With its rural highways, drivers in Okeechobee must exercise extra caution. High-speed limits and low lighting at night pose increased risks for accidents to happen. Additionally, tropical storms can bring heavy rain and flooding which reduces visibility of the road and surrounding area. And the unpredictability of out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with the local roadways can make Okeechobee a dangerous place to drive. After an accident, consulting an Okeechobee car accident lawyer can provide essential legal guidance and support.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 712 car accidents in Okeechobee County in 2023. These crashes resulted in 10 deaths and 533 injuries, and 402 property damages.
If you live in Okeechobee and sustained injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation beyond your insurance coverage. Your recovery process may feel intimidating and time-consuming. To make matters worse, dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal system is a confusing ordeal.
Call an Okeechobee car accident lawyer to eliminate the stress associated with your recovery. Hiring a skilled auto accident lawyer like Steinger, Greene & Feiner ensures that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Okeechobee
Steinger, Greene & Feiner have over 20 years of experience representing auto accident victims in Okeechobee County. Our team of auto accident attorneys has handled cases resulting from every category of car accident. While we would be honored to handle your case, we prefer that our potential clients remain safe on the roads. Understanding how accidents are caused is the best way to prevent them from happening.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents are:
- Rear-end Collisions: Rear-end collisions can be caused by distracted drivers who fail to stop due to being unfamiliar with local roads and focusing on their phones for directions instead of the road. Based on the point of impact, these types of collisions can result in head, back, and neck injuries. They can be temporary or permanent, so it is imperative to seek medical care immediately following a rear-end collision.
- Head-on Collisions: Perhaps you’re driving at night on a rural highway with a lack of lighting, and an oncoming car neglects to turn its headlights on. You might not see it and it may swerve suddenly, entering your lane and causing a head-on collision. These types of collisions may lead to facial, head, neck, and shoulder injuries which may also be temporary or permanent. Permanent injuries can cause emotional stress or recurring pain and suffering which may affect the quality of life for some.
- T-Bone, or Side Collision: Depending on the speed, an impact to the side of your vehicle can cause injury to the lower back or lower limbs. This type of collision could be caused by someone blowing a stop light or running an intersection because they’re late for work.
- Parked Car Accidents: Just because your vehicle isn’t moving doesn’t mean you can’t fall victim to a car accident. You may be parked and get struck by another driver who doesn’t see you in their blind spot. Depending on the speed of that other vehicle, the accident may result in an injury.
- High-Speed Accidents: High-speed accidents usually happen on highways, often at night. They usually result in more severe damage to both the body and the vehicle.
- Drunk Driving Accidents, DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dulls the senses, slowing reaction times and impairing decision-making. Intoxicated drivers pose a higher risk of being involved with or involving others in motor vehicle accidents. Highway drunk driving accidents can be fatal and involve multiple cars.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents in Okeechobee
Car accidents on Okeechobee’s rural highways can lead to a range of serious injuries, each affecting victims’ lives in unique ways. The types of injuries sustained—whether physical or psychological—play a crucial role in determining compensation claims. Let’s look at the common injuries accident victims may face:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and other head trauma can lead to cognitive issues and long-term rehabilitation, with compensation covering medical and wage losses.
- Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash and spinal injuries are common in high-speed crashes, causing chronic pain and mobility restrictions. Compensation often covers extensive treatment costs and income loss.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact of a crash can break bones in the arms, legs, or ribs, often requiring surgery and physical therapy. Compensation should reflect ongoing treatments and time away from work.
- Soft Tissue and Internal Injuries: Torn ligaments, muscle damage, and internal injuries from blunt trauma can severely impact mobility and daily life, warranting compensation for medical expenses and long-term effects.
- Emotional and Psychological Injuries: Anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health effects can arise post-accident, impacting overall well-being. Florida law allows compensation for these non-economic damages.
Each injury has its own legal implications for compensation, and a knowledgeable car crash lawyer can guide you in pursuing the maximum recovery for your unique situation. With the right support, you can focus on healing while securing the resources necessary to rebuild your life.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Okeechobee
No matter what, safety should be your first priority immediately following a car accident in Okeechobee. Obtain medical attention right away – no matter how insignificant you think your injuries might be. Receiving prompt treatment not only keeps you safe, but it also creates a documentation trail which may later come in handy when supporting your case.
Once you’ve received all necessary medical care and regained composure, communicate with the other drivers involved to obtain their contact and insurance information. During this exchange, do not admit fault at the scene of the accident. You should also report the accident to your insurance company, but avoid giving a recorded statement until you’ve consulted with an auto accident lawyer in Okeechobee. Insurance companies will take anything you say to try to minimize payouts, so speaking with an experienced auto accident attorney first will help secure maximum compensation.
To strengthen your case, we advise you to provide proof of damages by thoroughly documenting the scene of the accident for legal purposes. Using the technology on your cell phone, capture vehicle damage and eyewitness accounts. If you can, take photos and videos of any injuries sustained.
