Boca Raton Rear End Accident Lawyer
A rear-end crash could happen anywhere traffic backs up, and not just at intersections. Construction, congestion, and accident-related slowdowns are very common in Palm Beach County. Other times, traffic slows down for no apparent reason. The same duty of care applies to all motorists in all situations. Drivers must watch the road, concentrate on driving, and avoid accidents if possible. A breakdown in any area could cause a serious collision.
The compassionate Boca Raton rear end accident lawyers at Smith, Ball & Báez understand the intense pain and suffering these injuries cause. Many of the people on our professional team have experienced similar things in their lives. This compassion and understanding motivates us to work extra hard to obtain the financial compensation these families need and deserve. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Due to the nature of these injury cases, additional punitive damages are often available as well. Drivers who rear-end other drivers nearly always simply aren’t watching the road, for whatever reason.
Building a Car Crash Case
This compensation is available if a Boca Raton rear end accident lawyer proves negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not.
Evidence in a car crash case usually begins with witness statements, medical bills, and the police accident report. Sometimes, this evidence alone is sufficient to obtain maximum compensation. But many times, it isn’t sufficient, especially if an insurance company defense, like comparative fault, could apply.
Basically, comparative fault shifts the blame for an accident from the tortfeasor (negligent driver) to the victim. Florida is one of only nine pure comparative fault states, so this rule works differently in Florida than in nearby states.
Back to the evidence in a car crash case. The police accident report is a good example of proof that could be mind-blowing or inadequate. Sometimes, multiple law enforcement agencies work on a crash investigation and combine their resources to issue a well-written report. Generally, however, a single officer writes the report almost as an afterthought. That’s usually the case in rear-end crashes. These officers often miss important details and exclude them from their reports.
To help ensure maximum compensation, many attorneys partner with accident reconstruction professionals in these situations. These experts take bits of evidence and put them together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The result is a clear picture of the accident that’s much more comprehensive and accurate than the sketchy outline in the police accident report.
Resolving a Car Crash Case
Almost all personal injury claims settle out of court. Unless your lawyer is a good negotiator, as well as a good litigator, there’s a good chance you will have to settle for less.
Typically, a third-party mediator helps the two sides reach an agreement. Mediators know how to bring two sides together. Perhaps more importantly, the mediator enforces a court-ordered duty to negotiate in good faith. Each side must want to settle the claim and avoid trial. Furthermore, each side must be willing to compromise, if that’s what it takes to reach an agreement.
Largely because of these two things, mediation is about 90 percent successful in personal injury claims.
Contact a Hard-Working Palm Beach County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced rear end accident lawyer in Boca Raton, contact Smith, Ball, Baez & Prather, Florida Injury Lawyers. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.