Personal injury lawsuits make up many incidents that cause moderate or serious injuries and death. They arise when one party is negligent or willfully hurts another.
Our attorneys understand the impact of a personal injury accident and how it can affect your life.
While some accidents cannot be avoided, knowing some of the most common ones in Florida may help you avoid being a victim.
Car Accidents – 57%
According to information from The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department, there are about 200,000 motor vehicle accidents in Florida each year. That equates to around 650 daily in the state.
With numbers like this, it is clear why motor vehicle accidents are at the top of the list regarding personal injury claims.
Many incidents occur because of distracted drivers. Distractions while behind the wheel can come in many forms, including using your cell phone, grooming, eating, and even talking to passengers. Other causes of motor vehicle accidents include reckless behavior, such as not following the speed limit or stop signs, and intoxication.
Medical Malpractice – 15%
It is estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 Floridians die each year due to medical malpractice. Unfortunately, the state rarely revokes the license of medical practitioners who make medical errors. Because of this, many doctors and surgeons continue practicing medicine, even if their licenses would have been revoked in other states.
When medical errors occur, patients can experience serious injuries and even death. Common types of medical malpractice claims include delayed diagnosis, surgical procedure errors, childbirth-related injuries, and more.
Slips & Falls – 11%
A slip-and-fall accident can occur almost anywhere. This includes at the grocery store, due to wet flooring that was not properly marked or cleaned up, or in a retail location where boxes or other debris are in the walkways.
Slip and fall incidents may also occur on someone else’s property because of a dangerous premise. This means the property owner did not warn that specific areas may be hazardous and cause harm.
Product Liability – 2%
Product liability claims also make up many personal injury claims in Florida. These occur if the seller or manufacturer of a product is responsible for putting something defective that causes harm on the market.
According to Florida law, the manufacturer, distributor, and seller of a product can be held liable if it is found that a product is dangerous.
To prove this type of claim, an accident victim must prove the following:
- An injury or monetary damages occurred after using the product
- The product was manufactured or designed defectively, and those responsible should have been aware of the risks but failed to notify consumers
- The defect is what causes a victim’s injuries
- The product caused the injury while it was being used as intended
Other – 15%
As you can see, 15% of personal injuries fall under the “other” category. Some examples of these include the following:
Animal Attacks
It is estimated there are around seven unprovoked alligator attacks annually in Florida. With millions of gators living in the state, the likelihood of being injured in this type of attack is low, but not zero.
However, other animal attacks can result in personal injury claims, too. Some of the most common claims involve cattle, horses, and black bears. Even dog bite incidents result in animal attack personal injury claims.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect are more common than many people realize. Many facilities are often understaffed, which means overworked employees unintentionally neglect some residents (in some situations). However, cases of abuse and malicious neglect also occur in many facilities.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents are also common in Florida. After all, the great weather is appealing to cyclists of all ages. Unfortunately, bicyclists have minimal protection from vehicles and hitting the ground, often creating the perfect storm for serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Contact Zimmet & Zimmet for Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
You may have the right to file a personal injury claim if you are injured because of someone else’s negligence or fault. We encourage you to contact us at Zimmet & Zimmet to learn more about your rights and legal options.
The first step is to schedule a free initial consultation, which will allow us to learn about your case and situation. At this point, we can develop a strategy to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
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