Moore Haven Injury Lawyers

Moore Haven is a small city in Glades County, nestled on the southwest shoreline of Lake Okeechobee. Nearby, just south of Palmdale, is Fisheating Creek, the only remaining free-flowing water course feeding into the lake (and the only spot at which the lake isn’t enclosed by the Herbert Hoover dike). This is a popular wilderness site for camping, fishing, hunting, bicycling, hiking, paddling and boating.

The quiet way of life in this region, however, does not mean it’s free from accident risks. Moore Haven injury lawyers know Glades County and the small cities and towns therein – including Palmdale, Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge – have been the site of serious and even deadly car accidents, boating accidents/ paddling accidents, drownings, falls and homicides by firearms. Medical errors too are a known problem in this region.

The Florida Department of Health reports the Glades County unintentional injury death rate is roughly 60 for every 100,000 people, which is far higher than the statewide rate of 40 per 100,000 population.

Injury attorneys in Glades recognize that not every serious accident – even one that results in death – is actionable in civil court for monetary compensation. However, many of these instances, particularly Glades County car accidents, are the result of negligence. Criminal offenses that result in serious injury, such as drunk driving, DUI boating or a violent attack, can also be actionable in civil court, though it depends on the circumstances.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injury and death in Moore Haven and throughout Glades County. Most of these roads are maintained by the county, though some are the responsibility of the state or federal government. These are the entities against which one might explore legal action if a road defect contributes to a crash.

Usually, however, crashes in Glades County are the result of driver negligence. All motorists in Florida owe a duty of care to each other to make certain they are using reasonable care in operating their vehicle. That means not only abiding all provisions of Chapter 316 of Florida Statutes (state uniform traffic control), but also that they are generally being cautious and respecting the rights and well-being of other drivers.

Increasingly, we are seeing cases where drivers are not only drunk and causing accidents, but also impaired by marijuana or distracted by their smartphones and other electronic devices. Although these are each addressed in Florida statutes, one need not prove violation of a statute to establish negligence necessary to prove liability and obtain compensation.

Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance, meaning every driver is required to carry personal injury protection coverage per F.S. 627.736. This coverage provides up to $10,000 in medical bills and a portion of lost wages if you’re hurt in a crash, regardless of who is at-fault. (That doesn’t mean insurers are eager to pay it, and it’s often worth hiring a Moore Haven injury lawyer to help you handle these claims.) Secondly, if you’re seriously injured, you can step outside that no-fault system and file claims against others who may have been negligent. Proving negligence means showing:

• One had a legal duty to use reasonable care;
• That duty was breached;
• The breach of duty caused the accident;
• The accident resulted in monetary damages.

Evidence of a violation of state traffic laws or local ordinance can be used in a civil injury claim, but it’s not necessarily imperative.

In Glades, we tend to see many head-on collisions on two-lane roads, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Each of these types of cases can be complex, and given the severity of injuries that often result, it’s best to speak with a Moore Haven injury lawyer who has extensive experience handling them successfully.

Boating accidents in Glades County have resulted in serious injuries and deaths over the years. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission reports there are an estimated 1,300 registered vessels in Glades (most recreational vessels) and roughly half a dozen reportable boating fatalities annually. That may not seem like a high number, but the rate of boating accidents in Glades is 1 for every 215 registered vessels, compared to the state average, which has an accident rate of 1 for every 1,233. It ranks 29^th out of 69 Florida counties for boating accident frequency.

Just like motor vehicle drivers, boat operators and owners are expected to use reasonable care in the maintenance and operation of their vessels. Failure to do so can be negligence, proof of which can be grounds for establishing liability.

Other types of injuries that occur at Fisheating Creek and various Glades County parks, trails and outdoor areas can be difficult to pursue as personal injury cases – but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a valid claim. Visitors are often expected to sign a waiver of liability for injuries stemming from use of paddles, canoes/ kayaks, tents, generators, bicycles and for other recreational activities. Waivers of liability are not bullet-proof though and the existence of one does not mean you don’t have a case.

Our injury attorneys in Moore Haven are available to answer your legal questions regarding your accident and subsequent injury or wrongful death of a loved one.

Call or email the Garvin Injury Law today for a free consultation and we will evaluate your Glades County injury claim and determine the appropriate course of action. We have been handling Moore Haven injury cases in Florida for over 30 years.