One Death Per Mile

Central Florida is one of the most visited locations on Earth with over 40 million people traveling to this area each year. This influx of visitors makes for some dangerous roadways. Brevard County has the 2nd (U.S. 1), 3rd (U.S. 192) and 5th (I-95) deadliest roads in the United States. U.S. 192 has the special distinction of not only being the third deadliest road, but having the highest likelihood of death by car accident in Melbourne, Florida. Every mile on U.S. 192 in Melbourne, roughly 1 person dies from serious injury.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, over 250,000 auto accidents occurred in Florida in 2020. These accidents can occur out of nowhere. Regular daily activities can quickly lead to your life being changed. The consequences of a car accident injury can span from a few months of setbacks to an entirely changed life. Car accident lawyers can help you put your life back together and recover from this type of tragedy.

When a party is responsible for causing a car crash, Florida’s legal system allows those who are injured to be compensated for their injuries and property damage. This system is focused on responsibility and holds the individual who caused the accident, and their insurance company, accountable. Getting the compensation you're entitled to for this should be easy, but insurance makes it very difficult. This is where a car accident lawyer can help.

The top insurance companies made over $300,000,000,000 in 2019 by making sure they were paying out claims that were favorable to them. Great car accident lawyers know the tricks of the insurance giants. At Douglas R. Beam P.A. our auto accident attorneys have brought in over $1,000,000,000 in verdicts and settlements. We've helped our clients, on average, receive 3x what they were offered before our firm was hired.

From a minor car accident to a catastrophic injury, if you’ve been in an accident you should speak with a Melbourne, Florida car accident attorney. Do this as quickly as possible. Once your car accident takes place, insurance is measuring your actions and working to ensure they pay you the least amount of money possible for your recovery. If you have been in an auto accident and are curious if your case is a good one, contact us for a free consultation!

Car accidents always take us by surprise. A crash turns our lives upside down and can take a huge toll financially, physically, and emotionally. In the aftermath of the crash, there are specific actions that you can take that will help protect your legal rights. They can also better position you to get back to your old life. The following tips will get you on the track to a speedy recovery.

Get Medical Help 

Ensure that you and anyone else involved in the accident is okay. Check on those in the vehicles and any pedestrians who may have been injured. Give emergency responders detailed information on the crash and any symptoms that you are experiencing. Most people underestimate how bad their injuries are after an accident because of the post-accident adrenaline rush. You may be experiencing significant pain and injuries but not immediately realize it. Get an exam from your doctor and follow all doctors’ orders for treatment. In this case, you’ll heal more quickly, and insurance can't accuse you of failing to take your doctor's advice.‍

Call the Police

Call the police immediately and ask them to write a report on the car crash. Ask the officer for a copy of the report and keep it. Your car accident lawyer will use it to prepare a lawsuit.

Collect Evidence

Gathering evidence is a crucial step. Immediately after a crash, take pictures and videos of your vehicle, the scene, and yourself. Ensure everything is documented. Solid documentation is the basis of a strong case. It is also a good idea to keep all the parts of the vehicle that broke in the crash. Your lawyer will examine these parts and possibly collect critical information about how the crash happened.

Don't Admit Liability

Keep a tight rein on what you say to the other parties involved in the crash, to bystanders, witnesses, and to insurance agents. Don't admit to being the at-fault driver, and don't disclose policy limits. Any admission of fault could leave you without a chance in your lawsuit.

Call an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

We have handled hundreds of car accident cases in the Central Florida area. Our team has the experience and the results. Hiring an attorney with great experience is the best way to ensure that you will be taken care of during your case. Legal representation is important. The right car accident lawyer can make all the difference.

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Be prepared to deal with these injuries after a car accident

Our firm has helped thousands of individuals heal after car accidents. Here are four types of injuries we deal with regularly.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

When an individual is in a car accident and their head is struck, it can change their life forever. Traumatic Brain Injuries can result in a number of complications from death to changed mood to loss of personality. Our brain injury lawyers are experts in these cases, winning upwards of $28.5 Million dollars in a single Traumatic Brain Injury case.

Burns

After an accident, individuals may find that they have burns. This can come from friction that was caused by the accident or fire from the resulting aftermath. In any circumstance, this incredibly serious injury requires sophisticated treatment and a clear understanding of how much one's life is altered. Burns cause a great deal of pain and suffering and treating them can be a major expense. Our Melbourne, Florida car accident attorneys understand these types of injuries and can help build a case for anyone hurt by burns.

