The Pelham Law Firm 2025-03-31T12:58:20Z https://www.pelhamlawblog.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1203910/2024/04/cropped-pelham-site-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of The Pelham Law Firm <![CDATA[What kind of compensation can I get after a car crash in Florida?]]> https://www.pelhamlawblog.com/?p=46399 2024-07-29T18:12:19Z 2024-07-17T18:11:31Z Economic damages If someone relies solely on car insurance to pay for crash costs, typically they only receive compensation for economic damages. Economic damages are also a main contributing element to any personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Economic damages include any provable financial losses caused by the collision. Medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential and property damage losses are all forms of economic damages. While there is an expectation that people should use their no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, the driver at fault may be responsible for any amount not covered by the other motorist's policy.

Non-economic damages

There are forms of harm that are not purely financial. For example, someone coping with chronic pain caused by a crash may experience mental health issues. Their relationships may suffer because of the injuries they incurred and their experience during the crash. In scenarios where people lose loved ones, non-economic damages might include the loss of companionship and support that they otherwise should have received from their deceased loved one.

Punitive damages

Punitive damages don't technically connect to the suffering or economic harm of the other party. Instead, punitive damages are a form of punishment. The courts only award such damages in cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence. They are relatively rare, as they require a higher degree of proof than other damages thought in a car crash lawsuit. Additionally, the state imposes a cap on punitive damages. In most cases, the most that someone can receive is either $500,000 or three times the economic damages awarded by the court. Particularly in cases where a car crash has long-term consequences for the people involved, a lawsuit might be the only way to truly address the harm caused. Learning more about the compensation available after a collision can help people pursue economic justice following a wreck caused by another party.]]> On Behalf of The Pelham Law Firm <![CDATA[Tallahassee bicyclists and pedestrians are at high risk of injury]]> https://www.pelhamlawblog.com/?p=46398 2024-05-15T14:56:52Z 2024-05-15T14:56:52Z Tallahassee sees many preventable crashes Any place with a high number of people walking and biking could have a higher-than-average incidence of pedestrian and cyclist crashes. The greater Tallahassee area seems to have a particularly high degree of risk, especially when looking at the last few years. A recent study looking at Florida traffic fatalities found that Leon County had the third-highest number of pedestrian crashes out of 67 counties. A shocking 52 cyclists and pedestrians have died in Leon County since 2020, and action is needed to prevent that trend from continuing. There are plans in the works to make some changes to the roadways in Leon County. Plans for safety improvements include widening sidewalks and installing barriers to protect bike lanes. The rollout of those proposed changes is already underway, and there are dozens of others under consideration by local planners and policymakers. In the meantime, the collisions continue. Unfortunately, pedestrian and cyclist crashes have a high chance of causing serious injury or death. They can also easily be more expensive than people anticipate. Standard car insurance does not provide adequate coverage for the losses potentially caused by a pedestrian or cyclist crash. Filing a civil lawsuit may be the only way for surviving family members or those injured in a pedestrian or cyclist crash to recover their losses. Those who take timely action can potentially offset the losses related to a crash caused by a negligent party. While this effort cannot undo harm caused, it can address it in potentially meaningful ways.]]>