Contact Colette Heck Law Today if you Have Been Involved in a Rear-End Collision

It’s always unfortunate to be involved in a rear-end collision. Whether you’re the victim of the accident or the driver being held responsible, you’re likely to be faced with at least some stressful bills, paperwork, pain, suffering, and/or emotional distress. Regardless of the outcome, often times, most of them are undesirable. Fortunately, Florida has a pretty good grasp on who should be held accountable for rear-end car accidents which makes recovery for undeserving victims much less of a hassle. Did you know that in virtually every standard rear-end car accident case the driver in the back is liable for the damages caused?

For the most part, there’s not much good that can come out of a rear-end collision in Daytona Beach Shores. Generally, the most positive aspect of any automobile accident is getting out of it with minor injuries or better yet completely unharmed, but in the end, there’s always property damage and medical bills to deal with. For the liable party, there’s the added cost of possible traffic tickets and even steeper penalties if their insurance policy isn’t enough to cover the damages they’ve caused. But my sympathy goes to the innocent drivers who follow the rules of the road down to a tee and are then struck by a careless driver and are left with painful and permanent injuries, outstanding medical bills, a totaled car, and severe emotional distress. Unfortunately, a good handful of these accidents even take the lives of these victims.

It’s almost always the driver in the rear of a rear-end collision who is responsible for the accident. However, if you have any doubt or questions regarding how to go about tackling your personal injury case, it would be greatly beneficial to have a Daytona Beach Shores auto injury attorney on your side that deals with these cases on a constant basis.

Contact Colette Heck Law today if you have been involved in a rear-end collision.

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Drunk driving is a third degree felony.

Drunk drivers willfully and needlessly endanger the life of others. According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, 33,625 people were convicted of driving under the influence last year alone. When someone decides to drive drunk innocent drivers and passengers are in immediate danger. These cases are more difficult than many people realize. It is not about just reckless driving. It's also about tracing the beverage or substance trail back to the source to make those who foster, encourage, or enable drunk or drug impaired drivers.

Drunk driving is a third degree felony under Florida Statutes and is punishable in by incarceration. Under Florida law, drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher are above the legal limit. Furthermore, drunk drivers that cause accidents and serious injuries such as a traumatic brain or closed head injury can also be subject additional civil liability for punitive damages under Florida Statutes 768.762.

Damages in a drunk driving case include amounts for past and future medical bills, loss of earnings, loss of a loved one, pain and suffering, permanent disability and punitive damages. This is because drunk driving is reckless disregard for the life and safety of others. Drunk driving cases can also include claims not just against the drunk driver but may include legal liability from other third parties such as establishments where the alcohol was served. Florida's vendor responsibility act requires alcohol establishments to teach their employees to serve alcohol responsibly to the public.

Proudly serving Deland and all of Central Florida.

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Motorcycle accidents will often result in a very serious injury or death.

Motorcycle accidents will often result in a very serious injury or death, and it is therefore extremely important for those involved in a motorcycle accident to contact an experienced motorcycle injury attorney in order to properly recover costs for injuries, medical bills, distress, loss of wages, medical expenses, and other damages caused as a result of the motorcycle accident.

You should also make sure to do the following:
-Report the accident to local law enforcement and insist upon an accident crash report
-Seek immediate medical attention, even if you think you are not injured. Being involved in a motorcycle accident can result in severe shock, so any injuries may not be immediately apparent.
-Get the license number, personal and insurance details, and name of the other driver involved.
-Ask for the details and names of any witnesses present at the accident scene.
-Take pictures to document your injuries and damages as soon as possible.

Call Colette Heck Law today, your Daytona Beach Shores auto injury attorney.
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Colette Heck can help you get the compensation you are entitled to!

Serious car accidents may involve head trauma, spinal cord injuries, amputations and long-term disability. Most insurance companies, committed to profit for their shareholders, employ a number of tactics to reduce or minimize claim settlements and payments. As a result, many car accident injury victims have little choice but to go to court to recover compensation proportional to the actual cost of their injuries.

I-95 and I-4 are home to some of the most challenging driving conditions in the United States. Many of the car and truck accidents in this area occur on our highways. High speeds combined with heavy use make Daytona highways prime real estate for serious motor vehicle incidents. If you have been hurt in an accident on Florida highways, our DeLand car accident attorneys can help you.

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Motorcycle accidents are almost always serious!

Motorcycle accidents are almost always serious, especially when they involve high speeds, unyielding stationary objects or other moving vehicles. With no seatbelts to keep you from being thrown, no airbags to cushion the impact and no metal to protect you, a motorcycle accident can result in severe injuries or death.

Despite preventive actions and safety features (helmets), motorcycle accidents will and do occur. Serious bodily harm and even death are often the result of such tragic occurrences. The lack of a protective barrier between the driver and the road ultimately leaves motorcyclists in a very vulnerable position.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents:

-Motorcycle-Car/Truck Collision: Sometimes car and truck drivers pull out in front of the biker at the last minute, cut off the motorcyclist, make a U-turn in front of the biker, or otherwise violate the motorcyclist’s right of way. The car/truck often does not see the biker due to blind spots, driving conditions (hard to detect at night or in poor weather), or they are distracted (texting, talking on cell phone).
-Sudden-Stop Collision: Rear-end collisions where the driver of the motor vehicle stops for some unknown reason and the motorcyclist crashes into the back of their vehicle.
-Open Door Accidents: Parked cars and vehicles that open the door directly into the biker’s path.
-Road Conditions: Debris on the road, trash thrown out the window, groves, gravel, or lose pavement can cause a bike to skid out from under the rider. Road construction and railroad crossings can also put bikers at risk.

