Many people know how much damage they can cause if they don’t follow the traffic rules and drive carefully; maybe they have experienced a car accident or lived a traumatic experience through a beloved family member.
The truth is that no matter how careful you are while driving, there will always be a negligent person who might endanger others. However, driving defensively can indeed reduce the probability of you getting into a car accident in Hialeah.
For that reason, it is very important to know where to find legal help. The Ward Law Group has an exceptional team of car accident lawyers who can help you successfully navigate all the legal matters after a car accident.
Keep reading if you want to know how The Ward Law Group can represent your best interest when involved in a car accident in Hialeah. Florida Law can be overwhelming, and dealing with insurance companies can be worse. However, a Hialeah car accident attorney has excellent skills to win even the most difficult arguments.
Causes of Car Accidents in Hialeah
It is incredible the number of things that can lead to a car accident; some of them seem insignificant, but they surely make a huge impact when we measure the damages, not only monetary but in matters of quality of life and missed opportunities that can generate.
We are going to dive into some of the causes of car accidents that, over the years, have been increasing the number of fatalities all over the world, and we are also going to learn how frequent they are in Florida.
Distracted driving
It is known that only 1 second of inattention can cause an accident. When the driver engages in secondary tasks instead of paying full attention to the road, becomes drowsy due to lack of rest, or argues with a car passenger, these are just some of the possible causes of a car accident.
Everyone should know the different types of distractions in order to avoid them. When passengers notice that the driver is performing any of the following, they can take measures and ask the driver to focus on their main task.
- Visual Distraction: The driver's vision is critical when driving a motor vehicle; it MUST always be on the road, with no excuses, because anything can happen in front of them, and if they are paying attention, an evasive maneuver may save their life.
- Cognitive Distraction: Cognitive distractions are when your mind gets occupied with thoughts and takes your attention away from driving. For instance, while driving, you might start thinking about other people, unfinished office work, or your dog's mess in the living room.
Even though your eyes are on the road, your mind is elsewhere, which can affect your ability to understand things, make choices, and respond quickly to possible dangers on the road.
- Manual Distraction: There are some bad habits when driving where people improperly put their hands, risking their ability to perform a good maneuver and increasing the probability of breaking their arms if they crash into another vehicle or an object.
Every driver is recommended to use both hands, placing them at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions or slightly higher at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock.
If you are going to drive, stay away from the following distracted actions:
- Texting on the phone
- Talking over the phone
- Avoid conversation or arguing with passengers
- Avoid reading while driving
- External distractions
Drowsy driving
When we look at the number of accidents in Florida, we see many people who need to stay awake for extended periods due to their professions and work styles. When they drive, they represent a life hazard to themselves and others.
Nodding off while driving is, without a doubt, a fatal factor. Sleeping before going on a long trip is the wisest decision. The dangers associated with drowsy driving are:
- Decreased alertness
- Impaired judgment
- Sleep disorders
- Prescription meds side effects
Detecting the signs of a person who is drowsy while sleeping can be the difference between living or dying on the road, so pay attention to them so you can avoid being one number more in the statistics.
- Frequent yawning or blinking
- Difficulty keeping eyes open and focused
- Drifting or weaving within lanes
- Inconsistent speed
- Difficulty remembering the last few miles driven
- Feeling restless or irritable
Those are indicators that a person needs to rest. So, if you see your designated driver showing any of these signs, your best recommendation is to pull over and let them rest, or if you can drive, you can always share responsibilities.
Reckless driving
It is known as reckless driving when a driver performs maneuvers that attempt to the security of others on the road. The characteristics of a reckless driver are:
- Speeding in excess
- Performing aggressive maneuvers
- Tailgating
- Street racing
- Ignoring traffic signs
There are multiple motivations for why a driver acts recklessly. Every accident has its causes and consequences. Law enforcement must find out who was at fault and what caused the tortfeasor to act as he/she did.
DUI
Florida has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to impaired drivers. If a driver has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.08 or higher, they are breaking the law. It is even less if the driver is under 21 years old. A BAC of 0.02 is good enough for a driver to be arrested.
Alcohol makes drivers prone to accidents because it makes them perform reckless maneuvers, decreases reaction times, and makes them feel drowsy.
Types of Injuries
Injuries that can be sustained in a car accident vary depending on the type of accident, the speed of the vehicle, and the type of vehicle involved. It is not the same when two small cars crash laterally at less than 20 mph from another accident involving a large truck and a sedan car driving at 80 mph.
The most common injuries are:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Concussions
Car Accident Statistics in Hialeah
Hialeah, Florida, back in 2021, presented 27 fatal car accidents where 31 people died and 61 vehicles were involved. At least 50 people suffered minor to moderate injuries, and seven pedestrians were involved in car accidents.
Surprisingly, there were not any accidents caused by drunk drivers; even though that is true, we can see an increased amount of fatalities compared to 2020, so it is still alarming why people are still finding death on the roads.
In total, in Florida state, there are around 400,000 accidents every year. An estimated 160,000 people get injured, and 3,600 people die in car accidents.
Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that anyone involved in a car accident must receive compensation to cover a portion of medical expenses and lost wages.
The no-fault insurance typically covers up to 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages with a $10,000 limit.
However, most people find those limits to be very low, and therefore, there is a need for the victim to prove the negligence of the at-fault party to claim extra monetary compensation.
They can present a claim for the other driver’s liability insurance, or they can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their damages, which may also include noneconomic damages.
There is a restriction on filing a lawsuit, though. The victim must have suffered from severe injuries in order to do that. An experienced Hialeah car accident lawyer can help you gather all the information needed to prove the other driver’s fault and that your injuries are indeed serious.
Serious injury refers to at least one of the following:
- Wrongful death
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of a fetus
- Loss of a body function
- Loss of a limp
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Among others
Proving negligence can be difficult for a regular person. However, an experienced car accident lawyer in Hialeah can help you determine whether your injuries are serious.
PIP 14-Day Rule
Personal injury lawyers consistently advise people involved in car accidents to promptly seek medical attention, regardless of whether they currently experience any pain or discomfort. Obtaining a medical evaluation is crucial because certain symptoms may become apparent even days after the collision.
Additionally, adhering to a specific rule to file a claim for personal injury protection is essential. According to this rule, individuals must receive medical attention or visit the hospital within two weeks or 14 days following the accident. If they fail to follow this rule, they may not receive any money for their losses.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Hialeah Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and has incurred multiple expenses, do not hesitate to seek help from a car accident lawyer in Hialeah from The Ward Law Group. If you were the victim in the accident, you may be entitled to recover fair compensation.
With over 25 years of experience, our determined lawyers can bring justice to you and your family. Call 855-DOLOR-55 or write a message in our online chat to get a free consultation on your case. One of our lawyers will answer any questions you may have.