DeLand Car Accident Lawyers

With its combination of tourists, locals, and commuters, DeLand can present a difficult driving environment for those on the road. Even if you are the safest driver out there, someone else’s negligent actions can cause a crash, resulting in you and your passengers being injured. When this happens, you need auto accident attorneys who understand the local landscape. 

At Chubb Law, our Florida personal injury lawyers understand the local court system, law enforcement agencies, and even our local insurance adjusters. We have the resources and experience necessary to negotiate with insurance companies and take your case to court if necessary. Take your first steps toward recovery today and consult with one of our DeLand car accident lawyers.

What You Need to Know About DeLand Car Accidents

As a thoroughfare from Daytona Beach to Orlando, DeLand, and Volusia County in general represents a unique driving environment, combining local and out-of-state drivers and raising the risk of traffic fatalities. High-traffic roads that run through or near DeLand include US-17, State Road 44, and Interstate 4, which is notorious for accidents. Common causes of accidents in the area include:

• Distracted Driving: Texting and using cell phones, GPS, or even passing scenery can cause dangerous rear-end collisions and sideswipe accidents.
• Lost or Confused Drivers: Out-of-state drivers may be unfamiliar with the local road layout, leading to sudden lane changes or missed turns.
• Impaired Driving: As a lively area with popular destinations, alcohol and drug-related incidents can be a common factor in many accidents.
• Aggressive Driving: Speeding and reckless lane changes are frequent on busy highways like I-4 and US-17.
• Construction Work Zones: Ongoing and seemingly constant development and road work can cause confusing traffic patterns, narrow lanes, and unexpected road debris, raising the risk of collisions.
• Poor Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads, potholes and sinkholes, and a lack of proper signage and infrastructure can create high-risk areas on more rural roads in Volusia County.
• Failure to Yield and Unsafe Lane Changes: Drivers who do not check their mirrors properly, fail to merge safely, causing unexpected swerving and leading to dangerous T-bone accidents and sideswipes.
• Drowsy Driving: Long-haul trucking is common across the state of Florida, and long stretches of highway in and around DeLand can contribute to drowsy driving among fatigued drivers. 
• Inclement Weather: Florida’s unexpected downpours and hurricane conditions can turn a routine commute into a high-risk scenario. Wet roads and low visibility combine, leading to hydroplaning and multi-car pileups.

Whatever the reason for your car accident, if someone else’s negligence contributed to you becoming injured, you may have the right to pursue a claim. Consulting with a DeLand auto accident law firm can help you understand your rights in our no-fault insurance state, along with what level of serious injury may allow you to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Car Accident Statistics in Volusia County

Volusia County is not only a major tourist and commuter hub but also one of the most dangerous counties in the United States for traffic fatalities. According to the Florida Traffic Crash Stats, the area has a rate of 11.19 deaths per 10,000 people. This rate far exceeds the national average of 12 deaths per 100,000 people, as reported by the National Safety Council’s Motor-Vehicle Fatality Trends Report.

A significant majority of these deadly crashes are concentrated on high-traffic roads like U.S. Highway 1, International Speedway Boulevard, and Dunlawton Avenue. These statistics represent a real danger that visitors and residents face on our roads daily. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s actions, you need an experienced DeLand car accident attorney on your side to uphold your legal rights to pursue accident compensation.

What To Do After a Crash to Protect Car Accident Claims

In the moments following a car accident, your actions have a significant impact on your health and your legal claim. The steps you take at the scene and in the days that follow are critical to protect your legal rights. First, prioritize seeking medical attention if there is any chance of injury. Even if you feel okay, report the accident to local authorities immediately, as this will establish a record of the events.

When exchanging information with the other driver involved, be polite but firm. You are not there to make friends. Do not apologize, say sorry, or admit any level of fault, even if you think you share in some of the blame. These statements can be used against you later to deny or reduce your compensation. Further document the scene, using your phone to take photos and videos of all vehicles involved, any damage, skid marks, debris, road hazards, traffic signs or lights, and your own injuries if any are visible.

After you are able to leave the scene, be sure to seek prompt medical attention. Some injuries like whiplash, concussions, broken ribs, and seat belt syndrome may not be immediately obvious due to adrenaline. Prompt medical attention makes sure everything is officially documented and linked directly to your accident, legally protecting your accident claim. After you are safe and medically evaluated, consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company or accept any settlement offer. Our experienced DeLand auto accident attorneys will help protect you from common insurance company tactics, manage all communications on your behalf, and keep you legally protected to meet any deadlines for your case.

Building a Strong Case for Your Car Accident

Our DeLand auto accident lawyers have turned insurance settlement offers of $0 into final payouts over $1 million. This means if an insurance company has already presented a settlement offer at the time of your hiring of our car accident law firm, we guarantee to secure an increased offer for you, or our legal fees will be waived.

