Did you recently suffer injuries or lose a loved one in a car accident in Melbourne, Florida? If so, contact the award-winning Melbourne car accident lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law at (321) 334-3929. Your initial case evaluation is free.
Norden Leacox is a leader in car accident litigation. Our top-rated Florida trial attorneys have 100 years of combined experience and a demonstrated ability to win big. Through determination and hard work, we’ve forced insurance companies and other powerful adversaries to pay our clients tens of millions in compensation.
Why Choose Norden Leacox To Help Me With My Car Accident Case in Melbourne, FL?
Norden Leacox is known for delivering exceptional results in high-stakes personal injury cases. Our team combines extensive legal expertise with an unwavering commitment to helping car accident victims move forward with their lives.
Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers are Board Certified Specialists in Civil Trial Law, and their impressive track record has earned them top honors from groups such as:
- Top 100 – The National Trial Lawyers
- Super Lawyers
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Our case results speak for themselves, with over $89 million recovered. Some of our most recent verdicts include:
- $1.25 million verdict for an automobile accident
- $1 million verdict for a motor vehicle accident, with an initial offer of $8,000
- $750,000 verdict for a vehicle accident
Our experienced car accident lawyers represent clients on contingency, meaning you’ll pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. Contact our legal team to discuss your auto accident case.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Hiring an experienced attorney to represent you can make a huge difference. The Insurance Research Council found that plaintiffs who hire attorneys are more likely to win their personal injury claims and recover up to 3.5 times more in compensation than those who don’t.
Here’s why:
- You level the playing field against tough insurance companies and prevent them from dictating the terms of your case.
- You benefit from the firm’s valuable experience and connections with trusted experts.
- You’ll know what your case is worth and won’t be manipulated into accepting a lowball deal.
- You have someone to help you fight back against claims of comparative fault.
- You’ll get help evaluating your medical records, police reports, property damage, photographs of your injuries, pictures of the scene, video footage, witness statements, and other evidence obtained through discovery.
Hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the best decisions you can make after a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. When you choose Norden Leacox, you’ll put a respected team of litigators in your corner and set yourself up for a substantial monetary recovery.
Contact us to learn why you’ll want us fighting for you throughout the process.
How Much Is My Melbourne Car Accident Claim Worth?
There’s no standard settlement or payout in these cases. Every victim’s situation is different, and the things that make your case unique will ultimately dictate its value.
Several factors must be considered when assessing how much money you might be able to get:
- Did you suffer severe injuries?
- Will you need long-term medical treatment or nursing care?
- Have you been forced to miss work?
- Are you temporarily or permanently disabled?
- What out-of-pocket costs have you had?
- What insurance benefits are available? What are the policy limits?
- How old are you?
- Did you take appropriate steps to mitigate your damages?
- Are you getting blamed?
- How has your life changed since the accident?
The best way to get a sense of what your car accident case might be worth is by reaching out to an experienced lawyer near you in Melbourne, Florida. Get in touch with a skilled lawyer at Norden Leacox to discuss the details of your case.
What Damages Can I Get if I’ve Been Hurt in an Auto Accident?
You may be entitled to compensatory damages after a car accident, which fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are intended to offset the financial costs and losses resulting from the wreck, such as:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Funeral expenses if you file a wrongful death claim
Non-economic damages are the consequences of being in an accident that don’t come with a price tag. Examples include:
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Chronic physical pain
- Pain and suffering
You can trust that a lawyer from our firm will pursue every available avenue to obtain maximum compensation on your behalf.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
If you’ve suffered an injury in Florida, you will typically have two years to file a legal claim for damages. The same goes for filing a wrongful death lawsuit after the loss of a family member.
There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations. They tend to involve government tort claims, which are subject to their own rules and regulations, and accidents where children are injured.
You do not want to miss the deadline that applies to your case. You’ll lose the right to financial compensation if your claim isn’t filed before time runs out.
Protect yourself by contacting our Melbourne auto accident lawyers for help right away.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
At Norden Leacox, our attorneys represent clients who’ve been injured in:
- Rear-end collisions: While very few rear-end crashes are fatal, victims can still suffer a wide range of injuries, like whiplash, in these accidents. A Melbourne rear-end crash lawyer can help secure the compensation you deserve.
- Head-on collisions: These accidents can happen when drivers get distracted, lose control, or get confused and drive the wrong way down a one-way road.
- Rollover accidents: These motor vehicle accidents tend to involve SUVs, light trucks, and other vehicles with a high center of gravity. Most rollovers occur when a driver makes a sharp turn while speeding or “trips” on a hazard on the roadway.
- Single-vehicle accidents: These occur when drivers lose control because they’re drunk or distracted. In these accidents, the car tends to strike a fixed object at high speeds or run off the road.
- Intersection accidents: Intersections are inherently dangerous. So, it’s no surprise that more than half of all traffic accidents happen at or near an intersection of two or more roads. In Melbourne, the intersection of U.S. 1 and Eau Gallie Blvd is home to dozens of collisions every year.
Other types of accidents we handle in Melbourne include:
- Side-impact accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Accidents with uninsured drivers
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Melbourne?
Getting into a car accident in Melbourne can be a shock. However, it is essential to keep your composure and take certain steps after you’ve been in a wreck.
