Florida Local Accident Resources

Have you or a loved one have been involved in a serious motor vehicle accident that either led to severe injuries or a fatality in the state of Florida? You may have found that recovery is one of the most difficult processes that you have ever endured and wonder where you can turn for help in your time of need. Many people who become victims of these serious accidents each year will suffer severe or life-threatening injuries that consist of both physical and emotional trauma and can take a financial toll on your life. You may feel as if the medical bills are constantly piling up and that your case involves intense help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Many of these accidents also take place due to criminal nature such as DUI or other negligence. Even though it might feel as if your case is moving in a difficult position, you can still discover a variety of resources at your fingertips that will lessen your stress during this time of recovery.

If You Are Unable to Work as the Result of a Catastrophic Accident

If you have found that your injuries are so disabling that they have taken away your ability to work on either a temporary or permanent level, you may be able to turn to a variety of resources to help support you financially at this time:

● Florida Social Security Disability Benefits: These are resources that help you if you are out of work due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year.
● Supplemental Security Income: Through Employ Florida, adults and children with low income and limited resources can apply for this type of helpful income.
● Wage Loss and Car Accidents: If you were involved in a motor vehicle crash that is not your fault, you can use this resource as a way to apply for money through your car insurance company.
● Florida Bar Association: The Bar Association within Florida will help connect you with an experienced attorney following a catastrophic accident and help you determine if you have a case.

Need help with requesting an official copy of the incident police report?

After being involved in a car accident in Florida, injured victims will want to retrieve a copy of their police reports in order to file personal injury lawsuits against all liable parties. Injured victims can request a copy of their police report from the records division of the law enforcement agency responsible for filing the report. Some agencies may supply copies of police reports online. Individuals will need to know their case number, date of the accident, location of the accident, and the name of the drivers involved in order to retrieve a copy of the report.

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident and still have not received a copy of the police report, we can help you get a copy. Our local personal injury lawyer can provide you with a free copy of your incident report.

Emotional Support

The physical effects of an accident are not the only problem that may impact your life. There can be deep wounds created on an emotional level through your accident. If you are in need of sophisticated help for mental trauma after an accident, you can check out these helpful links:

● National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) in Florida: NAMI will connect you with the help that you need through treatment for children and families as you deal with this difficult time in your life.
● Florida Council for Community Mental Health: This is one of the most comprehensive councils meant to give you effective services if you are dealing with mental health issues following an accident.
● Florida Therapists: Here you can find some highly-trained, professional therapists who can play a role in your treatment after an accident has left you with trauma, all throughout Florida.

Financial Hardship Assistance

The weight of legal fees can be crushing for somebody who is unable to pay for them themselves. The finances after an accident can put a burden on you or your family, so you might need additional help.

● Florida Office of the Attorney General: Here, you will be walked through the process of victim’s compensation and find out what it could mean for you and your family during this difficult time.

Car Insurance Information

Under Florida law, you must meet certain insurance coverage requirements. Here are the minimum limits for the coverage that you are supposed to carry:

● You must have a minimum of $10,000 in no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which helps cover medical expenses and income loss that resulted from your accident.
● You must also carry a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) insurance that will help you cover property damage that you cause in an accident to another individual’s property.

If you live in Florida, you have protections under a no-fault system. However, many people will opt for bodily injury liability (BIL) as well, which will help to pay for injuries to victims in an accident.

The Florida Highway Patrol can be one of the best resources to receive an accident report that can help you following a devastating car accident. You don’t want to deal with your accident case alone, so request your report today.

Accident Due to Drunk Driving

In Florida, it is a crime to drive drunk or under the influence of drugs that can alter your perception on the roadways. The legal limits in Florida go as follows:

● Motor vehicle operators at a BAC of 0.08%
● Those under 21 at a BAC of over 0.02%
● Commercial drivers at a BAC of 0.04%

Drinking and driving or operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs can be a life-changing matter and put lives at risk, and so the laws and penalties in tandem with these accidents are especially severe. Below are some links that can help you through this difficult time as you attempt to seek help following a DUI accident.

● MADD in Florida: MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is a nonprofit that seeks to end horrific accidents and fight drugged and drunk driving. If you have been injured in one of these accidents, you can turn to them for the support you desire after a serious Florida accident. Best of all, their help is available for you every hour of the day.

Accident in Florida by the Numbers

You can now find information related to the amount of traffic accidents that take place on Florida roadways every year. The state’s population has a huge impact on the number of deaths that stem from these accidents. As of 2017, Florida has a population of 20.98 million people. Here, you can find a variety of facts regarding how many fatal accidents take place every year and alcohol involvement. Some of the resources used to find this data include the CDC and DMV Florida.

Fatal Crash Totals

From 2014-2016, the number of fatal accidents in Florida have increased. The following shows this data:

● 2014: 2,494 fatalities out of 2,336 accidents
● 2015: 2,939 fatalities out of 2,699 accidents
● 2016: 3,176 fatalities out of 2,935 accidents

Types of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths

● Auto accidents as of 2016: 254,155 injuries in 165,940 accidents
● Pedestrian accidents as of 2016: 667 pedestrians killed in 9,102 accidents
● Bicycle accidents as of 2016: 140 bicyclists killed in 6,668 bicycle accidents
● Motorcycle accidents as of 2016: 515 motorcyclists killed in 10,331 accidents

Alcohol Involvement

Between the years 2003-2012, 8,476 people were killed in drunk driving crashes. On a national level, 1.9% of people during this time period reported driving after drinking too much and in Florida, 2.1% reported the same.