hands.
Their attention to detail and dedication to their clients are truly unmatched. They fought tirelessly to ensure I received the compensation I deserved, and the outcome exceeded my expectations. What sets them apart is their genuine care for their clients—they treat you like family, not just another case.
If you’re looking for a personal injury law firm that is skilled, trustworthy, and committed to getting results, I highly recommend Kogan & DiSalvo. They are simply the best!
A. Christine
I had the pleasure of being able to follow my attorney Paul S., over from his prior firm. Which was the Best decision made considering Paul was very hands on and empathetic to the complications this whole ordeal has accident has caused. Completely changed my quality of life/families lives too!!
Paul always made me up to date, informed when available, and less alone through the entire process by simply showing compassion and empathy especially in my family’s time of need by listening and being a call away!
I am forever grateful and will never use any other firm than Kogan & DiSalvo. Especially without my favorite attorney by my side!
Thanks a million FAm, especially you Paul S
A. Shipley
Tampa Florida 33510
Thomas Clark
They always take your call. They are very friendly and caring. They do their best to keep you updated throughout the entire process. Thank you
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