Car Accidents

For almost 40 years, Leesfield & Partners has strongly and efficiently represented victims of car accidents. Whether you or your loved one was involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, or a driver under the influence of drugs, by a driver who was on his cell phone, our attorneys' experience and steadfast handling of your case will bring you the best recovery. In Florida, hundreds of thousands of drivers and vehicles are uninsured or under-insured. Our trial lawyer firm have the legal knowledge and reputation that will only aim at your satisfaction and the best legal representation.

What should you do if you are involved in a car accident?

1. The first thing you should do if you are able to move is to make sure you and your passengers (if any) are OK. Move as far off the roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the auto accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights or setting flares.
2. Exchange vital information with other drivers involved in the car accident. Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and witnesses. Ask for the insurance companies and policy numbers for drivers involved in the car accident. Be sure to note makes, models, colors and descriptions of all vehicles involved, and take down the plate numbers, as well.
3. Call the police to report the accident if damage exceeds $500 or if any injuries may be involved. If the damages exceed $500 and/or an injury could be involved, call the police and have them take a report. The majority of accidents require a police report because they seldom involve damages less than $500 and the chances of injury are very high, even if they may not be immediately apparent. Neck and back injuries are notorious for cropping up days and even months after the accident occurred.
4. Photograph the accident scene and make notes of the traffic light color (if applicable). Try to photograph the scene prior to moving the vehicles (only if safe to do so). Be sure to note what color the traffic light was (if applicable). Remember to write everything down immediately or as close to the time of the accident as you can. If you have a smart phone, you can record your own audio statement which will be very helpful to your lawyer during litigation. You should also keep in mind that anything you say to anyone following the accident will be admissible and is not considered hearsay, so it is important that the information you provide is as accurate as possible.
5. Seek medical attention for your injuries as quickly as possible. If treatment is delayed, the other driver may argue that it was not his or her negligent driving that caused your injury, but rather something that occurred between the time of the accident and your visit to the doctor. Get a copy of the police report. They are typically available about 10 business days after the car accident occurred. Review the police report to be sure that it generally coincides with your recollection of the accident. Even if it doesn't you will need it for your claim.

In a dramatic case where our client's vehicle was ran over at a high rate of speed by defendant's vehicle, resulting in permanent brain damage to a 34 year old mother of three minor children, the firm obtained a settlement of $5,300,000.

In another matter, our client was a pedestrian struck by a World Omni Leasing vehicle. Injuries included closed head injuries with diminished intellectual function. The vehicle owner asserted limited liability of $100,000 pursuant to statute. After extensive discovery, lack of compliance with the statute was proven increasing recovery from a $100,000 policy limits to a $2,000,000 award to our client.

More recently, we obtained a $1,400,000 settlement for our client who was injured in a head on collision. In another case were our client sustained orthopedic injuries while a passenger in a rental car driven by a foreign national, our firm obtained a $800,000 settlement. For a complete list of the firm's representative results, go to our Verdicts and Settlements section.

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