Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Car accidents lead to an array of injuries that can have long-lasting or permanent effects on a victim’s health as well as finances. The knowledgeable motor vehicle collision attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon represent individuals near Miami who have sustained harm because another driver acted carelessly. Assisting clients throughout Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward Counties, we are dedicated to helping you assert your right to the compensation that you deserve for the harm that you endured.

Millions of individuals are hurt in collisions on the highway each year. In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that over two million people suffered injuries in a car crash. Leading factors contributing to accidents range from speeding and distracted motorists to aggressive driving and road hazards. Regardless of the causes of these collisions, injuries that result are usually painful and expensive and may be life-altering or permanent. They may include:

• Spinal cord damage, such as whiplash or paralysis;
• Broken and fractured bones;
• Head trauma, including concussions or serious brain injury; and
• Scarring or disfigurement.

Some of these injuries may even lead to fatalities. In 2012, over 30,000 car accidents resulted in a tragic loss of life.

Car crashes are often the result of a driver’s careless actions. To hold an individual liable for injuries sustained due to his or her negligence, a victim may pursue a personal injury claim. To receive compensation, the person must show the defendant was negligent by proving:

• He or she owed a duty of care;
• That duty of care was breached with some careless action;
• The breach caused the victim’s injuries; and
• Quantifiable damages were incurred as a result.

All drivers in Florida have a duty of care to act behind the wheel as a reasonable motorist would behave in similar circumstances. For example, a victim can demonstrate a driver’s negligence by showing the accident was caused by his or her failure to stay in the proper lane or use of a cell phone while driving.

Other parties may also be liable for injuries sustained in a car accident. In some cases, a driver behaves negligently while operating a vehicle in the scope of his or her employment. An employer may be vicariously liable for an employee’s actions if they are a requirement of the job, if they happened during the time of employment, and if they were motivated to assist the employer. For example, a pizza restaurant may be responsible for a collision caused by a driver who was texting with a customer while making a delivery.

Once an injured person has proven liability, he or she may be awarded damages, including past and future medical costs, loss of income, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If a loved one has died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident, his or her family may file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to be compensated for hospital bills and funeral or burial expenses, as well as loss of consortium, companionship, and more. It is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney to ensure your rights are protected following a car crash.

The victims of preventable collisions should be able to seek damages for their harm from those responsible for causing it. The car accidents at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon offer compassionate and experienced guidance to individuals in Miami and surrounding communities who are considering pursuing a legal claim. If you’ve been injured because another driver acted carelessly, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.