Amputation

Certain injuries can result in loss of limb. The amputation of a body part is devastating and requires a full restart for an individual. A lost limb can also result in lost wages and financial burdens on the victim. Our team at Douglas R. Beam P.A. is sensitive to this change and dedicated to helping our clients communicate their needs after an accident.

Minor Injuries

‍Every car accident results in some level of injury. From a minor bruise to a several month setback. It is insurance’s responsibility to take care of the injuries you've sustained. What appears to be small may grow into a larger matter in the future. We have a deep understanding of these types of injuries and are able to help our clients get the assistance they deserve.

Your health is the most important thing. After an accident, make sure you get treated for your injuries. Then contact a Melbourne, Florida car accident lawyer to get the assistance you need.

The types of car crashes that insurance may reference

When speaking with insurance or an attorney, you may hear about these common types of car accidents.

Head-on Collisions

‍When the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another vehicle.

Rear-end Collisions

‍When the front of one vehicle slams into the back of another vehicle.

T-Bone Collisions

‍When the side of a vehicle is struck by the front of another vehicle.

Sideswipe Accidents

‍When one vehicle going in the same direction and speed as another hits the side of another vehicle. This often takes place when a vehicle is changing lanes.

Chain Reaction Crashes

‍When a vehicle that has been struck by another vehicle hits additional vehicles.

Single Vehicle

‍When a single vehicle loses control and gets in an accident.

Regardless of the type of accident, a motor vehicle accident is a life-changing experience. Our team of professionals has experience with each of these accidents and knows how to help those who have been affected.

The main reasons for car crashes

When a car accident happens, one of these five things is likely taking place.

Speeding

We’ve all been guilty of this, but many don't realize the danger we could be in. Those going 10 miles over the speed limit have a 20% higher likelihood of getting in an accident than those who drive safely.

Distracted Driving

Nearly 10% of the deaths on the road last year were caused by distracted driving. Distracted driving is often caused by focusing on a phone but can be impacted by focusing on anything that is not the road.

Alcohol Impairment

Leading all traffic deaths, alcohol impairment makes up 25% of fatalities. Drunk driving is extremely dangerous to the person who has been drinking and to other drivers. If you’re going to get a drink, leave your keys at home.

Driving Fatigue

Slightly under alcohol impairment, driver fatigue makes up 20% of all car crashes. Driver fatigue is often an important factor in truck accidents. If you’re feeling tired, go home and rest.

Car Defects

One of the most tragic types of accidents is caused by car defects. Individuals can be doing everything right but have a vehicle malfunction that causes harm or injury. In these circumstances, car accident attorneys can be helpful in evaluating if a lawsuit ought to be brought against the individual or manufacturer responsible for the defect.

When individuals choose to live recklessly, others have to bear the consequences. If you or a loved one have suffered serious injury due to a car accident, our team is ready to help today. Call us at (321) 723-6591.

When a friend calls us and is looking for an attorney, we always tell them to check for these three things.

Know Their Results

Find a car accident lawyer who has a history of winning cases like yours. These attorneys will understand your type of car crash, your injuries and the impact of the auto accident on your life. Additionally, the right attorney will understand your medical needs and the impact of the collision on your personal and work life.

Contingency Fee Only

Good car accident attorneys bet on themselves. The way they do that is through contingency fees. All that means is that you don’t pay any money up front. The lawyer then receives a percentage of the settlement or verdict after a successful result was obtained. Standard contingency fees are 33.33% of whatever insurance rewards.

They Go to Trial

‍Great law firms are ready and willing to go to trial, yet the majority of cases in the best law firms settle. Why? Because insurance is terrified of going to court against great attorneys. Trials are expensive and time-consuming. Insurance companies fear attorneys that have the resources, experience and knowledge to beat them soundly in court.

In a perfect world, when a crash happens, we should be able to trust our insurance company to put our lives back together. Unfortunately, most insurance firms make their money by limiting how much they pay out in claims and settlements, including to victims of car accidents. When a car accident attorney represents a car crash victim, the car accident lawyer knows how to deal with insurance companies so that they fulfill their obligations. The personal injury lawyers at Douglas R. Beam P.A. can evaluate your car accident case during the initial consultation. We can map out a plan that details the medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other monetary damages you are owed as a result of the crash.