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Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A.

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Category: Car Accidents

Who Is Your Opponent in a Car Accident Case?

Most car accidents are caused by another driver’s negligence, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, or driving and texting. If you are injured in a car accident, you will more than likely need to pursue a claim against the other driver, even though Florida is a “no-fault” state. Understandably, many accident victims are reluctant to take this step. In other cases, the other driver’s negligence may have been so egregious that their victims are eager to file suit. Whichever side you may be on, it is important to understand the behind-the-scenes dynamics of your case and how your claim will be handled. For this reason, you should strongly consider working with an experienced car accident lawyer if you have been injured in a car accident.

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What You Need to Know About Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft continue to be a popular option for those who do not wish to drive, especially in areas with limited public transportation. These services provide an inexpensive and convenient way to get to where you need to go all managed through the convenience of your smartphone. In the event of an accident, however, they do present some unique challenges if you need to pursue an injury claim. If you have been injured in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the claim process.

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Common Defenses in Car Accident Cases

No matter how obvious it may be that the other driver was at fault, you still have to prove your case. In addition, the other party has an opportunity to tell their side of the story - a version of events that may be quite unexpected. If you need to pursue a legal claim, you should be prepared for challenges along the way. A knowledgeable auto accident attorney can help you navigate those challenges and get the compensation you need to make a full recovery from your accident.

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School Bus Accidents: What You Need to Know

It will be time for kids to head back to school before we know it. For many, this means riding the school bus. And while school buses are generally safe, it is important to remember that school bus accidents can and do still happen. Unfortunately, claims arising from these accidents are often more complex than other motor vehicle accident cases. If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, we strongly urge that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss whether you should pursue a claim for compensation.

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Have You Been Injured in an Accident? Six Things You Need to Know

While it is true that accidents happen, many accidents are avoidable. In fact, many accidents are caused by negligence - the failure to take due care to avoid causing harm to others. Unfortunately, many people do not realize that they have important rights if they have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. As a result, they often find themselves with bills they can’t pay and no way to recover their losses. If you have been injured in any type of accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can review your case and discuss whether you can or should pursue a claim.

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Car Accidents Involving Self-Driving Cars

What was once science fiction is now poised to become a reality in the very near future. We already have cars that include increasingly sophisticated technology that assists drivers in a variety of ways, as well as Tesla’s autopilot mode. Driverless trucks and cars are on the horizon, promising to revolutionize our lives both on and off the road. However, there is a complex legal framework behind this developing technology as well as many potential legal issues. If you have been involved in an accident with a car where this technology may be an issue, you need a car accident attorney who understands the complex nuances that these cases present.

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What to Do if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance

Under Florida law, all drivers are required to carry insurance. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that every driver is insured. Many people lose their insurance coverage when they fail to pay their premiums or their insurance coverage may have been canceled for some other reason. Whatever the case may be, the unfortunate reality is that it can cause significant complications with your claim if you have been injured in an accident with an uninsured driver. If you have found yourself in this situation, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.

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Why You Need a Lawyer if You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident

According to the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal accidents involving large trucks increased by 13% from 2020 to 2021. While the statistics for 2021 have not yet been finalized, this increase comes as a shock after seeing a decline from 2019 to 2020. There were 4,965 fatalities involving large trucks in 2020, while there were 5,601 fatalities involving large trucks in 2021. When you consider that more than 70% of the people killed in those accidents were the occupants of other vehicles, you start to understand why an increase in truck accident fatalities is troubling.

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How to Prove Distracted Driving

Florida’s law banning the use of smartphones and other electronic devices went into effect in July of 2019. Distracted driving is negligent driving regardless of the law, but it can help your case if you were injured in an accident and the other driver is given a ticket for texting while driving. Unfortunately, there are many cases where distracted driving was the cause of the accident but no ticket was issued. And even if a ticket was issued, you will still need to prove that the other driver was not only driving while distracted but that it caused your accident that led to your injuries.

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Seven Mistakes That Can Jeopardize Your Car Accident Claim

The days following your car accident can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, this is also the time that people tend to make mistakes that can do irreparable damage to their claims. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have a claim, it is best to proceed carefully in order to protect your rights. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is talk to a Defuniak Springs car accident lawyer - they can help you find the way forward, even if you choose not to pursue a claim.

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Car Accidents and Pre-Existing Conditions

All kinds of people are involved in car accidents every day, including the elderly and the unwell. Unfortunately, people with pre-existing conditions face unique challenges when it comes to pursuing a claim for compensation. The Niceville car accident lawyers at Powell, Powell & Powell want you to know that you are not alone, and we have the knowledge and experience you need to make a full recovery.

