According to auto accident statistics, every 12 minutes in the U.S. a person will die in an auto accident. Auto accident statistics show that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans 35 years of age and younger.

Unfortunately, nearly everyone who drives will be in an auto accident at some point. And nearly everyone will suffer an injury as a result of an auto accident. Most of our clients are shocked to learn that Florida drivers are not required to insure against their own negligence. As a result, the majority of Florida drivers are uninsured with respect to helping the people they injure. Without uninsured motorists insurance (self insurance) most injured drivers would be out of luck.

At Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay, we have years of experience helping individuals in North Florida and South Georgia after being involved in an auto accident. If you have been in an auto accident, you need to contact the car accident attorneys who can help you get the compensation you deserve! We specialize in car accident cases and helping you navigate the stress that being involved in an auto accidents brings. Even if you don’t think you have a claim or have been injured, don’t assume the insurance company will represent your best interest!

But just because the negligent person has insurance, or you have your own insurance, don’t think you won’t need a personal injury auto accident lawyer. Insurance companies make money by collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible after a claim. Insurance companies are a pure business.

They are not concerned about fairness. They are concerned about minimizing payouts. After an auto accident insurance companies will hire investigators, accident re-constructionists and lawyers. Worse, insurance companies, unlike lawyers, can immediately contact injured auto accident victims to try and cheaply settle any potential auto accident claim. And not just the at-fault insurance company. Your own insurance company will try the same thing! Once you sign an auto accident release, you can not bring any other claim!

Hit & Run Accident: If another driver causes an accident and then flees the scene immediately or only stays for a short period of time before fulfilling the basic legal requirements set forth by Florida law, you could be the victim of a “hit and run” accident. Under Florida law, a driver MUST stop immediately at the scene of a crash on public or private property which results in property damage, injury, or death. As a hit and run victim, you are in very precarious position of determining how to cover the cost of injuries, property damage, and what role does insurance play. We can help. Call the Florida car accident attorneys Fonvielle Lewis Messer McConnaughhay! Our experienced hit and run attorneys will thoroughly investigate your situation and determine your best next steps.

Distracted Driving: Driving while distracted can be deadly! Thousand of people each year are killed by drivers who are distracted while driving. Drivers can succumb to visual, manual, or cognitive distractions. Texting is so dangerous because it fulfills all three forms of distractions – it take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the task of driving. The state of Florida has banned texting while driving, also known as The Wireless Communications While Driving Law, section 316.305, Florida Statutes, which took effect on July 1, 2019. This law requires drivers put down their phone and focus on driving. Unfortunately, this law is broken everyday. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, contact one of our experienced distracted driver attorneys today!

Drunk Driver: Drinking and driving, especially in city with a large population of college-aged students, such as Tallahassee, can pose a serious threat. According to Florida Dept of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, overconsumption is common place in our city and state resulting in 5,232 alcohol vehicle related accidents, 3,052 injuries, and 406 fatalities in Florida for 2022. We know how devastating the kinds of accidents can be and our expert car accident attorneys are standing by to represent you in holding those responsible for driving under the influence of alcohol.

RideShare: Were you in a rideshare accident? If so, determining who is at fault in a rideshare accident can be difficult due to the number of parties involved. The liable party could be the rideshare driver, another motorist, or even the rideshare company itself under certain circumstances. In addition, the multi-layered insurance structure and liability complicates the process. Major corporations like Uber and Lyft have large legal teams that will be fighting you every step of the way. That’s why you need experienced, knowledgeable attorneys that will help you navigate the law surrounding rideshare accident claims. Sometimes, even the drivers of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft sometimes need our help with their insurance or with the insurance companies coverage. Call the rideshare experts before calling or signing any documents from ANY rideshare company.

• Contact Emergency Services: Health and safety should be the number one priority after any accident. Calling 911 allows you to report the accident and request medical assistance. Even if an accident is minor, reporting it to the police provides valuable information that could help potential law suits. Law enforcement will make a determination on who is at fault, interview witnesses, and write a thorough report about the details of a crash.

• Remain at the scene: Leaving the scene of an accident is referred to as a hit-and-run and is a serious crime- especially if injury or death occurred. Ensure you stay at the scene until law enforcement says you are free to go to avoid potential fines or even jail time.

• Document the Scene: After an accident it is important to take detailed pictures and videos of the scene. Make sure to capture both property damage and physical injuries. While a description of the accident or a police report is helpful- photos will show a jury just how damaging an accident truly was. Photos can also help prove negligence, or fault. For example, if a crash occurred at night due to inoperable headlights having a photo will help prove our case.

• Exchange Information: Get the other drivers details including insurance information, first and last name, phone numbers, driver’s license, and license plate. This is important information your personal injury attorney and car insurance provider will need to know.

• Contact your Insurance Provider: Talk to your insurance company after the accident regardless of whether you intend to seek compensation. In most states, insurance companies require you to report accidents as soon as they occur. Do not trust an at fault driver to privately pay for any medical bills or vehicle repairs.

• Seek Medical Treatment: If in the days after an accident you experience pain or discomfort, seek medical treatment to rule out more serious injuries. In most cases, you ONLY have 14 days after an accident to seek treatment and then claim damages. DON’T WAIT!

• Call Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhy: After being injured in an accident contact the law offices of Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay for a free consultation. We will pair you with one of our amazing paralegals who can offer advice and help an attorney evaluate your case. Hire the car accident experts. When it comes to auto accidents in Florida or Georgia, nobody will fight harder for you than Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay…Personal Injury Law is ALL WE DO!

2022 marks the first decrease in deaths since 2019. Deaths decreased 2% in 2022 following an 11% increase in 2021 and an 8% increase in 2020. In 2022, 46,027 people died in motor-vehicle crashes compared to 46,980 in 2021 and 42,338 in 2020.

Between 1913 and 2022 motor-vehicle deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles decreased 95%, from 33 to 1.50, respectively. In 1913, only 1.3 million vehicles were registered, and 4,200 people died on the road. In 2022, 283 million vehicles were registered, and 46,027 people died on the road.

In 2022 (compared to 2021), miles traveled increased 1.8%, the number of registered vehicles increased 0.4%, and the population grew 0.4%. As a result, the mileage death rate decreased 3.6%, the vehicle death rate decreased 2.0%, and the population death rate decreased 2.8%.

Medically consulted injuries in motor-vehicle incidents totaled 5.2 million in 2022, and total motor-vehicle injury costs were estimated at $481.2 billion. Costs include wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, motor-vehicle property damage, and employer costs.

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/introduction/

When it comes to auto accidents, Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay, has the experience, knowledge, and expertise to represent you in an auto accident personal injury claim. We have represented thousands of victims in Florida and Georgia and are dedicated to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve.