South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
When a driver ignores a red light and slams into another vehicle, the consequences often change lives forever. If your family suffered a devastating loss because someone failed to follow fundamental traffic laws, Florida gives you the right to pursue legal action. You may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death or personal injury claim. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your future and your financial well-being.
A violent crash may cause physical harm, emotional trauma, or even the loss of a loved one. A legal claim cannot undo the damage, but it can hold the at-fault driver accountable and provide the support your family needs to move forward.
Legal Options for Families After a Fatal Crash
Florida law allows close family members to bring a wrongful death claim after a fatal traffic collision. The person responsible does not need to act intentionally. Running a red light, speeding through an intersection, or failing to yield creates a situation where a deadly impact becomes almost inevitable.
If your child, spouse, or parent died in the crash, you may be able to recover money for funeral expenses, emotional suffering, and the loss of support that person provided. Even if the responsible driver faces criminal charges, you still have a separate right to bring a civil case. Your lawyer can help you file that claim and demand full compensation.
When a Child Is Killed in a Traffic Collision
Losing a young child to a careless driver causes grief that few families can describe. The law recognizes that no financial award can replace that life, but it does allow parents to seek compensation for what they have endured. You may be able to recover damages for mental pain, emotional anguish, and the future care and love your child would have given.
A personal injury attorney can work with you to document the full impact of your loss. In some cases, that includes therapy expenses, time missed from work, and changes to your family’s long-term financial plans.
Injuries to Surviving Family Members
Even if some passengers survive the crash, the injuries they suffer can be permanent. If your loved one remains hospitalized or disabled, a personal injury claim may help cover their ongoing care expenses. You may be able to recover the costs of emergency surgery, long-term rehabilitation, in-home medical equipment, or structural modifications to your home.
In addition to medical bills, your claim can include lost income, future loss of earning ability, and the emotional impact of a traumatic injury. Your attorney can guide you through the process and work with doctors and financial experts to understand the full value of the harm done.
How Evidence Helps Prove Your Case
The more evidence you preserve, the stronger your claim will be. Police reports, traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and photographs from the scene all help prove that the other driver broke the law. If the driver ran a red light, drove under the influence, or behaved aggressively, those facts can support a finding of negligence.
Your legal team can also collect medical records, impact statements, and expert evaluations. Each piece of documentation adds weight to your case and increases your chance of a full recovery. Start early so your lawyer has sufficient time to gather the necessary information.
What Insurance Coverage May Apply
Your claim may be paid through the at-fault driver’s bodily injury policy. If that coverage does not fully compensate your family, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy may provide additional assistance. Depending on the details, other sources may also contribute, including umbrella policies or third-party liability coverage.
Understanding these policies takes legal experience. A personal injury attorney can review the available insurance coverage, explain how it works, and fight to secure every dollar you are owed.
Contact a Florida Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
A red-light crash can leave you feeling angry, powerless, and overwhelmed. You do not have to go through this alone. If you lost a child or family member, or if someone in your household now faces a lifetime of medical needs, legal help can make a difference. Contact Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A. at 877-448-8585 today to schedule your free consultation.