Another driver hits you, and suddenly you’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and questions no one prepares you for. What do you do next?
If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, a trusted Jacksonville car accident lawyer can step in and protect your rights from the very start.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we handle the legal fight so you don’t have to. We take on the insurance companies, pursue the compensation you deserve, and guide you through every step.
✔ No fees unless you win
✔ Free consultation in minutes
✔ Local attorneys who know Duval County
Call today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened and what options you have moving forward.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Jacksonville
A car accident can leave you shaken, hurt, and unsure of what to do next. In the chaos that follows, it’s easy to miss important steps that could protect your health and your rights.
That’s why we put this guide together. If you’ve been in a crash in Jacksonville, these simple steps can help you stay safe, avoid costly mistakes, and put you in a stronger position moving forward.
- Ensure Safety: Check yourself for injuries, then check on others involved in the accident.
- Call Emergency Services: Dial 9-1-1 if immediate medical attention is needed.
- Notify the Police: Report the accident to the police. If they don’t respond, file an accident report through the local DMV.
- Relocate Your Vehicle: Move your car to a safe spot, like the shoulder of the highway or a nearby parking lot, to avoid obstructing traffic.
- Exchange Information: Share names, phone numbers, vehicle details, and insurance information with other drivers involved.
- Seek Medical Care: Even without visible injuries, get checked by a doctor for potential internal injuries. Save medical records for evidence.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurer, even if you’re not at fault, as part of the claims process.
- Speak With an Adjuster: Cooperate with the insurance adjuster, answering questions honestly but without admitting fault or oversharing details.
- Seek Legal Expertise: Consult a skilled personal injury attorney to protect your rights and guide you through the claims process for fair compensation. An experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney will help you navigate the complexities of your case and get the justice you deserve.
Once the immediate aftermath is under control, understanding what caused the accident becomes an important part of determining fault and protecting your right to compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Jacksonville
Car crashes are a serious issue in Jacksonville. The data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows 23,013 crashes, resulting in 15,480 injuries and 153 fatalities, across 149 fatal crashes in 2024. These numbers highlight just how quickly a routine drive can turn into a life-altering event.
Many of these crashes stem from preventable causes. In most cases, accidents happen because of the following common reasons.
- Distracted Driving: A major contributor, often involving phone use, eating, or adjusting in-car systems. Distracted drivers pose a serious risk, especially on congested highways like I-295 and I-95.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction times, leading to preventable accidents and fatalities. DUI-related crashes are a persistent issue across Duval County.
- Unlicensed or Inexperienced Drivers: Operating without a valid driver’s license or adequate experience increases the likelihood of mistakes, especially in complex traffic conditions.
- Failure to Yield: Common at Jacksonville’s dangerous intersections, such as Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle, failure to yield leads to high-impact collisions.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: High-speed crashes on highways and aggressive maneuvers on urban roads result in devastating injuries.
- Road Rage or Aggressive Driving: Escalating conflicts on the road often end in collisions.
- Mechanical Failures: Poorly maintained vehicles with defective brakes, tires, or other critical components frequently contribute to accidents.
- Hazardous Road Conditions: Defective infrastructure or poorly maintained roadways, particularly in areas like Atlantic Boulevard, create additional dangers for drivers.
Identifying what caused a crash and whether another driver’s negligence played a role is a critical step in determining fault and pursuing compensation
Common Car Accident Types in Jacksonville
Car accidents in Jacksonville come in many forms, each presenting unique legal and financial challenges:
- Rear-End Collisions: Common in congested areas like I-295 and Blanding Boulevard, often caused by distracted or aggressive drivers. These crashes frequently lead to disputes over fault.
- Intersection Accidents: Frequently occur at busy junctions such as Atlantic Boulevard and Southside Boulevard, often involving failure to yield or running red lights, resulting in severe side-impact collisions.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Occur on highways like I-10 and I-95, especially during rush hour or in adverse weather. Determining fault in these accidents is complex due to multiple parties.
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Include crashes with delivery trucks or rideshare vehicles like Uber and Lyft. These cases may involve employer liability and require navigating unique insurance policies.
- Hit-and-Run Incidents: Remain a significant issue, leaving victims to rely on uninsured motorist coverage or other legal options to seek compensation.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we have extensive experience handling all types of auto accident cases. Whether your crash involved a single distracted driver or multiple parties, our team is equipped to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Regardless of how the accident happened, injured victims may be entitled to compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial impact of the crash.
Compensation You Can Recover After an Auto Accident in Jacksonville
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Jacksonville, you have the right to seek compensation for the losses caused by the crash and not just now, but in the future as well.
Economic Damages: Covering Your Financial Losses
Economic damages reimburse the measurable costs tied to your accident. Under Florida’s no-fault system, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) may cover up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault. In serious injury cases, however, this coverage is often not enough.
You may be able to pursue additional compensation for:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, future treatment)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Out-of-pocket costs related to your car accident injuries
- Long-term care or disability-related expenses
Non-Economic Damages: Addressing Pain and Emotional Impact
When an accident involves negligence or reckless behavior, Jacksonville injury victims may also seek non-economic damages, that is compensation that reflects how the crash has affected their daily lives.
These damages may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship or quality of relationships
In some cases, such as crashes involving impaired driving, road rage, or defective vehicle components, additional claims may be possible against third parties, including employers or manufacturers.
Car Accident Laws and Legislation in Jacksonville
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides up to $10,000 for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. While this system ensures quick access to funds, it does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which are only recoverable under specific conditions.
When You Can Sue the At-Fault Driver
Victims can step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver if their injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, which includes:
- Permanent loss of significant bodily function.
- Permanent injury.
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Death.
This threshold is crucial for recovering non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, beyond PIP’s limits.
