Unfortunately, you and your family are in danger of becoming a victim of a tragic car accident in Central Florida every time you get in your car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2016—a 5.6 percent increase from 2015. If you are injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be off work for months or longer while you recover from your injuries—if you are not permanently disabled. Our experienced car accident attorneys are here to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve from the driver who caused your wreck.
What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents?
Negligent drivers cause many types of tragic car accidents that can result in victims suffering catastrophic injuries or death. Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, rollover accidents, and side-impact crashes are a few of the types of car accidents that motorists can cause. In some cases, the at-fault driver will do the unthinkable and flee the scene in a hit and run accident. Here are some of the major reasons for car accidents:
- Distracted driving. When drivers are talking on their cell phones, texting, eating and drinking, or looking at a GPS, their minds and eyes are not on their driving. In a few split seconds of inattention, they can cause a catastrophic wreck.
- Impaired driving. If a driver is intoxicated due to alcohol or drug use, his judgment, reaction time, and vision are significantly impaired—all key skills necessary to be a safe driver. In 2016, 10,497 victims lost their lives in drunk driving accidents.
- Drowsy drivers. Driving when drowsy can be as dangerous as driving when drunk. If a driver is fighting to stay awake or falls asleep at the wheel, he can veer across the center line and cause a head-on collision or fail to see the driver in front of him slam on his brakes before it is too late to avoid a rear-end collision.
- Reckless driving. Weaving between lanes, excessively speeding, tailgating, and engaging in other aggressive driving behaviors are just some of the ways that reckless driving leads to accident victims suffering life-altering injuries or death.
- Teen drivers. Teen drivers are more likely to cause a car accident due to their lack of experience or engaging in dangerous driving practices, such as talking on cell phones or texting while driving.
- Lack of maintenance. Every driver has a duty to perform routine maintenance on his vehicle and make necessary repairs. When a person fails to do this, he can cause a deadly crash if his brakes fail or worn tires cause a tire blowout. If manufacturing defects of any of the vehicle parts caused the crash, the victims may have a products liability claim against the vehicle and parts manufacturers.
Common Injuries That Florida Car Accident Victims Suffer
Even a relatively minor vehicle collision that occurs at slower speeds can cause the victims to suffer long-term injuries. In some cases, the symptoms may take days or longer to develop, which is why it is critical to seek prompt medical care even if you do not believe that you were hurt in a crash. Some common injuries caused by car wrecks include:
- Brain injuries. Concussions, skull fractures, hemorrhages, and traumatic brain injuries are a few of the brain injuries that can be caused by car accidents. Victims can suffer permanent changes in their vision, hearing, mobility, reasoning, concentration, memory, and much more.
- Amputations. The force of the impact can cause limbs or other body parts to be amputated in a crash. In other cases, the injuries may be so severe that an amputation is required as part of the victim’s medical treatment for his injuries.
- Spinal injuries. Herniated disks, fractured vertebrae, and damage to the spinal cord are some spinal injuries caused by car accidents that can cause long-term pain and limitations in movement. When the injury to the spinal cord is severe, a person could become partially or completely paralyzed.
- Broken bones. Broken and crushed bones can take months or longer to heal, and in serious cases, the treatment may include physical therapy and surgery.
- Burns. Being burned in a car accident can be a terrifying experience. Victims may be forced to live with scars, disfigurement, permanent nerve damage, and psychological trauma as a result of their burns.
- Internal organ damage. Damage to vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, spleen, and kidney, can be life-threatening. A victim suffering internal organ damage may need immediate medical care and surgery to avoid irreversible damage.
- Wrongful death. Many of these common injuries can be serious enough or cause complications that result in a victim’s death.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys for Help Obtaining the Compensation That You Deserve for Your Injuries
If you were the victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the negligent driver. Our experienced car accident attorneys are here to investigate the cause of your crash, collect the evidence you need to prove the other driver’s fault, and to fight with the insurance companies to obtain the settlement that you deserve. To get your questions answered and learn about your legal options, call our office today to schedule your free consultation.
