Crawfordville Car Accident Attorney in Florida

When it comes to car accidents, Florida is a fault insurance state. This means that drivers are required to pay for the damages in the accidents that they cause. Often, though, liability for an incident is not a cut-and-dry proposition.

The greater the amount of damage, the greater the likelihood that fault for the accident may be contested. In the confusion of the moment, it is important to remember to gather the information that will help Crawfordville car accident lawyers build a case in your favor.

Contact Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. today to get started with our Crawfordville car accident attorney.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Here are some of the most frequent causes:

• Distracted Driving: This includes texting, talking on the phone, eating, modifying the radio, or any other activity that diverts attention from the road.
• Speeding: Driving over the speed limit is a major contributor to car accidents. High speeds reduce the driver’s ability to react quickly to road hazards and enhance the severity of collisions.
• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, leading to serious accidents and fatalities.
• Reckless Driving: Aggressive driving manners like tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, and running red lights are common causes of accidents.
• Weather Conditions: Unfavorable weather conditions like rain, fog, snow, and ice can make roads slippery and decrease visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Neglecting traffic signals and stop signs can result in severe intersection collisions, often causing significant injuries.
• Vehicle Defects: Manufacturing defects or lack of proper maintenance could result in mechanical failures, like brake failures or tire blowouts, resulting in accidents.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Common injuries may include:

• Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful back-and-forth motion of the head. It is common in rear-end collisions and can result in chronic pain and limited mobility.
• Head Injuries: Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can often occur when the head smacks an object or is violently shaken.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Broken Bones: Fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and other bones are common in car accidents and can require surgery and prolonged recovery periods.
• Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and spleen can occur during a car accident, requiring immediate medical attention.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can cause pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass, metal, and other debris can cause deep cuts and lacerations, often requiring stitches and sometimes leading to permanent scarring.
• Psychological Injuries: Car accidents could also result in psychological injuries, which includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Document Physical Evidence

Law enforcement, insurance companies, and attorneys all understand how critical it is to gather evidence at the scene of an accident to establish liability. Where a vehicle is damaged and visible skid marks on the road may indicate how an incident occurred. Photographs of the street and of the vehicles from multiple angles can be invaluable to a car accident attorney in making a case.

Identify Witnesses

Bystanders can provide testimony that may support or invalidate a liability claim. A list of witnesses and their contact information can help a car accident lawyer gather first-person accounts of the accident to better establish your position.

Representation Strengthens Your Claim

Sometimes an insurance company may deny a claim if fault for the accident is contested. Engaging a car accident attorney can be the action that induces an insurance company to change its decision and agree to a settlement.

Contact our Crawfordville car accident lawyers to schedule a FREE consultation from the Shapiro Law Firm, P.A., call (850) 629-7226 today or contact us online.