Causes Of Intersection Accidents
Intersections are known to be a confusing part of the road, especially if you’re not the first one to step up to the white line. The general rule of thumb is that if you arrive at an intersection at the same time as someone else, the person to the right is supposed to go first, then the second person to arrive can go, and so on. However, that doesn’t mean accidents aren’t prone at these sites. In fact, they can cause more accidents due to their complexity, especially if people aren’t familiar with intersection rules or aren’t paying attention. Here are the leading causes of intersection accidents other than not knowing intersection rules:- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- False assumption of whose turn it is
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Illegal maneuver
What To Do After an Accident
If you are ever involved in an accident, there are steps you should take to make sure your ground is covered for possible later use in your case. Here’s what you should do:Call The Police
If you are not severely hurt, call the police right away. Law enforcement will come out to the scene, observe both vehicles, speak to both parties, and write up an official report. The police report can be used later in your case as evidence, which can be a great piece for your case to win since police reports are typically unbiased.Seek Medical Attention
Even if you suffer from white-coat syndrome, it’s important to seek medical treatment regardless of if you think you’re fine. From a health standpoint, there could be some injuries you aren’t aware of that could worsen the longer you go without being checked out. From a legal standpoint, medical records can also be used as evidence since they will show the injuries you suffered from the accident.Obtain The Contact Information of the Other Driver
While you may not know if you are able to file a lawsuit just yet, you should exchange information with the other driver. The information you should collect is certainly their name and insurance information. The name will be most helpful should you find out later on that you are able to file a lawsuit. Your lawyer will likely be able to track them down by that information.Search For a Lawyer
Before you start filing a claim with your insurance, you should start looking for a lawyer. Car accidents in Florida can be legally tricky to navigate, so the assistance of a medical professional will benefit you early on. They will give you the best advice on the steps you should take, what to accept from insurance, and what rights you have for potential legal claims.File A Claim with Your Insurance
In Florida, the car accident rules are in place for you to file a claim with your insurance first thing after suffering a car accident. Whether you have collision coverage added on with your personal injury protection, it’s time to file both to see how much you can receive for financial assistance.Florida’s Modified-Comparative Rule
If you’re unsure of the depth of Florida’s car laws, it’s important to know them in case you are ever involved in an accident. Florida’s modified-comparative rule means that both parties involved in a car accident are to be held responsible for the wreck. Yes, you will be found responsible to some extent, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. The idea behind this rule is to limit the amount of car accident lawsuits appearing in court. With that in mind, it’s required in Florida for everyone to have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection and property damage liability to help with car accidents. The personal injury protection and property damage liability do not help financially for car damages. It’s only for medical bills and to help with time off work. You will need to have collision coverage if you want financial help for car damages.Possibility Of Filing a Lawsuit
Just because there is a modified-comparative rule in place does not mean the possibility of filing a lawsuit doesn’t exist. There are ways you can step out of the no-fault system if you meet the following requirements.- Your medical bills exceed a certain limit
- You have suffered a severe injury from the accident
- Death
- Lifelong medical assistance
- Scarring
- Dismemberment
- Life-altering bodily function