Statute of Limitations in Florida Car Accidents

In early 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations for car accidents was shortened to two years from the date the accident or injury occurred. Seek legal advice as soon as you can to protect your right to accident compensation. If you miss this two-year deadline, you may be barred from seeking any compensation for your injuries and losses in the future.

How Florida-Specific Laws Affect Car Accident Claims

Florida is managed under a no-fault insurance system, requiring drivers to cover their accident damages, no matter who is at fault. 

How Does PIP Insurance Affect My Claim?

Drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance of a minimum $10,000. This is designed to help you get prompt medical attention and compensate you for injuries after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. PIP covers 80% of “reasonable” medical bills and 60% of lost pay if you had to miss work due to your injuries.

To be eligible to receive PIP benefits, you must seek medical care for your injuries within 14 days of your accident. If your injuries are serious enough that they exceed the $10,000 coverage, you may be able to step outside of the no-fault system to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. To do this, your injuries must meet the specific serious injury threshold under Florida Law.

What Is the Serious Injury Threshold in Florida?

Florida law defines serious injury as an injury resulting in one of the following conditions:

• Permanent and significant loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you may be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver for damages above your PIP insurance coverage. These damages can include resulting medical expenses, pain and suffering, 100% of lost pay, loss of enjoyment in life, and emotional trauma. Speaking with one of the DeLand car accident attorneys from Chubb Law can help you understand if your injuries qualify and, if so, work to increase your settlement value.

Establishing Negligence and Liability in Volusia Car Accident Cases

Florida allows injured parties to pursue accident claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance companies in certain situations. To do so, you must first prove that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident and that your injuries meet the serious injury threshold. Every driver on the road has a legal duty of care to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. When a car accident occurs because a driver breaches this duty, for instance, by being distracted or speeding, it is considered an act of negligence.

Your car accident lawyer can help you gather evidence to establish a case against the at-fault driver, including accident scene photos and videos, witness testimony, documentation, local police reports, and statements from accident reconstruction experts. They will also help calculate the losses you sustained as part of the claim, and how much compensation you should get from the liable party. This will include tangible, financial losses and intangible non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Our DeLand Auto Accident Attorney Helps with Comparative Negligence and Shared Fault

If you did anything to contribute to your accident, this may affect the amount of damages you are able to claim. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning that your compensation may be reduced based on the percentage of fault you are determined to share. For example, if you are judged as 10% at fault for the accident due to a headlight being out and reducing your visibility, your total award will be reduced by that same percentage.

Working with a local DeLand car accident law firm may help you maximize the amount of compensation you are awarded. Our auto accident lawyer will work to find evidence to limit your fault and make sure the negligent driver is held accountable.

Looking for DeLand Auto Accident Firms to Represent You? Discover the Chubb Law Difference

Dealing with insurance after another person’s negligence causes you to be injured can feel like a joke. The system may feel stacked against you, with insurance adjusters protecting their bottom lines instead of helping you get the compensation you are rightfully owed. You need an advocate to come alongside you that you can trust, not just faceless car accident law firms that see you as another number. At Chubb Law, we believe you deserve the resources of a big auto accident law firm with small-firm attention. 

As a recognized Super Lawyer, Rising Star, and Million Dollar Advocate, our experience speaks for itself, and our commitment to our clients is what truly sets our car accident lawyers apart. No matter your case size or potential compensation, we want to know your story and treat you like family, not just a case file. At Chubb Law, we have a 99.9% success rate, having recovered more than 30 million dollars in settlements and awards for our clients. But do not just take our word for it. Read our case results and client testimonials from people just like you.

Unlike some DeLand car accident law firms that represent injury victims from national offices, we are deeply rooted in our community and know how to represent Floridians. Our founding attorney, Mitch Chubb, is a Central Florida native who grew up inspired to help people recover after traumatic injuries disrupted their everyday lives. We spend our time investing in and serving our community, supporting specific initiatives that raise awareness and provide resources for local nonprofits in DeLand and the surrounding areas. Learn more about our car accident attorneys and how our auto accident lawyers help people just like you get back to everyday life after a car accident.

Looking for Local Auto Accident Law Firms? Contact a DeLand Auto Accident Lawyer from Chubb Law Today

We value our clients’ time and try to make the process of pursuing your accident compensation as easy as possible for you. Whether it is easier to call, text, video chat, or meet in person, our auto accident attorney will use all available technology to meet you when and where you are able. Starting with your free initial case review, we want to hear your full story so we can represent your case to the best of our abilities. 

Do not delay in getting started. Contact a DeLand car accident lawyer today to set up your initial consultation. We are ready to help you pursue justice for your Volusia County car accident.