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Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Fort Walton Beach
Our Fort Walton Beach auto accident attorneys have extensive experience managing the aftermath of a wide range of car accident scenarios common to our area, including:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes happen frequently on heavily traveled roads like Highway 98 and Beal Parkway. They often result from tailgating or distracted driving, leading to whiplash and spinal injuries.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents
Side-impact crashes, which are particularly problematic at intersections, can cause severe injuries due to the limited protection on the sides of most vehicles.
Head-On Collisions
While less common, head-on crashes are among the most devastating types of auto accidents. These collisions often arise when drivers cross the center line due to impairment, distraction, or fatigue.
Drunk Driving (DUI) Accidents
Driving drunk does not just violate the law — it also ruins lives. We hold intoxicated drivers accountable for the immense harm they cause, pursuing not only fair compensation but also seeking punitive damages where appropriate.
Distracted Driving Accidents
With the prevalence of smartphones, accidents caused by texting, talking, or using apps while driving have become increasingly prevalent. We investigate diligently to prove driver distraction.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
We work with investigators and authorities to identify drivers who flee the scene and explore all avenues for compensation, including UM/UIM coverage.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Accidents
These cases involve complex layers of insurance that hinge on the driver's status at the time of the crash. We know how to interpret these policies effectively to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Accidents Involving Tourists/Out-of-State Drivers
Fort Walton Beach attracts many visitors. Our legal professionals are skilled at handling claims involving drivers with out-of-state insurance policies, as well as addressing jurisdictional issues.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Claims
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation. If the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance, we can help you pursue compensation through your own UM/UIM policy.
Accidents on Eglin Parkway or Near Eglin AFB
We are intimately familiar with the unique aspects of accidents that occur in these high-traffic zones, which can potentially involve government vehicles or military personnel.
Seeking Compensation for Car Accident Injuries
The physical toll of a car wreck can range from moderate to life-altering. Here are some of the most common impacts of auto accidents in Fort Walton Beach:
- Whiplash and neck/back injuries: Damage to soft tissues and discs in the neck and back, often leading to chronic pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced mobility.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): From concussions with subtle, lingering effects to severe TBIs that cause permanent cognitive and physical disabilities.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal trauma that can tragically result in partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia, quadriplegia), requiring lifelong care and adaptation.
- Broken bones and fractures: Requiring casting, surgery, and extensive physical therapy, potentially leading to long-term pain or arthritis.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, contusions, and tears affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which can be acutely painful and slow to heal.
- Internal injuries: Damage to vital organs and internal bleeding necessitating emergency surgery and potentially causing lasting complications.
- Cuts, lacerations, and scarring: Injuries that can cause significant disfigurement, calling for cosmetic procedures and triggering emotional distress.
- Psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and fear of driving following a traumatic crash.
We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive fair compensation for all of their injuries.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Walton Beach
Your actions in the minutes, hours, and days after a car crash are critical. By following these steps, you can protect your health and preserve your legal rights:
Prioritize Safety and Check for Injuries
Your safety is paramount. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If possible and safe to do so, move your vehicle out of active traffic lanes. Call 911 immediately to report the crash and request emergency medical services for anyone injured.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
Cooperate fully with the responding officers from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department or the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Provide accurate information, but avoid speculating about fault. Make sure an official accident report is generated, as this will constitute vital evidence later on.
Exchange Information
Calmly exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information with all other drivers involved. Note the make, model, and color of their vehicles.
Document Everything Thoroughly
If you are physically able, use your phone to take numerous photos and videos of the accident scene from various angles. Capture vehicle damage (yours and others), skid marks, debris, relevant traffic signs or signals, road conditions (standing water, construction, etc.), and any visible injuries.
Identify and Speak with Witnesses
If there were witnesses present, ask for their names and contact information. Independent witness accounts can be instrumental to the success of your case.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention If Needed
If you were injured in the accident, you may decide to go to the emergency room or see your doctor. Note that some injuries are not immediately apparent and will have a delayed onset.
Adhere strictly to your doctor’s treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments to demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries and create essential medical documentation. Remember Florida's 14-day rule for PIP benefits!
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance provider at your earliest convenience. Provide the basic facts, but do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents without consulting an attorney first.
Avoid Discussing Fault or Posting About the Accident Online
Refrain from posting about the crash or your injuries on social media, as the at-fault party or their insurance company may seek to use this information against you.
Contact Michles & Booth Right Away
Lastly, call our Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers for a free consultation. The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights, compile key evidence, and start building a winning case. Do not speak to the other driver’s insurer or accept any settlement offers before talking to us.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Crash in Fort Walton Beach
Under Florida law, if you were injured due to another driver's negligence, you have the right to seek financial compensation (damages) for your losses. Your potential recovery may include the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages serve to offset quantifiable financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses: All costs related to treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications, and assistive devices.
- Lost wages and income: Compensation for the time you have missed from work due to your injuries.
- Lost earning capacity: If your injuries permanently affect your ability to work or earn income at the same level as before the accident.
- Property damage: Reimbursement for the repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the crash.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses: Costs like transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can provide compensation for the intangible, personal impacts of the accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering: Payment for the physical pain, discomfort, and hardship you have endured due to your injuries.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish: Damages for anxiety, depression, fear, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and other psychological impacts.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities, events, and life experiences you enjoyed before the injury.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Restitution for permanent physical changes caused by the accident.
- Loss of consortium: An award that addresses the negative impact your injuries have had on your marital relationship.
Our attorneys will meticulously evaluate every aspect of your case, working with medical and economic experts as needed to ensure that all eligible damages are identified and pursued.
Our Approach: How We Fight for You
At Michles & Booth we employ a comprehensive and strategic methodology for every Fort Walton Beach car accident case we take on:
Free, No-Obligation Consultation
We will begin by listening carefully to your account of the accident. We will then answer your questions, assess the merits of your case, and explain your legal options clearly, all completely free of charge and with no obligation.
In-Depth Investigation
If we accept your case, our team, which includes a medical doctor and dedicated in-house investigators, will immediately begin a thorough investigation. We will gather police reports, secure witness statements, obtain photographic and video evidence, analyze vehicle data (if available), and reconstruct the accident scene to paint a vivid picture of what happened.
Comprehensive Evidence Gathering
Our team will meticulously collect and organize all essential documents, including your complete medical records, billing statements, employment records (to document lost wages), specialist reports, and insurance policy information.
Precise Loss Calculation
We will leave no stone unturned in analyzing the full value of your claim. This might involve taking stock of your medical costs, projecting your future care needs (often with expert input), calculating your lost earnings and diminished capacity, and evaluating the extent of your pain, suffering, and life changes.
Forceful Negotiation with Insurers
Armed with robust evidence and a concrete valuation, our attorneys will engage in no-nonsense negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. We will present a compelling demand package and assertively push for a fair settlement that fully compensates you for the harm you have suffered.
Aggressive Litigation and Trial Representation
While most cases settle out of court, we are prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. Our trial attorneys will make use of advanced courtroom technology and leverage the insight of our in-house medical doctor to present a powerful case to the judge and jury.
Proof That We Can Handle Your Case: Our Case Results
Michles & Booth attorneys Adrian Bridges & Kel Murphy won a $410,633.99 jury verdict for a car crash victim in Escambia County. We fight for the compensation you deserve.
An Okaloosa County man was recently awarded a $320,219 verdict after he sued an insurance company following an injury he blamed on a traffic accident.
One of the largest personal injury awards in Bay County history was decided for an elderly man who said an unlicensed, underaged car wash employee backed into his bicycle.
