Naples Car Accident Attorneys

Helping You Recover After a Car Accident in Naples, FL

If you or someone you love was involved in a car accident, you know how devastating these incidents can be. You may be facing a long road to recovery, and you may be unable to work and earn a living. You may also be facing extensive medical bills and other damages. Fortunately, you do not have to face this situation alone.

Our Naples car accident lawyers at The Dellutri Law Group, PA are here to help you fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed. We have helped thousands of clients recover the compensation they were owed, and we are ready to help you, too.

Call (800) 391-4337 or contact us online today to request a free, confidential consultation for Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, and Personal Injury.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident refers to an incident involving a collision or unexpected event involving one or more vehicles. These accidents can result in varying degrees of damage to property, injuries, or even fatalities. Common types of car accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: These occur when a vehicle hits the one in front due to sudden braking, tailgating, or distractions. They often happen at stoplights or in heavy traffic.
• Head-on collisions: This involves the front ends of two vehicles hitting each other, often resulting from a driver crossing into oncoming traffic or driving the wrong way on a road.
• Side-impact collisions (T-bone): This happens when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another. Intersection accidents are common examples, especially when one car runs a red light or stop sign.
• Single-car accidents: These involve only one vehicle and can happen due to various reasons such as losing control, hitting an object, or running off the road.
• Multi-vehicle pile-ups: These occur on highways and involve numerous vehicles. They often happen due to poor visibility, bad weather, or initial accidents causing a chain reaction.
• Vehicle rollovers: This happens when a vehicle turns over onto its side or roof. SUVs and trucks are more prone to this due to their higher center of gravity.
• Side-swipe accidents: These involve the sides of two vehicles making contact, often when one car tries to change lanes without noticing the other.
• Hit-and-run accidents: This occurs when a driver involved in an accident flees the scene without providing identification or assistance to the other party. It can involve any type of collision but is characterized by the fleeing of the responsible driver.
• Parking lot accidents: Often low-speed collisions, these occur in parking lots when vehicles back out of parking spots, change lanes, or maneuver into spaces, sometimes without proper caution.
• Pedestrian accidents: Involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, these can occur at crosswalks, intersections, or anywhere pedestrians and vehicles share the road. They often result from failure to yield or inattention by the driver.
• Bicycle accidents: Similar to pedestrian accidents, these involve collisions between vehicles and bicycles. Drivers failing to share the road properly or not giving enough space to cyclists can lead to these accidents.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors. In some cases, the accident is caused by the negligence of one or more drivers. In other cases, the accident is caused by a defective vehicle or a dangerous road condition. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Naples include:

• Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 people in 2019 alone. Distracted driving occurs when a driver takes their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, or their mind off the task of driving. Some of the most common forms of distracted driving include texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, and using a navigation system.
• Drunk driving: Drunk driving is another leading cause of car accidents in the United States. In fact, according to the NHTSA, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident every 52 minutes. Drunk driving occurs when a driver operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. In Florida, you may be able to recover punitive damages if you were injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.
• Speeding: Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. In fact, according to the NHTSA, speeding was a factor in 26% of all fatal car accidents in 2019. Speeding is especially dangerous in Florida, where the weather is often clear and the roads are often straight. When a driver is speeding, they have less time to react to a dangerous situation and are more likely to lose control of their vehicle.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving is another leading cause of car accidents in the United States. Reckless driving occurs when a driver operates a vehicle in a way that shows a willful disregard for the safety of others. Some examples of reckless driving include running red lights, tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, and failing to yield the right of way.
• Defective vehicles: In some cases, a car accident is caused by a defective vehicle. For example, the accident may be caused by a defective tire, a defective airbag, or a defective seatbelt. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a defective vehicle, you may be able to recover compensation from the manufacturer of the vehicle or the manufacturer of the defective part.
• Dangerous road conditions: In other cases, a car accident is caused by a dangerous road condition. For example, the accident may be caused by a pothole, a missing or broken traffic sign, or a missing or broken guardrail. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a dangerous road condition, you may be able to recover compensation from the government entity responsible for maintaining the road.

Florida Car Accident Laws

In a no-fault state like Florida, after a car accident, drivers are required to turn to their own insurance companies to cover certain expenses, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This system aims to streamline the claims process and provide prompt compensation for injuries and related costs without lengthy legal battles to determine fault.

PIP coverage is mandatory for drivers in Florida. It is a type of insurance that covers medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages and other related costs resulting from a car accident, regardless of fault. PIP coverage can include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, some funeral expenses, and a portion of lost income if the injured person cannot work due to accident-related injuries.

However, Florida's no-fault system does have a threshold that allows individuals to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for additional damages. The injured party can file a lawsuit if the injuries meet certain criteria, such as significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.

In cases of serious injury following a car accident, navigating the legal complexities can be overwhelming. At The Dellutri Law Group, PA, we stand by you, leveraging our expertise to ensure your rights are protected and tirelessly advocating on your behalf. Our experienced team understands the intricacies of Florida's laws, working diligently to secure the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and the profound impact of the injuries sustained. With us by your side, you can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities with dedication and compassion.

Contact us today at (800) 391-4337 for a free case review for Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, and Personal Injury.