Liability Patterns in Florida Auto Accidents Cases Aside from Rear-End Collisions

Liability Patterns in Florida Auto Accidents Cases Aside from Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions are among the most common liability patterns West Palm Beach car accident lawyers deal with. This type of accident happens when a vehicle runs into an automobile in front of it. Rear-end collisions are so-called because one vehicle’s front collides with another automobile’s rear. This usually occurs at red lights, stop signs, and traffic jams. Many factors can cause a rear-end collision. They include speeding, distracted driving, panic stops, tailgating, DUI, and hazardous weather conditions. Depending on the severity of the crash, rear-end collisions can cause mild, moderate, or severe injuries. Common rear-end accident injuries include whiplash, back, and spinal injuries, arm injuries, broken bones, etc. While rear-end crashes are common, they aren’t the only liability patterns in West Palm Beach, Florida. This article will discuss other types of auto crash cases that may lead to liability claims in the state. However, regardless of the liability pattern, victims can benefit from a personal injury lawyer to represent them during the compensation claims process.

Common Examples of Florida Car Crash Liability Patterns Apart from Rear-End Collisions

Car accident liability patterns refer to the various ways an auto crash can lead to a liability claim. While rear-end collisions are prevalent, other accident cases result in personal injury claims, including the following:

• Sideswipe Accidents

In sideswipe accidents, two vehicles are traveling in the same direction, next to each other. Then, one automobile causes a collision by hitting its side on the side of the other car. This usually occurs due to unsafe lane changes when a vehicle leaves its travel lane without due caution or confirmation that there’s enough room to change paths. Other factors such as neglecting to check blind spots or driving near lane dividers can cause a sideswipe crash.

• Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes are another typical liability pattern in car accident cases. They happen when the front ends of two motor vehicles hit each other as they drive in opposite directions. Many people also refer to head-on accidents as frontal collisions. Head-on collisions are typically dangerous and can cause devastating injuries for victims. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2019,  57% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities resulted from frontal impacts. Common causes of head-on crashes include driver confusion, distracted driving, speeding, fatigued driving, and improper passing.

• T-Bone Collision or Side-Impact Accidents

T-bone accidents happen when an automobile’s front-end hits the side of another vehicle. Also called broadside collision, this type of crash typically forms a “T” shape at the impact point. In many cases, T-bone accidents happen when someone fails to yield the right of way to another driver. These kinds of accidents usually happen at intersections when a motorist runs a red light or disregards a stop sign. However, side collisions may also result from various forms of distracted driving. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety documents that side-impact collisions account for 23% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. Common T-bone accident injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, spinal cord damage, etc.

• Single-Car Accidents

Not every auto collision results from contact with other vehicles. A single-car accident happens when a  car hits a stationary object. This also includes accidents where a car collides with a pedestrian or animal. These accidents can be as dangerous as two or multiple vehicle collisions and fatalities. Many times, solo car crashes are the driver’s fault. For example, they may have been distracted,  fatigued, under the influence, speeding, etc. However, they can also result from another motorist’s carelessness or other factors such as slippery roadways, defective car parts, etc.

• Rollover Accidents

Rollover crashes may result in single-car collisions or involve multiple vehicles. In rollover accidents, the automobile overturns and may continue tumbling forward or sideways until it stops. There are two types of rollover crashes—tripped rollovers and un-tripped rollovers.  Tripped rollovers happen when the vehicle’s tire hits something, producing a high tripping force that alters its forward motion. Un-tripped rollovers usually occur when the motorist maneuvers while avoiding a collision. SUVs and minivans are more at risk of rollovers than passenger vehicles because they have a higher center of gravity. Although not as common as many other liability patterns, rollover accidents are among the deadliest auto crash types. They can also cause catastrophic injuries such as internal organ damage and traumatic brain injuries. While some rollovers are due to defective designs and adverse road conditions, many are from driver errors. 

• Left and Right-Hand Turn Collisions

Many accidents in West Palm Beach, Florida, occur when a driver is trying to turn left or right, especially at an intersection. Although left-hand turn crashes are more common than right-hand turn accidents, they both cause devastating consequences. These collisions usually happen because the turning driver refused to yield the right of way or miscalculated another motorist’s distance and speed. While left-turn collisions are typically the left-turning driver’s fault, the other motorist can be liable in specific situations. 

Who Is Responsible for Traffic Collisions in West Palm Beach, Florida?

When discussing liability for car accidents, the first thing to note is that Florida is a no-fault state. This means that auto crash victims are generally responsible for their injuries regardless of who caused them. While many other states mandate bodily injury liability coverage, Florida car insurance laws don’t impose it. Instead, the mandatory auto insurance for the state is $10,000 each for personal injury protection and property damage liability. However, there are some exceptions to Florida’s no-fault car insurance rules. Auto crash victims can pursue a car accident claim against a negligent party upon reaching specific injury thresholds. In such cases, the claimant must establish the at-fault party’s liability by proving the following:

• Duty of Care

Meaning that the liable party has a legal responsibility to ensure the claimant’s safety on the road.

• Breach of Duty 

A breach refers to the defendant’s failure to exercise the required duty of care by engaging in reckless activities.

• Causation 

The responsible party’s breach of duty of care caused the victim’s accident.

• Damages

The auto crash led to the claimant sustaining severe injuries and property damage. To satisfactorily prove the above elements, the claimant may need the following:

• Police reports 
• Eyewitness statements 
• Photos and videos 
• Cell phone records
• Toxicology reports 
• Expert witness testimonies 
• Favorable traffic laws 
• Black box data 

A West Palm Beach accident attorney will know how to leverage this evidence to help claimants seek the maximum compensation they need to cover their damages.

Let Us Evaluate Your Case for Free

Are you a car accident victim in West Palm Beach, Florida? Whether you were involved in a rear-end, sideswipe, head-on collision, etc., you deserve adequate financial compensation for your losses when someone else is to blame. In some cases, you may be eligible to seek damages from the at-fault party regardless of Florida’s no-fault car insurance rule. However, your success in an auto crash case may significantly depend on the quality of your auto accident lawyer. As such, contact our West Palm Beach accident lawyers at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers to set up an appointment. We are proficient in personal injury advocacy and representation. We’ll handle the legal process while you focus on recovery. Contact us at (561) 800-8000 for a free consultation today.