Serious auto accidents can require the experience of an auto accident injury attorney. And when you want the best guidance, turn to Brooks Law Group.
Your insurance company may want you to think the claims process is simple. However, the way a claim is submitted and handled can be the difference between getting the financial help you need to get your life back on track and getting left with nothing but a stack of bills.
Each day at our offices across Winter Haven, Tampa, and Lakeland, we hear from people who’ve been seriously injured. Some even lost a loved one because of a car accident.
A serious car accident can leave someone physically and financially vulnerable, ill-equipped to fight an insurance company and their trained legal team on their own. Often, the tragedy becomes even more difficult for the victim because their insurance company works hard to withhold the financial help the injured person needs to get their life back on track.
Getting help from an experienced auto accident attorney makes sure you get the full benefits you need from an insurance company and that any additional damages you’re eligible for are recovered for you.
If you or a loved one have been hurt in an auto accident, we want to help you get the compensation you need.
Hearing about your legal options is free, and if you decide you want us as your auto accident attorney, you don’t pay anything if we don’t win your case.
Causes of Car Accidents
Accidents can be avoided if drivers are careful, but sometimes they can’t be avoided because another driver wasn’t paying attention.
These are the most common causes of severe car accident cases:
Driving Under the Influence:
Driving under the influence (DUI), also known as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating a vehicle while impaired (OWI). No matter how you spell it, besides a few exceptions, it is a criminal offense in the United States. The first time will show up on your criminal record as a misdemeanor, but repeat offenses will be charged as felonies.
A DUI involves operating a vehicle, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle, while under the influence of a mind-altering substance that inhibits your ability to drive well.
When a driver is either drunk, high, or under the influence of drugs, their ability to control their motor vehicle is negatively affected. Usually, the substance is alcohol or cannabis, but even some prescription medications have side effects that impair quick reflexes and good judgment.
DUI is one of the most common crimes in the United States. Every year, about one million people are arrested for DUI.
Penalties for DUI convictions can include jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, and mandatory education courses. DUI can be fatal in the most serious cases due to impaired decision-making or physical incapacity.
Speeding:
When speeding, motorists are a greater risk to themselves, their passengers, and other motorists on the road. Speeding increases the chance of crashing, and when crashes occur, the impact can be devastating.
High speed crashes are more likely to cause serious injury or death to the parties involved. In addition to the danger to the driver and passengers, speeding also causes damage to property.
A speeding vehicle is more likely to cause property damage in the event of a crash. A driver caught speeding may be subject to a traffic ticket or other penalties. If you are speeding and cause a car accident, you may also be liable for the damages caused.
Severe Weather Conditions:
There are many dangers to driving in severe weather conditions. Slippery roads, low visibility, and high winds can all lead to accidents.
In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 6,000 accidents occur each year in the United States due to severe weather conditions.
Certain factors cause drivers to be at greater risk of a car accident, especially poor vehicle maintenance. If the car, truck, or SUV has worn tires, broken headlights, or bad brakes, its chances of causing an accident increase.
When inclement weather occurs, drivers need to take caution when operating their vehicles. Drivers should slow down, increase their distance from other vehicles, consider postponing their travels, and avoid sudden stops and turns.
Distracted Driving:
It is estimated that distracted driving causes up to 25% of all car accidents in the United States. Distracted driving is a serious problem that can lead to death or injury for those involved.
Common distractions for drivers include any activities that take the driver’s eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel.
- Cell phone calls
- Texting
- Eating
- Passengers
- Loud music
- Adjusting the radio
The best way to prevent tragedies related to distracted driving is to make sure that all drivers make safety a priority when they’re on the road.
Rollovers:
Rollovers can cause accidents, but there are many other factors that can lead to the incident. The most common cause is uneven ground or excessive speed when driving around a curve or corner.
In some cases, a rollover can be due to oversteering or a vehicle defect. SUVs are particularly susceptible to rollovers due to the structure of the vehicle. A rollover can be deadly because the roof of the vehicle can be crushed, leading to severe head and neck injuries.
In 2016, There Were More Than 15,000 Automobile Accidents Across Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties.
