Pace, FL Auto Accident Lawyers

Pace is a thriving community of over 25,000 people. Widely considered to be one of the best places to live in Florida, Pace has grown exponentially over the years. Between 2010 and 2020, there was a 22.8% increase in the city’s population.

The increase in population has resulted in an increase in traffic congestion, as a result of which auto accidents have become more common than ever before. In Santa Rosa County, which Pace is a part of, over 2,300 accidents are reported annually on average resulting in serious injuries and fatalities to the victims.

If you have been injured or have lost a family member in an auto accident, you need effective legal representation to get the compensation you are legally entitled to. At Whibbs, Stone, Barnett & Turner, we have over 60 years of combined experience in representing auto accident victims and have the expertise and resources to handle highly complex auto injury claims. We can fight for you and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to talk to one of our committed Pace, FL auto accident lawyers.

Driver Negligence in Auto Accident Claims in Pace, FL

Driver negligence is the most common factor that contributes to auto accidents in Pace. Despite the fact that drivers in Florida are legally obligated to take reasonable precautions while driving and respect the rights of other road users, many drivers tend to drive in a careless and reckless manner – putting their own lives as well as other people’s lives at risk.

The most common forms of driver negligence and recklessness that can significantly increase the risk of accidents include speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving, fatigued or drowsy driving, running red lights, making unsafe lane changes and turns, and failing to yield the right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians.

Apart from driver negligence, defective auto parts, dangerous conditions on roads, and bad weather are also some of the common causes of auto accidents in Pace.

The Most Dangerous Intersections in Pace, FL

The most accident-prone intersections in Pace, FL are:

• The intersection of Chumuckla Highway and US Highway 90.
• The intersection of Woodbine Road and Chumuckla Highway.
• The intersection of Spears Street and US Highway 90.
• The intersection of Berryhill Road and West Spencer Field Road.

Filing a No-Fault Claim after an Auto Accident in Pace, FL

Following an auto accident, you can file a no-fault claim – also referred to as a personal injury protection (PIP) claim – with your own auto insurance provider and recover compensation. The compensation is meant to cover up to 80% of your medical bills and up to 60% of your lost wages (up to your policy’s limit).

It should be noted that PIP coverage is only meant to compensate you for minor to moderate injuries. If your injuries are serious in nature, you can file a tort claim against the party that caused the accident and recover compensation for your injuries, lost earnings, as well as non-economic losses.

What is Considered a Serious Injury under Florida Law?

Under Florida law, an injury needs to meet what is called the tort threshold in order to be considered a serious injury.

The four types of injuries that meet the tort threshold are:

• Permanent injuries.
• Injuries that result in severe scarring or disfigurement.
• Injuries that result in significant or permanent loss of a major bodily function.
• Injuries that result in death.

In order to prove that your injury meets the aforementioned threshold, you need to provide a wide range of evidence including your medical records, a statement from your physician, and reports and testimonies from medical experts.

Compensatory Damages You Can Recover in a Pace, FL Auto Accident Claim

If your injuries meet the aforementioned threshold, you might be able to recover the following damages from the at-fault party.

Economic Damages

• Current, ongoing, and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost earnings
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life

Filing a Loss of Consortium Claim after an Auto Accident in Pace, FL

If you are seriously injured in the accident and if your relationship with your spouse is affected as a result, your spouse can bring a loss of consortium claim against the at-fault party and seek compensation for the loss of intimacy, love, and affection.

If you have unmarried children, they have the right to bring a loss of parental consortium against the at-fault party and seek compensation for the loss of love, affection, care, and comfort as well as the services you provided as a parent prior to your accident.

Punitive Damages in a Pace, FL Auto Accident Claim

If the at-fault party in question is found to have acted in a grossly negligent manner, you might be eligible to receive punitive damages – over and above the compensatory damages you are entitled to.

Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are not meant to compensate you. They are meant to punish the at-fault party. They are only awarded in cases where the at-fault party’s conduct is so egregious that they deserve to be punished.

For example, if a drunk driver causes an accident in which one or more people suffer serious injuries, it can be considered an act of gross negligence.

Team Up with Our Seasoned Pace, FL Auto Accident Lawyers to Maximize Your Compensation

At Whibbs, Stone, Barnett & Turner, we are committed to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they are legally entitled to. With over six decades of combined experience, we can provide you with personalized, results-oriented legal representation and fight tirelessly to obtain maximum compensation.

Our attorneys are known for the breadth of their legal knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and work ethic. We work on a contingency basis and will not charge you a dime until we win your case and recover compensation.

Call our firm today at 850-409-6403 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Pace, FL car accident lawyer.