If you live in Lakeland or Polk County and were involved in an accident, you may have been injured. Auto accident injuries can result in medical bills, pain, suffering, and lost income. Kevin L. Sullivan II a Lakeland car accident attorney, can help clients who are injured because of someone else’s negligence.
Nobody wants to be involved in a car accident. Most of us think we’ll never be in one. However, nearly 1.25 million people are killed in road accidents every year. That’s an average of 3,287 deaths per day. Additionally, 20-50 million people are injured or disabled. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, over 400,000 car accidents occur in Florida each year, averaging 1,100 crashes per day.
It is best to be prepared with these numbers and know what to do in the event of an accident. You should also have a skilled attorney to assist you if you need legal assistance.
Lakeland car accidents are often caused by negligence. Unsafe driving and drunk driving are two common causes of car accidents. According to the United States Department of Transportation, young drivers are more prone to unsafe driving practices that can lead to accidents.
The USDT reports that drunk drivers make up a significant portion of those driving unsafely. In the last five years, over a quarter of Americans have been involved in a car accident.
Even minor collisions can have catastrophic consequences, such as head or brain injuries or burns. Auto accident injuries can leave victims with medical bills, suffering, and lost income.
Law enforcement can provide a report on auto accidents that occur in Lakeland to all parties involved. These reports must be requested within sixty days after the accident. How to obtain a report on a car crash depends on the branch of law enforcement that responded to it.
For accidents handled by the Lakeland Police Department, the Records Section can be contacted. The Records Section is located at 219 North Massachusetts Ave in Lakeland. You must first fill out the Sworn Statement Crash Report before requesting a copy. This form can also be found on the Lakeland Police Department’s website.
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of crashes. Distracted driving occurs when someone engages in another activity while driving. This can include eating, talking, singing, or trying to calm down the children in the backseat.
Other reasons for car accidents include:
The list above shows that even though we take all precautions, we may still be at risk of a car accident due to external factors. By taking certain measures, such as not driving at night, obeying the speed limit, and maintaining your vehicle properly, you can reduce your risk. Did you know?
– Even if you follow all the rules, you will not be alone on the road
– There are millions of cars on US roads every day
– Most accidents happen within three miles of your home
– Alcohol is involved in 40% of fatal car crashes
A Lakeland car accident attorney suggest following certain procedures if you are involved in an accident:
Stay Calm : Remain calm, regardless of fault. Avoid anger and panic. Remember that it was an accident, which means no one intended for it to happen.
Safety First: If you’re involved in a minor crash, safety comes first. To avoid further collisions, move the cars involved and all the people on site to a safe location. If the cars can’t be moved, all drivers must remain in their cars with their seat belts fastened until help arrives. Be sure to turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers know you’re not moving.
Call for Medical Assistance: Call for medical help if possible, especially if anyone in the accident is bleeding or feels faint. It is better to be cautious than to deal with chronic pain and injury later. Do not move an injured person; wait for medical help to arrive, as they will know how to prevent further injury.
Contact the Police: Once you are sure everyone is safe and medical help is on its way (if necessary), call the police. They will be able to record any infractions of traffic laws and make notes about the accident.
Do Not Admit Fault: Do not admit fault or give an insurance company a statement before you have contacted your Lakeland car accident attorney.
Photograph the Scene: Take as many photos as you can of the scene. Capture the whole area, not just the cars. Your photos should tell the whole story. Take pictures of road conditions, traffic lights, traffic signs, and any other natural obstacles. These photos will later be used to back up your statements, allowing the case to be settled faster.
You can sue the driver who caused your injury if the accident is not covered by the no-fault scheme. According to Florida Statutes 95.11, you have a two-year period to file the lawsuit. This means the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the accident date. There are rare exceptions that may allow this deadline to be extended. However, in most cases of car accidents, if you fail to file your case within the specified time period, you will not be able to seek compensation.
Florida law states that you must notify the authorities if there is damage to property or a person involved in an accident. According to Florida Statutes 316.065, a crash involving property damage greater than $500 must be reported.
If the accident occurs within a municipality, it must be reported to the local police department. If the accident occurs outside of a municipality, you must notify the Florida Highway Patrol or the Office of the County Sheriff.
Contact our accident lawyer firm immediately to get top-notch legal assistance from our best personal injury lawyers. Kevin L. Sullivan II has a proven track record of securing the maximum compensation for our clients’ injuries. Reach out today to ensure you receive the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