Call Colette Heck Law today, your DeLand auto injury attorney.
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Being involved in a serious car accident can be among the most trying times in a person’s life. Some will be left dealing with medical bills and lost wages. Others will face months or years of rehabilitation, disability, long-term care and pain and suffering.

At Colette Heck Law, we will work with investigators and other professionals to determine the causes of your accident and who is responsible. We will then assemble the team best able to fight for the maximum compensation your case deserves under the law.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, your choice of law firms can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of your case and the long-term financial well-being of you and your family. Colette Heck has been a member of the Florida bar since 1998 and has earned the reputation of being a trusted attorney.

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Contact An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Car accidents are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Rear end collisions are the most typical type of case that Colette Heck Law sees. Failing to yield the right of way, and turning in front of on-coming traffic are other accident cases that are commonly handled by Ms. Heck. Other car accident cases we handle are crashes involving drunk drivers, negligent drivers running a red light or stop signs, speeding, and cars entering intersections from private driveways. such as shopping centers, without looking before entering the street or highway.

Although there are countless reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates the number one factor contributing to car accidents in the nation is distracted or inattentive driving, which accounts for approximately 80% of all motor vehicle accidents.

Other factors that cause car accidents are driving under the influence of alcohol or drug related substances, violation of traffic laws such as speeding or not stopping at stop signs, fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel, and lack of maintenance to the vehicle. In other situations, car accidents result from external factors out of an individual’s control, such as poor weather conditions, improperly maintained roads and highways, or a defect on the vehicle from the manufacturer.

Our Port Orange car accident attorney assists victims of car accidents in attempting to obtain compensation for their injuries. In order to best protect your rights, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately after your accident. Contact Colette Heck Law today.

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Auto Accident? Contact Colette Heck Law

Colette Heck has successfully represented injured drivers and passengers in every imaginable car and automobile accident scenario. From head on collisions, rear end collisions, motorcycle crashes, drunk driving accidents, hit and runs, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, even uninsured and under-insured motor vehicle accident claims. Our firm also handles complex car accident cases involving insurance coverage disputes and product liability claims such as defective design and automobile manufacturing defects.

Accidents can cause a wide range of complex injuries and medical conditions. Common injuries include fractures, broken bones, and other serious injuries to the cervical, lumbar, or thoracic spine surgical repair. Some of the most common injuries occur to the neck and back. In medical terminology, the location of neck and back injuries are referred to as the cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine.

Sometimes injuries are serious enough and may require surgical repair. High speed collisions, accidents with pedestrians, motorcycle accidents, and drunk driving accident cases often result in severe or even catastrophic injuries such as a traumatic brain injury, closed head injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, and in some cases  wrongful death. Over the years, Colette Heck Law has seen many unfortunate injury cases, but has also been able to help client's get justice too.

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Contact Colette Heck Law today.

If you’re the victim of a car accident, you need to take immediate steps to make sure you can be compensated for any physical injuries. Even if you think you haven’t been injured, take these steps. Serious injuries can show up days or even weeks later. If you can’t act immediately, call a friend or family member to take these steps for you or ask for help from someone at the scene.

--Call 911--

Immediately report the accident. Let the 911 dispatcher know if anyone has been hurt.

When the police arrive, be completely honest and cooperative. Remember that what you tell the police about your injuries will be recorded and can be used as evidence when you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. If you are hurt, get this information into the police report. Do not discuss the accident or “fault” for the accident with anyone other than the police.

--Record the Scene--

Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene from all angles. Take pictures of the inside of the vehicle you were in. Photograph your injuries. Get the contact information, insurance, license plate and drivers’ license information of anyone else involved in the accident. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Make note of weather conditions, construction activity or any other contributing factors.

Record your version of exactly what happened, in the order it happened. If you are not able, ask someone else to do these things.

--Seek Medical Attention--

Even if you think that your injuries are not serious, immediately seek medical attention. Closed-head injuries, for example, rarely show up at once. Do this because EMT, emergency room and doctor’s records will be required by insurance companies and needed in lawsuits. It is important to be completely honest. Disclose any previous injuries that might be seen as contributing to your current injuries. Be sure to follow up on any discharge advice you are given. Failure to do so can jeopardize your case. Save all receipts and bills.

--Notify Your Insurance Company--

Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Often, insurers have notification deadlines. If you fail to meet these deadlines, you might not be compensated. Cooperate with the adjuster. You may be compensated for your medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and loss of consortium. An insurance carrier will first look to the types and amounts of damages suffered, and then to fault or percentage of fault.

--Don’t Sign Anything Yet--

In the hours, days and weeks following an auto accident, insurance companies – both your own and others – often try to “settle” for a specific amount of money if you agree to give up your rights to make a claim or sue in the future. The money can be tempting, but it is much better to wait and see what the actual extent and cost of your injuries will be.

--Call a Personal Injury Lawyer--

The laws on personal injuries caused by auto accidents can be complicated. You need to call a reliable and trusted Daytona Beach auto injury attorney. Contact Colette Heck Law today.

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