Despite its relatively small size, Florida has some of the busiest highways in the United States. For many Floridians, highways symbolize the freedom of the open road and ease of getting from one place to another. However, with so many vehicles on the highways at a time, understanding the most common kinds of accidents on these roadways is crucial to protecting yourself while traveling. The following blog explores what you must know about these collisions, the compensation you can recover, and how a Broward County auto accident lawyer can assist you through these challenging times.
What Accidents Impact Those On Highways Most Often?
By far, the most common collisions that occur on highways are rear-end crashes. As the name suggests, these happen when the front end of one vehicle collides with the back end of the car in front of them. These are often the result of drivers not paying attention in traffic, as the slow pace and proximity to other vehicles can increase the risk of an accident. However, when the driver following the car in front is too close or tailgating, they can cause a crash as they may not have time to stop if they are not at a safe following distance. Because it is the responsibility of the following driver to ensure there is adequate space between themselves and the car traveling ahead of them, they are almost always liable for the collision.
Also common on highways are sideswipe collisions. Because vehicles travel side by side, it is more common for these collisions to occur on these roadways. Generally, if one driver is not paying attention, driving in an unsafe manner, or operating the vehicle under the influence, they can drift from their lane into the one adjacent, causing a collision. Additionally, if a driver does not take steps to ensure they can safely switch lanes, they can cause an accident. Drivers should use their blinkers to indicate they wish to enter a lane and check to ensure there are no vehicles in their blind spot before moving into the new lane.
What Damages Can I Recover If I’m the Victim of a Car Crash?
If you are the victim of a car accident, understanding the compensation you can recover for the damages you’ve sustained is critical. Generally, you will be eligible for economic damages. These act as a reimbursement and future payment for actual damages you’ve suffered and will continue to suffer. This includes medical bills, any wages lost due to taking time off work to heal, and the cost of medical equipment. Additionally, you can seek non-economic damages, which represent more subjective impacts, like humiliation, pain and suffering, or disfigurement.
To recover this compensation, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, trying to navigate a personal injury lawsuit while healing from the injuries you sustained in the accident can be overwhelming. As such, the team at the Finizio Law Group will do everything possible to assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve when injured at the hands of a negligent party. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case.
