First Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Car accidents are more common than any of us would like to believe. 77% of […]
Highway Car Crash Attorney in Jacksonville
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Serious–even fatal–car crashes can happen anywhere. However, there are some factors that can make a Florida highway accident especially dangerous. One of the most significant is the higher rate of speed on highways. Higher-speed collisions are more likely to result in serious injury or death. That’s because higher rates of speed increase the impact of the collision, often meaning more damage to the vehicle, more force transferred to the occupants, and decreased effectiveness of safety equipment.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida highway accident or have lost a loved one to a highway crash, you should speak with a Jacksonville car accident lawyer right away. The sooner your car crash lawyer can get started, the better opportunity they will have to gather evidence, talk to witnesses while memories are fresh, and build the strongest possible case for you.
To schedule a free consultation with a Harrell & Harrell injury attorney, call 904-251-1111 right now or fill out our contact form.
Liability for Florida Highway Accidents
Most highway accidents, like most other motor vehicle accidents, are caused at least in part by someone’s negligence. Some common types of negligence that contribute to highway accidents include:
Speeding
Distracted Driving
Following Too Close
When the following car is exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions, they will close the gap between them and the car in front. A car traveling at a high rate of speed also requires a greater distance to stop, meaning that they are less likely to be able to act in time to avoid a collision.
At highway speeds, a vehicle covers a lot of ground in a very short time. The default speed limit for a Florida highway is 55 mph, and some have speed limits as high as 70 mph. At 70 mph, a car covers more than 100 feet in a single second. Most sources estimate that the “quick glance” to read a text message takes the driver’s eyes off the road for three to five seconds.
Safe following distance is a key factor in avoiding traffic crashes, and that distance increases at higher speeds because stopping distance is greater at higher speeds. Most experts recommend a three to four second gap between cars, meaning that after the car in front of you passes a fixed point like a road sign, it should take you three or four seconds to reach that same landmark. At 70 mph, that’s a space of 300-400+ feet between vehicles.
Of course, these are just a few examples. Florida drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles with care so as not to injure others or damage their property. That includes following traffic safety laws and regulations like obeying the speed limit and not texting while driving, but there are many other types of driver negligence. Some other examples include:
- Driving while too tired to operate the vehicle safely
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs that cause impairment
- Operating a vehicle that has not been maintained in safe working condition
- Driving too fast for conditions, even if not exceeding the speed limit
- Changing lanes without signaling
Damages in Florida Highway Crash Cases
Every car accident case is different, so we can’t give you a complete list here of the damages you may be entitled to. The best way to get personalized information about the possible compensation available in your case is to talk to a car accident lawyer. In general terms, some of the most common types of damages awarded include:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses associated with the accident
- Compensation for anticipated future or ongoing medical expenses
- Reimbursement for other costs made necessary by the accident, such as home modifications, household help, or accessible vehicles
- Replacement of income lost due to the accident
- Compensation for anticipated loss of future earnings
- Compensation for pain and suffering
What if More than One Party Was Negligent?
It’s not unusual for two or more drivers to be negligent at the same time. For example, one driver may carelessly change lanes in front of an SUV, without either signaling or properly checking for oncoming traffic. At the same time, the oncoming SUV may be traveling considerably faster than the speed limit. A Jacksonville jury might find that both drivers were partly responsible for the crash since the driver of the SUV might have been able to stop in time to avoid the collision if they hadn’t been speeding.
When that happens, the injured party may still recover damages, but only if they were not more than half responsible. And, the compensation available will be decreased to account for the percentage of fault attributed to them.
In some cases, there may also be a third party who wasn’t involved in the accident but still shares responsibility. Some examples include:
- Another driver on the road who wasn’t involved in the crash, but did something wrong that caused one of the drivers involved to swerve or take other evasive action, leading to the crash
- Another driver on the road who was responsible for an obstacle, such as a truck with improperly secured cargo that dropped debris in the path of another vehicle
- The manufacturer of a vehicle or vehicle part, if a defect in the vehicle or part caused or contributed to the accident
Identifying All Possible Responsible Parties after a Highway Accident
When you’re pursuing compensation for a Florida highway accident, you’ll want to be sure all parties who may share responsibility for your injuries are identified. Leaving someone out could cut down the amount of compensation available to you. Of course, the burden will be on you to prove that each responsible party was negligent or was responsible under some other legal theory. That’s a task best undertaken by an experienced Jacksonville auto accident lawyer.
To learn more about how an experienced car crash lawyer at Harrell & Harrell can help, call us today at 904-251-1111 or fill out our contact form.
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Testimonials
I had an auto accident but did not believe there was going to be a positive outcome, as the opposing insurance companies fought the process. However, Lauralee Rodriguez assured me that she would be persistent in the case, if I would be patient. Well, I was patient (as well as doubtful, lol), but SHE DID IT and SHE DID IT WELL!!! I am very satisfied with the service and the outcome of the case. GREAT FIRM!!! Thank you Harrell & Harrell for employing competent staff.