Statute of Limitations
As of March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years for accidents occurring after that date. Claims related to wrongful death must also be filed within two years. Missing this deadline typically forfeits your right to seek compensation.
Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence rule in 2023. This law bars recovery if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are partially at fault but less than 50%, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
Reporting Requirements
Under Florida law, accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500 must be reported to law enforcement immediately. Police may create a report, but for minor accidents, victims may file their own report with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
These laws form the backbone of car accident claims in Jacksonville, emphasizing the importance of timely action, accurate documentation, and adherence to legal requirements.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer Near You in Jacksonville
A car wreck can leave you with injuries, bills, and uncertainty. Unfortunately, insurance companies often use this time to shift blame or minimize payouts, leaving you overwhelmed and shortchanged.
That’s where a skilled insurance claim lawyer steps in. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our experienced Jacksonville team handles everything from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers or going to court so you can focus on getting better.
How We Simplify the Complex Process
Our skilled legal team assists with:
- File and manage your claim
- Handle all communication with insurers and other parties
- Gather evidence and determine fault
- Manage paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations
- Represent you in court if needed
When to Call a Lawyer
Certain situations make hiring an auto accident attorney essential, such as:
- Disputes over fault, especially if you’ve been accused of causing the accident
- High repair costs exceeding $1,000
- Denied or undervalued claims from insurers
- Requests for access to your medical history by insurers
- Accidents involving company vehicles, multiple parties, or other complexities
- Rideshare Accidents: If your accident involves a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft, the legal landscape can become even more complex.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our priority is ensuring you understand your legal options and have the support you need to move forward. Let us simplify the complexities of your case, stand up to insurance companies, and help you regain control of your life. Call today for a free consultation and discover how much we can recover on your behalf.
Our Expertise in Handling Car Accident Cases
As Jacksonville’s trusted car accident lawyers, we know motor vehicle accident cases like the back of our hand. We know what steps to take and what pitfalls to help you avoid along the way. Thanks to decades of combined experience, we also know what strategies help clients win both in and out of court. No matter how severe your accident is, we have the expertise it takes to win.
Take a look at how much we’ve won for our clients in recent years.
- We won $1.5 million for a client who was in an accident with a car that illegally entered oncoming traffic
- We won $800,000 for a client who was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler while driving on the highway
- We won $1 million for a client who was a passenger in a rideshare vehicle that was struck by another car
- We won $1 million for a client who was hit by a driver who ran a red light
- We won $1.2 million for a client who suffered from a traumatic brain injury due to another person’s negligent driving
Visit our website to see more case results like these.
With hundreds of positive reviews and years of local experience, our Jacksonville car accident lawyers near you know how to stand up to insurers and get results.
Client Testimonials
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You see a lot of commercials on TV attorneys talking about this of that well you don’t have to go to the biggest outfit when you can use the best. Steinger, Greene & Feiner They’re the best . I can’t thank you guys enough for everything … More you did for me and my family. You got me way more than I expected and your professionalism was great. A special thanks to Tony Davis And my great Attorney jason Bateman. -
My attorney is truly amazing. This is my first time getting into an accident like this and he has been extremely helpful. Walking me through the process, answering all my questions thoroughly, referring to some of the best doctors and injury … More care centers in town. I’m didn’t know the accident would affect me or my life the way it has. I’m thankful for the guidance and support. The patience and making me feel like they actually care about my wellbeing and not just the money. Mr. Nelson and his paralegal team have been amazing and I’m grateful to have them on my case.
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I’m very thankful to my legal team, especially my paralegal Daniela Alfonso. I had lost hope of receiving compensation for my injuries, but thanks to her dedication and hard work, I was able to achieve it. I highly recommend Daniela Alfonso … More and this team to anyone in need of professional and truly caring legal support.
We Fight for Your Rights
Steinger, Greene & Feiner is the personal injury law firm you can trust to help get your life back on track. Our team will hold the at-fault party accountable and fight to secure the compensation you deserve. With our no-fee guarantee, you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.
Get started today with a free, no-obligation case evaluation. It’s quick, easy, and confidential — you can call us, schedule an appointment online, or simply fill out our contact form to connect with one of our experienced car accident lawyers near you.
You can also visit our Jacksonville office: 4651 Salisbury Rd, Suite 400, Jacksonville, FL 32256. We’re conveniently located near JTB (Butler Blvd) and I-95, with easy access from downtown Jacksonville and nearby neighborhoods like Baymeadows and Southpoint. Free parking is available on-site. Get Directions.
We’re available 24/7. Call anytime and let us fight for the justice you deserve.
FAQ on Car Accident in Jacksonville
The three most dangerous roads to travel on in Duval County are:
– I-10 and Roosevelt Boulevard
– I-295 and Commonwealth
– I-95 and Myrtle Avenue North
Other dangerous roads in Duval County include:
– Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle
– Blanding Boulevard and Argyle Forest Boulevard
– Blanding Boulevard and Collins Road
– Atlantic Boulevard and Southside Boulevard
– 102nd St. and Ricker Road
– 103rd St. and Blanding Boulevard
– Beach Blvd. and Hodges Boulevard
– Beach Blvd. and Southside Boulevard
– Baymeadows Rd. and Southside Boulevard
– Claire Ln. and San Jose Boulevard
Yes, you can still recover compensation under Florida’s comparative negligence rule, but your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you’ve found 30% at fault, your compensation will decrease by that percentage.
Most attorneys in Florida work on a contingency fee basis, typically charging 33.3% to 40% of your settlement, depending on whether your case goes to court. This means you only pay if they successfully recover compensation for you.
The average car accident settlement in Florida varies widely based on the severity of the accident and the damages involved. Check out our article for a detailed breakdown of factors influencing settlement amounts.