Boynton Beach car accident lawyers

Published on: January 10, 2018

Deadly Auto Accidents in South Florida

When a fatal Florida car accident occurs, there will be additional types of damages apart from what is typically awarded in other cases. Fatal crash claims are still generally filed under a theory of negligence, but there can also be a wrongful death component which allows for additional damages. In our state, there is a specific wrongful death act that is governed under Section 768.16 and the several sections that follow of Chapter 768 of the Florida Statutes. One of the more important components of the Wrongful Death Act that provides for the ability to file such an action can be found in Section 768.19.

Specifically, Section 768.19 provides that if a person could otherwise bring a negligence case against a person under the laws in Florida, and the alleged negligent act resulted in a death, the plaintiff may bring a wrongful death action. Continue reading →

Published on: May 28, 2017

Man Arrested After Allegedly Swimming Away from Car Accident

By Dean Freeman

Anyone familiar with West Palm Beach or other South Florida cities knows what a canal is. These are man-made drainage trenches controlled by Utilities and Drainage Districts, and they are there to alleviate flood risks and also for irrigation. They are often fenced-off and are known for being home to alligators. From time to time, we see car accidents in which a vehicle ends up in the one of the canals, which often results in serious personal injury or even death.

According to a recent news article from the Palm Beach Post, a 26-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly crashed his car in to a canal in West Palm Beach and swam across the canal to flee the accident. The car was submerged in deep water in this canal at the time, and there was a female passenger still trapped inside. Continue reading →

Published on: March 10, 2015

Hilyer v. Fortier – $550k Teen Car Accident Injury Judgment Reversed

By Dean Freeman

Plaintiffs in a teen car accident injury case will have to prepare for trial, after the Alabama Supreme Court reversed a default judgment against defendant.

In most cases, default judgments are not preferred in injury cases. Whereas a summary judgment may be granted prior to trial as a matter of law, default judgments are granted typically when a defendant(s) fails to timely respond to a complaint or appear in court.

Default judgments are often overturned if a defendant can show good cause why he or she did not respond/appear in court. In the case of Hilyer v. Fortier, the issue came down to a misunderstanding between the defendant and two insurance agents – each of whom though the other was handling the claim and civil defense in the case.

Continue reading →