A car accident in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, can leave you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and countless questions about what happens next. One of the most important questions is who is legally responsible for causing the crash. Determining fault affects insurance claims, potential lawsuits, and the compensation you may be able to recover.
Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (561) 944-4000 for a free consultation with a Palm Beach Gardens car accident lawyer and learn more about who could be at fault for your injuries.
How Can Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Help After a Car Accident in Palm Beach Gardens, FL?
Determining fault is not always straightforward. Insurance companies often conduct their own investigations and may attempt to minimize or deny claims by disputing liability or shifting blame to the injured person.
Our legal team at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers has 80 years of combined experience, and we are prepared to help you hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Our Palm Beach Gardens car accident attorneys can help with your case by:
- Investigating the accident
- Obtaining evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Preserving surveillance or dashcam footage
- Working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Representing you in court if litigation becomes necessary
Having legal guidance early in the process can help ensure that critical evidence is preserved and your rights are protected. Reach out to our Palm Beach Gardens personal injury lawyers today to learn more about how we can help with every aspect of your case.
Is Florida a No-Fault State?
Yes. Florida follows a no-fault insurance system for most car accidents.
After a collision, drivers generally turn to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.
However, fault still matters because:
- Serious injury claims may allow victims to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.
- Insurance companies often investigate liability before resolving claims.
- Comparative negligence can affect the amount of compensation available.
If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may be able to pursue damages beyond your PIP benefits.
Another Driver May Be at Fault
In many car accident cases, another motorist is responsible for causing the collision. Every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely and obey Florida traffic laws. When a driver acts negligently and causes an accident, they may be held liable for the resulting damages.
Examples of driver negligence include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Aggressive or reckless driving
Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction may help establish the driver’s responsibility.
A Pedestrian May Be Partially at Fault
A pedestrian may contribute to an accident by:
- Crossing outside a designated crosswalk
- Ignoring traffic control signals
- Suddenly entering traffic
- Walking while impaired
- Walking in areas where pedestrians are prohibited
Even if a pedestrian’s actions contributed to the accident, a driver may still share responsibility depending on the circumstances.
A Cyclist or Motorcyclist May Be at Fault
When cyclists and riders fail to follow traffic laws, they may contribute to or cause an accident.
Examples include:
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Riding against traffic
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Failing to yield
- Riding without proper lighting at night
Liability depends on the facts of each accident and whether the cyclist or motorcyclist acted negligently.
An Employer May Be Liable
If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer may also be responsible.
This commonly applies to:
- Delivery drivers
- Commercial truck drivers
- Company vehicle operators
- Service technicians
- Sales representatives traveling for work
Under certain circumstances, employers may be held liable for accidents caused by employees acting within the scope of their employment.
A Trucking Company or Commercial Vehicle Owner May Be Responsible
Potentially liable parties in an accident involving a commercial vehicle may include:
- The trucking company
- The owner of the commercial vehicle
- A maintenance contractor
- A cargo loading company
- A vehicle leasing company
Commercial vehicle accidents often require extensive investigations because several businesses may have contributed to the crash.
A Vehicle Manufacturer or Parts Manufacturer May Be at Fault
Sometimes an accident occurs because a vehicle or one of its components fails unexpectedly rather than because of driver error.
Defective products that may contribute to collisions include:
- Brake systems
- Tires
- Steering components
- Airbags
- Seat belts
- Electronic safety systems
If a defective product caused or worsened the accident, the manufacturer or another company in the distribution chain may be held liable.
A Government Agency May Be Responsible
A government agency responsible for designing or maintaining the roadway may bear responsibility if the accident resulted from hazards such as:
- Large potholes
- Missing or damaged traffic signs
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Poor roadway design
- Inadequate drainage
- Unsafe construction zones
Claims against government entities often involve special legal procedures and shorter deadlines than many other personal injury claims.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Palm Beach Gardens Car Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in a collision and have questions about who was at fault, our experienced team at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers can evaluate your case, investigate the accident, and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Palm Beach Gardens car accident lawyer.