- Report your accident to the local police immediately – you’ll want a formal record.
- Remain at or near the scene until an officer responds to your call for help.
- Don’t apologize or accept responsibility for the accident – fault can only be established after a thorough investigation is completed.
- Take pictures of your injuries, property damage, and the scene of the accident.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with other parties.
- Get the names and numbers of any witnesses to the accident.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you’re not transported from the scene by emergency medical professionals. Do this even if you think you are unharmed or only suffered minor injuries.
- Reach out to an experienced car accident attorney in Melbourne to discuss your situation. We can guide you through this process.
- Refuse to provide a recorded statement for your insurer or the other driver’s insurance company – direct all questions to your attorney instead.
- Get a copy of your accident report from the City of Melbourne, Florida.
Your choices and decisions can have a huge impact on your health and any subsequent legal claims. Don’t hesitate to contact us after your accident. We are always available to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What Are Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws?
Florida has no-fault insurance rules when it comes to auto accidents. All Florida drivers are required to purchase at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. If you are injured in a collision, you must bring a claim under your PIP policy to recover money for medical expenses and lost income.
These benefits are limited to a portion of your medical costs and lost wages (up to the policy limits). You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover additional compensation. You must be “seriously injured” or your damages must exceed the coverage limits of your PIP policy.
If you were in a collision, an experienced firm can help you understand whether you can file a car accident claim for full damages.
Who’s Liable for My Crash?
In Florida, anyone who directly or indirectly causes an accident can be financially responsible, or liable, for resulting damages. This is true assuming you’re able to obtain compensation beyond the state’s “no-fault” car insurance rules.
At the conclusion of an in-depth investigation, we might find that one or more of the following parties are liable:
- A motorist
- Truck driver
- Motorcyclist
- Bicyclist
- Pedestrian
- Uber or Lyft rideshare driver
- Transit company
- Government agency
- Property owner
- Parts manufacturer
- Passengers
- Negligent party’s employer
Once our Melbourne car accident attorneys have established fault, we’ll devise a legal strategy that holds them fully accountable for your serious injuries and suffering.
Common Car Accident Injuries
At Norden Leacox, we’re here to help you recover fair compensation for all of your crash-related injuries, including:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Brain injuries
- Amputation
- Chest injuries
- Burns
- Crushing injuries
- Eye injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of someone you love
You have one opportunity to get compensation for your debilitating car accident injuries. Get medical attention as soon as possible, and then make the most of your case by enlisting the help of our Florida litigators. Reach out to set up a time for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Negligence – or a lack of reasonable care – is the primary reason for auto accidents.
Specifically, some of the top causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving/driving under the influence (DUI)
- Fatigued driving
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal turns
- Rolling stops
- Running red lights
- Tailgating
- Reckless driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
Other factors, including road defects, vehicle defects, and stormy weather, also contribute to some accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Compensation if I Was Partly at Fault for My Car Accident?
It’s possible. Florida operates under a system of modified comparative negligence, and recovery is barred at 51 percent.
This means:
- You cannot receive damages from a negligent driver if you’re 51 percent or more responsible for your car accident.
- You are entitled to a reduced monetary award if your share of the blame is equal to or less than half.
Suppose you’re injured in a car accident at a busy intersection in Melbourne. Your case is valued at $100,000. However, you are also assigned 25 percent fault for the crash. As a result, your maximum financial payout would be limited to $75,000.
Expect the defense to blame you for the accident. Shifting liability, even a little bit, can significantly reduce how much they’ll be required to pay for your injuries. Our car accident attorneys in Melbourne will be prepared to fight these tactics and work to maximize your recovery.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Getting into a car accident can be stressful. Hiring an attorney shouldn’t be. That’s why our auto accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
There are no out-of-pocket costs to hire our firm. We’ll cover your case expenses and invest the time needed to challenge a powerful insurance company.
You’ll only pay when we win money for you through a settlement or jury award. Our fees, a pre-determined percentage of your recovery, come from your monetary award.
Don’t hesitate to contact our Florida office to discuss our fees and discover the benefits of having our attorneys fight for you.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
The vast majority of car accident cases are settled, which saves the parties the time and expense of going to trial. Roughly 4 to 5 percent of plaintiffs end up in front of a jury.
Several things can influence whether or not a case goes to trial:
- Has the insurance company offered a fair settlement?
- Is liability contested?
- Do you have compelling evidence to support your claim?
- How far apart are the parties on the valuation of damages?
Whether or not your case goes to trial is up to you. You have the power to reject or accept any settlement offers you receive. You can increase the likelihood of avoiding trial and getting a life-changing settlement by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer to represent you.
Call Our Melbourne Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Getting into a crash can change your life. When someone else is responsible for the wreck, they must be held accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Norden Leacox can help you assert your legal rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
When you turn to our Melbourne car accident attorneys for help, you benefit from a team of attorneys with 100+ years of combined experience that’s won tens of millions of dollars in damages. Set yourself up for success by reaching out to us now. Your case assessment is free.
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Additional Resources
- Traffic Crash Reports
- Florida Highway Patrol – Current Traffic Incidents
- Traffic Advisories
- Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections
Car Accident Infographic
