Florida’s Turnpike Accident Lawyer in Orlando

Motor Vehicle Accidents on Florida’s Turnpike

Accidents in major roadways such as the Florida Turnpike, one of the state’s most-traveled roadways, are more likely to occur than in secondary roads, and when they do they frequently involve at least one truck or semi-truck and multiple cars. Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, trucks and other big rigs drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles are exposed to the possibility of great injury when a truck accident occurs. Because these accidents tend to happen at hig speed, highway crashes often result in death.

If you or someone you love was involved in an accident on Florida’s Turnpike, we can help. Our experienced team has successfully represented victims of all types of semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle crashes, car accidents, motorcycle wrecks, and other auto accidents occurring on Florida’s Turnpike. We understand the complexities inherent in these types of cases, and we know how to conduct proper investigations to uncover valuable evidence to support your claim.

Choose a legal team with the experience, resources, and skill to effectively litigate your claim; call us at (407) 500-0000 for a free consultation.

What to Do After an Accident on Florida’s Turnpike

If you are involved in a crash with another vehicle, including a large truck or commercial vehicle, on Florida’s Turnpike, there are several things you should do to protect both your safety and your rights.

After an accident on Florida’s Turnpike, you should try to do as many of the following things after the crash as possible:

• Get to Safety:
  If possible, move yourself and/or your vehicle to the shoulder, side of the road, or another place of safety. Highway accidents often leave victims stranded in the path of oncoming vehicles, which can put them at risk of continued danger. If you are seriously injured or otherwise unable to move, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened.
• Call 911:
  You should call 911 and have paramedics/police come out to the scene of the crash. Even in the case of a minor fender-bender, local law enforcement can assist you in getting to safety and position a vehicle to warn oncoming traffic that you are stopped in the road/on the shoulder. If anyone appears gravely injured, they should receive on-scene emergency care and/or be transported to the nearest hospital right away.
• Exchange Information:
  If possible, exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Make sure to give your name, contact information, and insurance information and get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other party/parties. Even if you believe you will be filing a personal injury protection (PIP) claim with your insurance provider, it is important that you get this information from the other driver(s).
• Report the Accident:
  You are required by law to report any accident that results in property damage via an approved form within 10 days of the crash. In Florida, you are required to provide a police report when an accident causes bodily injury, death, or vehicle damage to an extent that renders the vehicle inoperable. You are also required to report any accident involving a hit-and-run or commercial vehicle to local law enforcement in Florida.
• Document the Scene:
  If possible, document the scene of the crash, including the position of the vehicles before they are moved (always prioritize your safety, and never get out of your car or take pictures in the middle of the roadway or where it is unsafe to do so). You should document your property damage and injuries, as well, by taking pictures and/or writing down details. If there were any witnesses, get their name(s), contact information, and a brief statement.
• Seek Medical Attention:
  If you did not receive emergency medical attention at the scene and/or were not transported to a hospital for treatment, see a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. Often, car accident injuries take several hours, days, or even weeks to appear; for your health and safety, you should visit a medical professional immediately after the crash to receive a diagnosis, rule out any underlying injuries, and begin treatment.
• Contact a Personal Injury Attorney:
  Before speaking to the insurance company, whether yours or the other party’s, you should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer who understands Florida accident laws, as well as highway collisions. An attorney can assist you in protecting your rights and filing your personal injury claim. Your attorney will also be able to work directly with the insurance company so that you can focus on healing and getting back on your feet.

Often, these crashes are severe, leading to life-threatening injuries. You may have been unable to take certain actions at the scene of the crash, as you may have been transported to a hospital. If you were unable to obtain the other driver’s information, take pictures of the crash site, or talk to witnesses at the scene, reach out to our car accident attorneys at NeJame Law for assistance. We can take the necessary steps to obtain vital information and evidence in your case.

How Highway Accidents Differ from Other Motor Vehicle Collisions

While any motor vehicle collision can result in significant injuries, property damage, and even fatalities, highway accidents tend to be much more severe than other types of collisions.

In fact, there are several factors that make accidents on Florida’s Turnpike more complex than crashes occurring on local streets and secondary roads:

• High Speeds:
  Simple physics shows that the greater the speed of two colliding objects, the more severe the impact. At highway speeds, motor vehicles are more likely to cause extensive damage than when they collide with other vehicles and objects at lower speeds. As a result, victims of Florida’s Turnpike accidents tend to suffer greater damages—including catastrophic injuries, massive property damage, and more—than those involved in crashes on other roadways throughout the state.
• Multiple Vehicles:
  Accidents on Florida’s Turnpike often involve more than two vehicles, which can make the aftermath all the more complicated. When fault is shared between two or more parties, filing a claim for compensation can be difficult; when fault is disputed, or when an insurance company argues that their policyholder was not to blame for the crash, it is important that you contact an experienced attorney who can help you protect your rights.
• Commercial Vehicles:
  Florida’s Turnpike serves as a major throughway for trucking companies transporting goods, supplies, and other products. As such, accidents along the turnpike often involve semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, big rigs, and other large commercial vehicles. These accidents are much more complex than crashes involving typical automobiles, as issues of fault, negligence, and liability quickly become convoluted.
• Dangerous Conditions:
  In some cases, accidents are partially or even wholly caused by dangerous conditions on Florida’s Turnpike. When unsafe weather or defective roadway design contribute to or cause a crash, who is at fault? Can you still file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries? Often, the answer is yes—but you should seek out an experienced attorney who can help you navigate this process.
• Severe Injuries:
  Accidents on Florida’s Turnpike often result in severe injuries, meaning victims may need to step outside the state’s no-fault car accident system. Your PIP coverage may be insufficient to cover the full cost of your current and future damages, but if your injuries meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold, you could be entitled to bring a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver or another liable party.

At NeJame Law, we understand the nuances involved in Florida’s Turnpike accident claims. Our legal team is here to guide you through the process of seeking the justice and fair compensation you are owed, and we are ready to advocate tirelessly for you.

Filing an Accident Claim After a Crash on Florida’s Turnpike

In Florida, the no-fault car accident system makes it so that most auto accident victims can recover compensation under their own insurance policies. By filing a personal injury protection (PIP) claim, you may be compensated for a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages, as well as other miscellaneous damages, up to your policy’s limits.

However, PIP coverage is often insufficient for those involved in severe highway accidents and crashes involving large commercial vehicles. The minimum PIP coverage in Florida is just $10,000, and none of your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are covered.

The good news is that you can step outside the no-fault system and bring a lawsuit against an at-fault motorist if you can prove the following:

• Your injuries are “severe” and meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold, meaning they involve:
  • Broken bones/fractures
  • “Significant” disfigurement or limitation of a bodily function/system
  • Permanent impairment of a bodily organ or member
  • Significant total disability for at least 90 days
• Someone else was at least partially at fault for the accident
• Your injuries were caused by the other party’s negligent, wrongful, or intentional conduct
• You suffered measurable damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

Going outside the Florida no-fault system can be challenging, but our firm can help. Our Florida’s Turnpike accident attorneys in Orlando provide dedicated legal representation to victims and their loved ones, including the surviving family members of those wrongfully killed. We have extensive experience representing victims of serious motor vehicle collisions along the turnpike and other highways throughout the state.

Get Started with a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was injured in a serious crash on Florida’s Turnpike, I-75, or any other major highway or road in Florida, turn to NeJame Law. We provide client-focused, results-driven representation and are ready to put our extensive experience and resources on your side. There are no attorney fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Call our award-winning legal team for a free consultation at (407) 500-0000 or use our online contact form located at the bottom of the page to submit a free case evaluation form.