Fort Walton Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Fort Walton Beach has its fair share of accidents. In 2023, Okaloosa County experienced over 3,300 motor vehicle accidents. These crashes resulted in 27 fatalities and 2,181 injuries. These statistics are not just limited to car accidents.

The county was the location of 61 pedestrian accidents, 68 bicycle accidents, and 123 motorcycle crashes. There were 77 crashes involving alcohol and 711 involving hit-and-run drivers.

As of October 2024, the county has experienced nearly 2,500 crashes, including 18 fatalities and 1,500 injuries.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Fort Walton Beach?

Accidents can happen anywhere in and around Fort Walton Beach. But, thanks to construction, tourism, and a booming population, we’ve seen that some roads tend to see more collisions than others.

Notoriously dangerous roads and intersections in the area include:

• Highway 98
• Highway 85
• Interstate 10
• Brooks Bridge and Highway 98
• Mary Esther Cut Off and Highway 98

Traffic on Highway 98 in Fort Walton Beach, Dalton, and surrounding areas tends to be so bad that there are groups on social media dedicated to updates and discussions.

Each case is a little different. We can give you a better idea once we know the facts of your specific situation. Accidents causing severe injury or death often result in higher awards than those involving only minor trauma.

Some questions we’ll ask to help determine the value of your case are:

• How severely were you hurt?
• Are you expected to make a full recovery?
• Were you forced to take time off work due to your injury?
• Does anyone else depend on you for income?
• Were you at fault for the crash?
• Were you wearing your seatbelt?
• Did you seek medical attention after the accident?

The best way to get a sense of your case’s value is to contact Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a consultation.

You’ll be able to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including out-of-pocket expenses as well as intangible losses.

Economic damages cover monetary losses such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Cost of rehabilitation
• Nursing care
• Property damage

Any past or future expenses related to your injuries should be considered. We’ll hire experts to get an accurate and fair number for projected expenses.

Non-economic damages include items commonly thought of as “pain and suffering,” and can include:

• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of everyday activities
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress

These things don’t have a direct financial impact. However, that doesn’t mean they are worthless. They are often the things that affect your life the most, and you are owed compensation for them.

Most likely, yes.

Here’s why:

• Florida is one of the few “no-fault” states for car insurance. Your own insurance provider will compensate you for many of your losses after a car accident – regardless of fault.
• Even if you file a lawsuit to recover damages, you can still receive compensation in most cases.

Don’t be surprised when your insurer gives you an insulting offer. Or flat-out refuses to pay. Don’t worry—our founding partner is a former insurance defense lawyer.

So the insurance companies won’t get away with their usual tricks when we’re on your side.

Using Your Own Insurance

You’re required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in the Sunshine State. Obtaining money through your PIP coverage requires you to act very quickly after an accident.

If your own insurance doesn’t cover all of your damages, you still have options to seek full compensation. You may be able to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company or file a lawsuit.



Florida insurance laws are complex. It’s best to have an attorney with experience in motor vehicle accidents to be sure you aren’t missing out on the compensation you are owed.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you do file a lawsuit and are partially responsible, you can still recover compensation as long as you weren’t mostly at fault. Florida has modified comparative fault statute.



You can still recover compensation in a negligence action if you contributed to the accident, but the amount will be reduced by the proportion of fault attributed to you.

Even mild injuries can cause pain and inconvenience. Catastrophic injuries can change you and your family’s life forever.

Car accident victims suffer from injuries such as:

• Whiplash
• Brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Airbag injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• And more

It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, see a doctor.

Some injuries might not be visible. Or you might not realize the extent of it. Your medical record will be important to prove your case.

Car wrecks can be caused by:

• Driving while texting or other distracted driving
• Following too closely
• Unsafe left-turns
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Unsafe driving in construction zones
• Mechanical failure
• Roadway obstructions
• Weather
• And much more

The causes seem to be endless. Your safety is increasingly in the hands of other drivers. When you’re injured through no fault of your own, don’t hesitate to pursue compensation.

There are more distractions for drivers these days than ever before. Even devices intended to help, such as navigation and hands-free options for your phone, are distracting. Furthermore, more cities are making it legal for electric scooters and other micromobility devices to ride on the streets alongside cars.

We Handle All Types of Fort Walton Beach Auto Accident Cases

At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we have more than 60 years of combined experience dealing with insurance companies and fighting for crash victims like you.

We represent clients who’ve been hurt and lost loved ones in all different types of collisions, including:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipes
• T-Bone accidents
• Rollovers
• Highway car accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Crashes involving bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists
• Hit and run car accidents
• Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists
• Fatal car accidents, and more.

Do not hesitate to call our law firm and ask to have us stand up and fight for you. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no upfront cost. You only pay if we win. Your first case evaluation is on the house, so contact us now.

Many accidents are avoidable and are caused by someone’s carelessness. So most auto accident lawsuits will be based on negligence.

Negligence is a legal theory that imposes liability when people is not acting reasonably under the circumstances.

To win your case, you’ll have to prove each of the following elements:

• Duty: the defendant owed you a duty of care
• Breach: the defendant breached the duty of care
• Causation: the defendant’s breach caused your injuries
• Damages: you suffered damages as a result of the breach

These are all technical legal components. In general terms, you’ll have to show a direct connection between the defendant’s conduct and your damages.

While some cases may seem straightforward, the legal standard for proving each element can be complex in personal injury claims. For the best chance at receiving maximum compensation, consult a respected car accident attorney who will not cut corners on your case.

You’ll typically have two years if you’re filing a lawsuit due to injuries you sustained in a car collision. If you’ve lost a loved one, you’ll have just two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. But you could have more or less time depending on the case.

Because of the state’s no-fault insurance laws, you’ll likely need to file a car accident claim with your own insurance company first. That will have its own deadline and specific rules.

It’s critical that you get these filings right. You cannot miss a deadline. If you do, you won’t be able to recover anything.

Here’s what you should do if you have been involved in an auto accident:

• Stay at the scene: Leaving can be considered a hit and run – especially if there’s any property damage or if someone got hurt.
• Call the police: Dial 911 and report the accident to the police. The dispatcher will send a patrol officer and can direct first responders if you or anyone else was seriously hurt.
• Resist the urge to apologize: Don’t say you’re sorry or do anything that might imply that you’re accepting responsibility for the collision. You can’t really know all of the factors that led to the accident, and accepting responsibility now could put an end to a lawsuit before it even begins.
• Document the scene: Take some photos of the scene, damaged property, and your injuries while you wait for the police. Video footage can be helpful, too. Memory fades quickly, and photos can help your attorney really get an idea of what happened and where to look for evidence.
• See a doctor: Always see a medical professional after an auto accident, even if you feel okay. Some injuries might not be evident, and prompt treatment might be necessary. Additionally, prompt care will help to create a causal link between the crash and your injuries, which will really help your case for damages.
• Don’t speak with insurance adjusters alone: Adjusters don’t have your best interests at heart – even if they’re approaching you with a settlement check. They’re trying to minimize what’s paid out to you, so let an attorney care for those post-crash discussions and settlement negotiations.

Nothing shakes you up like getting into a vehicle crash. But, it’s really important to understand that the things you do right after a collision are actually really important. Even a small misstep can seriously hurt your ability to recover compensation – if and when you decide to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Ultimately, it’s in your best interest to call a lawyer as soon as you can. Your attorney will work to protect you and fight to get you every cent that you deserve – from your insurance provider and any negligent third parties, if possible.