Car Accident Attorneys

Failure To Yield Right Of Way

Failure to yield the right of way may occur in many driving situations with varying degrees of resulting accidents. Though Florida Statute § 316 doesn’t specify who has the right-of-way, it does outline which driver is expected to yield in everyday driving scenarios.

Rear-End Collision

Every driver is expected to keep a safe distance between the vehicle in front of them. When this doesn’t happen, rear-end collisions are common, generally due to tailgating.

Speeding

Personal injury lawyers see the unfortunate aftermath of car accidents caused by speeding every day. The subsequent injuries are harsher due to the higher rate of speed and more severe vehicle impact which has lasting effects on everyone involved.

Careless Or Reckless Driving

Accidents caused by careless or reckless driving are frequent in Florida. While careless driving occurs when a driver doesn’t exercise proper care (sometimes referred to as accidents caused by driver error), reckless driving hinges on a willful disregard for the safety of other people and property. Examples of reckless driving accidents can include drunk driving or texting and driving.

Failure To Obey A Traffic Control Device

A traffic control device is any device that controls the flow of traffic, such as a stop sign or traffic light. When a driver doesn’t obey these devices, the help of a car accident attorney is frequently needed to handle the resulting car accident.

Stop & Secure The Scene

First, all parties involved should ensure that everyone is safe and move vehicles off the road if possible. Never leave the scene of any car accident, even one you think is minor. Then, turn on the four-way flashers of your vehicle to alert other drivers to the accident scene.

Call 911

After being in a car accident, a person's adrenaline is flowing and can mask the pain from physical injuries. Consequently, many car crash injuries might not be felt for hours or even days until after the accident. Remember, feeling no pain doesn't mean an injury didn't happen. Anyone who even remotely believes they’ve been injured should seek medical attention immediately.

Gather Information

The more information you can gather after a car crash, the better. Even the smallest details can be pertinent to your case. Take photos of the vehicles, roadway, traffic signals, weather conditions, and any other details that provide a full picture of the situation. Write down your account of the crash, including events that happened before.

Exchange Information With Others

Drivers must also collect insurance information from one another, and the police should be contacted after any serious accidents. Provide your name, contact telephone number, and address to other involved parties and ask for the same information from them.

Seek Medical Attention

A police report and medical records can be vital in getting deserved compensation after a serious accident. Although it might not feel as if you sustained an injury, it’s important to visit with a medical professional since long-term medical treatment may be necessary.

Notify Your Car Insurance Company

Your car insurance company should be notified of the accident as soon as possible. Explain the situation clearly and truthfully, and provide any information the company asks for. Keep a log or notes of all contact you have with your insurance company and notify it of any new information related to the car accident. Insurance disputes arise when companies under pay or refuse the claims. In such cases, drivers should contact their attorneys.

Determining Fault In A Car Accident

Even accidents that seem straightforward can become exceptionally complex in the blink of an eye. One might hope that car accident settlements will be quick and fair, but insurance providers always want to pay out as little as possible. Those who have been injured in a car accident should contact a lawyer to help them receive a fair offer from the insurance company. A car accident attorney will be able to take over the case so that the injured parties can focus on their recovery. This includes filing car accident claims, collecting information, and acting as an intermediary for all parties involved.

• Avoid speaking with anyone about the accident outside of giving the other driver and police officer basic information. Anything said throughout this process can be used at a later time to determine fault.
• When speaking to law enforcement at the scene, keep your statement concise and focused on the accident. Make sure to include what direction you were traveling at the time of the accident; if the other driver(s) used any signals; if you or passengers experienced any injuries, including soreness; and don’t place blame on others involved.

• If the other driver contacts or attempts to contact you after the accident, don’t respond. Contact your insurance company and keep a record of the attempted contact. After filing accident reports and submitting the accident claim to the insurance company, the insurance companies handle the situation, not the drivers.
• Avoid settling quickly if there's an injury or serious damage. Insurance providers will often suggest a quick settlement, but this money will not always cover long-term expenses such as lost wages, physical therapy, and medication.