Safety and Prevention of Car Accidents

Skilled Injury Lawyers Believe Safety and Prevention are Key to Avoiding Dangerous Car Accidents in South Florida

Florida car accident statistics speak to the alarming frequency with which car accidents occur in our state on a daily basis—in fact, four of the five highways that are ranked most deadly are located in the state of Florida. Despite these statistics, every driver on the road has the ability to take safety and prevention steps to reduce the chance of being involved in a car crash.

At Lawlor, White & Murphey, we have been fighting for victims who sustained injuries in car accidents caused by someone else’s negligent driving for a collective 50-plus years in South Florida. We have seen firsthand the devastation that car accident injuries can cause to innocent victims and are dedicated to doing everything we can to spread awareness of safety and the prevention of car accidents in our communities. Car accidents can result in spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, and even death, highlighting the fact that one driver’s careless actions can change the lives of all parties to the accident forever.

Tips on Safety and Prevention of Car Accidents in South Florida

Some important safety and prevention tips include:

• Watch blind spots. Car accidents are often caused when one vehicle fails to notice another vehicle in a blind spot. While the vehicle’s mirrors are useful, it’s always important to check your blind spots, especially when changing lanes.
• Stay focused on the roads. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Florida—distractions can be obvious, such as texting while driving, or more subtle, such as driving while your mind is preoccupied with other thoughts that make it difficult to focus on the roads.
• Never use drugs or alcohol. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is never acceptable, and avoiding drugs and alcohol is one way that everyone can easily prevent an accident, especially when considering the widespread availability ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft in South Florida.
• Keep emotions in check. Overly aggressive driving and “road rage” often create situations where an accident is much more likely to happen—avoid excessive speeding, tailgating and weaving unnecessarily between lanes while remembering that everyone’s goal should be to get to their destinations safely.
• Maintain vehicle tires. Improperly inflated tires or worn, bald tires can be dangerous both because they could cause a tire blowout while driving and because they can make it more difficult to maneuver and stop your vehicle, especially during one of Florida’s intense rainstorms.
• Avoid fatigued driving. Circumstances do arise when you have to be on the roads for extended periods of time or where you simply did not get enough rest. Because of the dangers posed by fatigued driving, it’s important to take sufficient breaks to make sure you are sufficiently alert to avoid a car accident.
• Obey traffic laws. Many car crashes are caused because someone failed to stop at a red light or stop sign, or failed to yield the right of way where necessary. Understanding and obeying the traffic laws is key to avoiding a potentially serious car accident.Use your turn signal. Your turn signal lets others on the roadways know where you’re going so that they can adjust accordingly. The simple act of using your turn signal when turning or changing lanes can easily prevent an accident from happening in the first place.
• Watch the weather. Storms in South Florida tend to move rapidly and frequently result in heavy rain that can make it difficult to see even the roads, let alone other vehicles on the road. If you’re caught in one of these storms, evaluate whether pulling over and waiting for the storm to pass is the safest course of action.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Advocate for Crash Victims When Safety and Prevention Fails

When another driver fails to take appropriate safety and prevention steps to avoid a car crash, you have the legal right to pursue a claim for compensation against that negligent party. We will pursue a comprehensive investigation to determine how the accident was caused, including by identifying the safety and prevention steps the negligent driver could have taken. We will:

• Identify and interview eyewitnesses
• Examine the formal police report
• Locate and analyze any available video surveillance footage
• Consult with accident reconstruction specialists where necessary
• Use cutting-edge approaches in technology to identify potential causes of the accident

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation to Discuss Options in Your Fort Lauderdale Car Crash Case

When safety and prevention of car accidents fails, you need a strong advocate on your side to make sure you get full and fair compensation for any injuries sustained in the crash. Our skilled car accident injury lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and evaluate your situation to form a demand for compensation that accounts for both your current and future costs. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us today or fill out this online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Safety and Prevention of Car Accidents

FAQ: What if the other party to the car accident in which I was injured did not intend to cause the accident?

This is common. Despite this, a failure by one driver to take appropriate safety and prevention steps to avoid car accidents can render that driver financially responsible for the outcome. Perhaps the driver was overly tired or failed to check his or her blind spot before changing lanes. The driver’s financial liability is based upon the fact that one simple safety step could have prevented the accident and your injuries entirely.

FAQ: Why is timing so important if I was injured in a car accident?

The evidence that can support a claim that the other driver failed to take necessary safety steps to prevent the accident will be at its strongest immediately after the accident. Physical evidence will be most readily available (for example, video surveillance footage is often deleted after a period of time has passed) and the memories of any witnesses to the accident will be most clear immediately after the crash. While you technically have four years in Florida to file a lawsuit, sooner is always better in these cases.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.