Highway Car Accident
In central Florida, thousands of people rely on highways to get around. People commuting to work in cars, tourists traveling for vacation, and truckers transporting products all use the highway. With so many vehicles on the road, highway car accidents are common.
Unfortunately, this type of accident is one of the most dangerous. The speed limit on Florida highways is high, and that means a greater potential for injury in an accident. The force of an accident can cause death or serious injury.
Abercrombie, P.A. knows how much you can lose in one accident. We’ll fight for you to receive compensation for your losses.
What Causes Highway Car Accidents?
There are many reasons highway accidents happen. While traveling at a high speed, a driver can easily lose control of their vehicle. But usually, the accident is caused by a negligent driver. All of these are common causes of accidents on the highway:
- Speeding
- Road rage
- Tailgating
- Driving and texting
- Changing lanes into another vehicle
- Driving unsafely in bad weather
- Driving while drowsy
- Drunk driving
- Failing to signal
At other times, the accidents can occur because another party was negligent. For instance, a construction crew could leave debris on the road. If a car swerves to avoid the debris, they could be involved in an accident. The construction company could be held responsible for the accident.
A trucking company may also be to blame. If they failed to give their vehicles proper maintenance, a blown tire or worn brakes could cause an accident. Instead of holding the driver responsible for the accident, you could hold the trucking company accountable.
Common Injuries Associated with Highway Crashes
Any car crash can cause serious injuries. However, a highway crash is even more likely to result in an injury. The high speed, volume of vehicles on the road, and oncoming traffic increase the potential of a deadly or permanent injury.
Typically, victims can experience broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injury, knee injury, dislocated shoulders, road rash, and lacerations. The type of injuries you experience depend on the circumstances of your accident. For instance, a sideswipe on a highway is likely to cause harm to your shoulder. If your airbag deploys, you could have injuries to your face.
Even if you don’t believe you have injuries, you should see a doctor after your accident. You may have hidden injuries that aren’t obvious until long after your collision.
What Happens After the Accident?
After your accident, you need to start picking up the pieces of your life. This means going to doctor appointments, repairing your car, and coping with your injuries. You also need to take steps towards receiving money for your injuries.
To do so, you should consider going through the insurance company. Although Florida is a no-fault state, you may be able to go through the other driver’s insurance. Their negligence could make them responsible for paying your expenses.
However, dealing with insurance companies can be a headache. They may not be willing to give you money for your claim. To get what you deserve, you need to fight. This often means working with a car accident lawyer. When you choose an experienced attorney, they know how to deal with insurance adjusters. They can negotiate a fair offer that gives you the money you need to recover.
At times, the insurance company doesn’t want to pay you what you deserve. Your attorney could file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. As long as the other driver’s negligence was the reason for the accident, you have a chance at compensation.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
In central Florida, all drivers must have a certain level of insurance coverage. But not all drivers comply with the law. If you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, getting compensation is a little harder.
One option is to go through your own insurance. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance will cover your expenses (up to your policy limits). But some people don’t have that level of protection. In the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area of central Florida, the average household income was $55,089 in 2017. Some households can’t afford uninsured motorist coverage.
Those households may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover their damages. An attorney from Abercrombie, P.A. can advise you on how to handle the situation.