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FLHSMV Releases 2021 Crash Data

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recently released its crash data for 2021. While the data is considered “preliminary” and finalized data has not been published, it does provide a snapshot of trending motor vehicle accidents across Florida and in Okaloosa County. Analyzing the data is a sober reminder that motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries and deaths in our area. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a Crestview auto accident lawyer can help you get back on your feet.

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Do You Need a Lawyer Even Though You Have PIP Coverage?

As with a handful of other states, Florida is a “No-Fault” accident state. This means that the personal injury protection (“PIP”) coverage that is included with your automobile insurance covers any bodily injuries that you suffer as a result of a car accident, regardless of fault. Compare this to other states where you must pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for your injuries.

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Weather-Related Car Accidents

While Florida drivers do not have to contend with snow and ice common during winter in other states, weather can still play a factor in many accidents. In these accidents, there is a tendency to think that no one is at fault. While weather can cause some accidents that are simply unavoidable, this is not always the case. If you have been injured in a weather-related car accident, a Fort Walton car accident lawyer can review your case and determine whether you have a claim.

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What You Need to Know if You Have Been Injured in a Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver

It is an unfortunate reality that drunk driving accidents spike during the holidays. Whether it is a family get-together or a company party, people celebrating the holidays often means getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving accidents can lead to serious injuries and even death in some cases. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, the best thing you can do is contact a Fort Walton car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

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Things to Consider if You Have Been Injured as a Passenger in a Car Accident

When considering car accidents and potential injury claims, the focus tends toward the claim that one driver makes against the other. In reality, many car accidents also result in injuries to passengers. It is important to understand that passenger claims have their own unique considerations when it comes to pursuing a claim for compensation. If you have been injured as a passenger in a car accident, you should contact a Fort Walton car accident lawyer to discuss your options.

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Were You Injured in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

A recent accident near Orlando involved 15 vehicles and sent six people to the hospital. The accident occurred on State Road 417 and highlights how easily these accidents can occur when there is a high volume of traffic moving at a high rate of speed. Multi-vehicle accidents often result in severe injuries and can even result in death. Unfortunately, pursuing a claim for compensation can be very challenging in these types of cases. If you have been injured in a multi-vehicle accident, a Fort Walton car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

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Is the Other Driver Blaming You for Your Car Accident?

Car accidents often happen so fast that there can be considerable disagreement as to what happened. In some cases, the at-fault driver is unwilling to accept responsibility for their own role in the accident and looks to blame the other driver. Whether they claim the accident is entirely or partially your fault, it can have important implications for your claim. If you have been injured in a car accident and the at-fault driver is blaming you, A Fort Walton car accident lawyer can overcome this argument and help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Teen Driver Accidents: What Parents Need to Know

For many Florida parents, dealing with their teen drivers’ accidents is an unfortunate fact of life. Teen drivers face a number of risks and temptations as they learn, from careless drivers to receiving texts and social media notifications behind the wheel.

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4 Reasons to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then Florida law may give you a right to sue and recover damages from the defendant.  In pursuing a claim against the defendant, however, you’ll want to work with a qualified attorney who can represent your interests from beginning to end.

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Don’t Talk to Insurers Without an Attorney

If you have purchased car insurance, then you probably expect it to pay out when you are involved in a car accident.  Unfortunately, insurance companies are always looking for ways to avoid having to payout for losses sustained by their policyholders.  In doing so, they engage a few different strategies, such as communicating directly with their policyholder (so that the policyholder will make a statement undermining their claims).

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Consequences of a No-Fault Repeal in Florida

The Florida Senate, with the support of the Florida Justice Association (FJA), has recently passed SB 54 in a party-line vote, which would replace no-fault insurance, also known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), with Mandatory Bodily Injury (MBI) Insurance.

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Punitive Damages in a Car Accident Case

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then Florida law may not only entitle you to significant compensatory damages (paying out for your injuries and the consequences thereof) but may also allow you to pursue bonus punitive damages.  These bonus punitive damages can lead to multimillion-dollar damage totals — in fact, many cases involving punitive damages have damage totals that are sufficiently high that they make the news.  As such, pursuing punitive damages is worthwhile if you can justify the claim.

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Suing the Employer of a Defendant in an Auto Accident

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, then you may be somewhat overwhelmed by the prospect of litigation.  This anxiety can be worsened if you discover that the defendant-driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage (or personal assets) to cover your losses.  In such circumstances, you may have to start looking at other potential defendants from whom you can secure compensation.

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