You should also contact the Okeechobee Police Department to file a report. Like any medical attention you may have received, a police report will document your damage, further supporting your case.
Avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your lawyer – and never post about it on social media. Your attorney-client relationship is confidential, and everything you discuss will remain private. On the other hand, anything you say or post publicly can and will be used against you by the opposing counsel to diminish your case.
An experienced Okeechobee personal injury lawyer understands these dynamics and will fight justly for a fair settlement. If needed, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court where we’re confident we’ll win.
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Know Your Compensation Rights
If your injury leaves you with medical and other expenses beyond the scope of PIP, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover your losses. Generally, these damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages pertain to compensation for the real money you lost, such as:
- Medical expenses above $10,000
- Lost wages above $10,000
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Additionally, your lawsuit may help you recover compensation for non-economic damages you suffered. These are losses that have nothing to do with tangible money. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional pain or distress
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
The compassionate team of auto accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner will make sure that you receive maximum benefits and compensation in these situations. They understand how to navigate stressful and complex legal situations on your behalf.
You have rights. As car accident attorneys, it is our job to fight for them.
The Legal Process of a Car Accident Claim
Statute of Limitations
As of March 24, 2023, Florida reduced the time limit for filing personal injury claims from four years to two. This shortened window means that if you’ve been injured in a car accident, swift action is crucial to preserve your right to seek compensation.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance
Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, covering up to $10,000 in medical costs regardless of fault. However, if your injuries are severe—resulting in permanent impairment or significant loss of function—you may go beyond PIP and pursue a claim against the responsible driver. This can provide compensation not only for medical bills but also for lost wages and property repair costs, essential for a complete recovery.
Comparative Negligence and Fault
Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule means that if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot receive compensation. If you’re less than 51% responsible, your compensation is reduced accordingly. To ensure you are not unfairly assigned blame, seek guidance from a local attorney familiar with Okeechobee’s roadways and accident patterns.
Insurance adjusters often reach out shortly after an accident, aiming to reduce payouts. Avoid giving a recorded statement until you consult with your attorney, as insurers may use your words to minimize your compensation. Instead, focus on documenting your injuries and the accident scene thoroughly with photos and videos, creating strong evidence for your car accident case.
The Legal Process of a Car Accident Claim
Accident victims in Okeechobee are bound to strict statutes of limitations which control the amount of time they have to file lawsuits. Neglecting to take action prevents injury victims from having their day in court. As experienced Okeechobee car accident lawyers, we understand the nuanced statute of limitations in the state of Florida – which can vary depending on the claim type, the vehicle type, or the vehicle owner.
To reach a successful verdict in the courtroom, victims and their attorneys rely on evidence to support their claims. This is known as the burden of proof. Obtaining experienced legal representation in court lifts some of this burden off your shoulders. Car accident attorneys like Steinger, Greene & Feiner will help you gather and present the evidence needed to prove your case and maximize the compensation you’re owed.
Choosing the Right Car Accident Lawyer
Our client testimonials speak for themselves!
Steinger, Greene & Feiner is your best choice for a knowledgeable and compassionate car accident attorney in Okeechobee. We blend experience with success to achieve results for our clients. Our team of dedicated auto collision lawyers has a combined track record of 10 decades.
While every case is unique, our combined legal representation has resulted in billions of dollars of compensation for our clients including:
- $13,000,000 Won for our client after being struck by a motorist while riding a bicycle
- $11,500,000 Car-crash fatality resulted in this settlement in favor of the victim’s family
- $10,000,000 Wrongful death after a vehicle collision resulted in this seven-figure settlement
- $5,900,000 Won for our client who suffered nerve injuries in a car wreck
- $2,300,000 Verdict rendered after a bicyclist was hit by a company vehicle
- $2,250,000 Defendant settled after our client had several surgeries following an automobile collision
- $2,200,000 Car crash caused back and neck injuries to our client, who agreed to this settlement offer
- $1,900,000 Jury awarded damages to a client who endured herniated discs following a car crash
- $875,000 Verdict rendered after our client suffered a bone fracture in a car crash
- $330,000 Jury awarded this amount to a client who required cervical fusion following a car wreck
- $244,000 Verdict worth almost 10 times as much as the original settlement offer to a client who was hit from behind in a vehicle collision
Frequently Asked Questions
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Okeechobee
If you’ve been in an auto wreck, you shouldn’t have to worry about navigating Florida’s legal system. Your focus should be on your recovery. The experienced car accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner will make sure this happens. The sooner you consult legal experts following a car accident in Okeechobee, the sooner you’ll receive reimbursement for your losses.
Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (863) 532-4079 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with a car accident attorney in Okeechobee today. You may also visit us at our law firm offices: 103 NW 5th St, Suite 103, Okeechobee, FL 34972.