A car accident is a devastating experience, and there is often an abundance of distracted drivers and other hazards on Florida roads today. Car accidents involving serious injuries or fatalities can affect you or your family for life. The ramifications can seem endless, ranging from lifelong medical issues, to devastating financial losses, lost wages, reduced employability from injuries and severe mental and emotional distress.
Some recent events highlight the importance of driving safely and maintaining diligence while on the road. During a one-week span, Florida Highway Patrol was called to 3 total car accidents involving fatalities. The reasons for the crashes varied. One involved a wrong-way accident that led to four fatalities, while others involved an illegal turn and a car hitting a pedestrian.
Negligence is often a factor
Most car accidents are caused by the negligence of at least one of the drivers. Sometimes, a passenger can be the cause of the negligence if they cause a driver to become distracted. If you or a family member sustain serious injuries from a car accident involving negligence, or you lose a family member due to a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you will need to prove the negligence to recover any compensation.
All driver’s have a legal duty to drive reasonably. The definition of reasonable can change depending on road conditions. For instance, drivers are expected to drive slower in heavy rain. To establish negligence, it must be shown that the driver breached this duty, and the breach of duty caused the accident, which resulted in the injuries. Damages could be recovered if all these elements are shown.
The aftermath of a car accident is frequently overwhelming and confusing. You are likely to be very emotional and may feel like there’s nowhere to turn. You may need money to cover hospital bills and any medical treatment or lose wages from being unable to work. An experienced personal injury attorney can be a valuable resource in a time like this.