Automobile Accidents

Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Florida

Published on: June 12, 2024 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

According to recent data, Florida has the highest percentage of uninsured drivers of any state, with over 25% of drivers being uninsured. If you are in a car accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you have several options to cover your expenses, starting with your own insurance.

Florida Insurance

Florida law requires that all vehicles be insured by a minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL). These two coverages provide some financial compensation for expenses related to your physical injuries and any damage you cause to another car or other property.

Damage Caps in Florida for Car Accidents

Published on: May 21, 2024 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

How much will I receive in my Florida personal injury case? This is a common question that I hear. The answer depends on the extent of your injuries and the degree of negligence of the other party. It also depends on the expertise of the lawyer. As an experienced personal injury attorney with a track record of winning significant awards for my clients, I know what questions to ask and where to look to provide you with the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Personal injury lawsuits can be filed for any situation in which you believe you have been hurt due to the negligence of another party. Car accidents are a common cause of injuries for which compensation may be sought. Others may include accidents involving other types of vehicles, such as bicycles, off-road recreation vehicles, boats, and jet skis; defective or dangerous product injuries; slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall cases; medical malpractice; animal attacks; and unsafe premises.

Regardless of the cause of the personal injury, Florida law applies no caps on economic or non-economic damages, collectively referred to as compensatory damages. Florida does have a cap on punitive damages, which a jury may impose upon the party at fault as a form of punishment when gross or willful negligence has occurred. The cap on punitive damages is three times the compensatory damages or a maximum of $500,000.

Injured in a Large Truck Accident

Published on: April 24, 2024 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Commercial trucks are big vehicles. When they cause accidents here in Florida, they are usually serious with significant damage to the people in the other vehicles. The difference between an accident with another car and an accident with a large truck, such as a construction vehicle or a tractor-trailer full of products, is that trucks are usually connected to big companies with big insurance companies behind them. And those companies are experts in limiting or avoiding compensation to injured parties. If you are involved in a truck accident, you will not get the fair compensation you deserve without an experienced personal injury lawyer.

As a lifelong Florida resident and personal injury lawyer, I’ve represented many injured parties who were hurt by a truck. Trucks cannot stop or accelerate as quickly as automobiles; they can’t take tight turns and they swing wide; they sometimes drive over the yellow dividing line in the road; they often go through yellow or red lights, simply because it is easier than stopping a huge load; and frankly, some truck drivers (not all, but some) act like they own the road. Any one of these factors can cause an accident that seriously injures drivers and passengers in smaller, lighter vehicles.

Building your case

Work with the Right Doctor If You Are Injured in an Accident

Published on: April 15, 2024 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

If you have been injured in an accident here in Florida, make sure you are treated by a doctor who is an expert in accident injuries, because not all doctors know what to look for, especially in car accident victims, slip-and-fall victims, and those injured by recreational vehicles or sporting equipment. Here in Florida, the vacation destination of the world, injuries are unfortunately not rare. As a personal injury attorney and lifetime Florida resident, I am committed to helping my fellow Floridians get the compensation they need when they are injured due to the negligence of others.

If medical personnel come to the scene of your injury, or if you are transported by ambulance to a hospital for immediate treatment, do not refuse such treatment. An immediate examination to find any obvious injuries and any possible internal bleeding or other critical medical emergencies is always a good idea. But be sure to follow up with specialists.

PIP Coverage

Hit by a Rental Car in Florida – What Should You Do?

Published on: April 3, 2024 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Florida is the number one tourism state in the country, and many of those millions of tourists every year choose to rent a car. Unfortunately, being in an unfamiliar vehicle in unfamiliar territory is often a dangerous combination, which is why our beautiful state has one of the highest rates of auto accidents in the country. If you are hit by someone driving a rental car, there are a few things you should know.

What to do in the event of an accident

Regardless of who is driving what type of car, there are certain things everyone in Florida should do immediately after an accident and within the subsequent days:

Will Rental Car Insurance Protect You When Renting a Car in Florida?

Published on: March 13, 2024 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

While you are not required to purchase insurance from the rental company, it might be a good idea to do so. Insurance can cover car damage or injury, in the event that you are involved in an accident.

If you have auto insurance already, you may not need to pay for additional coverage from the rental company. Most personal insurance policies cover rental cars, as well. However, check your policy or call the company to confirm and to determine if there are any limits or exceptions – for instance, renting certain types of vehicles or renting for extended periods of time. You may also want to fill in any gaps in your personal insurance with rental insurance.

Types of insurance coverage

Why Call Police after an Accident in Florida

Published on: October 26, 2023 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

If you are involved in an automobile accident in Florida, call 911 right away. A 911 call will automatically record that an accident occurred, will dispatch the police, and will allow you to request medical assistance. Florida law states that drivers are required to contact the police as soon as possible after an accident when:

there is bodily injury or death
the accident involved an intoxicated driver or a hit-and-run

Car Accident: When the Other Driver Goes Silent after an Accident

Published on: June 11, 2023 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

A car accident, whether minor or serious, can damage your physical and emotional health, as well as damage your vehicle. Unfortunately, Florida has one of the highest auto accident rates in the United States, due in large part to the many visitors to our Sunshine State who don’t know the area and may be distracted as they look for their destination. It’s important to know what to do in the case of an accident and when to reach out for legal help.

What to do after a car accident

Be prepared to take these important steps if you’re ever involved in a vehicular accident in Florida:

After a Car Accident, NEVER Do This

Published on: December 15, 2022 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Florida is a destination state year-round. Visitors from around the country and the world flock to Florida because of our state’s natural beauty, many attractions, amusement parks, and resorts. The presence of a large number of tourists creates unique traffic conditions in the Sunshine State because so many drivers are unfamiliar with the region. This almost guarantees a lot of distracted drivers or erratic driving, which translates into car accidents.

If you are in a car accident in Florida, whether you’re a native or a visitor, there are several things you should NEVER do in the aftermath of the accident.

Never skip calling 911. Even if the accident seems minor and no one is hurt, it’s important to have police or medical personnel come to document the event and provide immediate medical attention.

Accidents Due to Road Construction in Florida

Published on: July 26, 2022 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

You may not think accidents caused by road construction are common, but according to OSHA, every year more than 40,000 people are injured in work zone accidents, and every day three people on average die in accidents due to highway construction.

Nearly 20% of the U.S. highway system is under construction in peak seasons, with active construction sites estimated to be about every 100 miles.

Partly because of our wet weather and partly due to heavy traffic, road construction is common in Florida. While sometimes accidents can’t be avoided you can help keep yourself safe when going through work zones by staying alert and slowing down.