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Common Car Accident Scenarios In Clearwater: Causes And How Fault Is Determined

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Common Car Accident Scenarios In Clearwater: Causes And How Fault Is Determined

Car accidents in Clearwater, FL, happen for many reasons. Some of the most common causes include speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield the right-of-way. If you have been injured in a car accident, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue a personal injury claim.

Our car wreck attorneys have over 119 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. We will support you through every step of the legal process.

Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation at (727) 493-4418.

How Winters & Yonker Can Help After A Car Accident In Clearwater, FL

How Winters & Yonker Can Help After A Car Accident In Clearwater, FL

When you suffer a serious injury in a car accident, our Clearwater car accident attorneys will assist you by:

  • Examining your situation and identifying the legal claims you can raise
  • Preparing your case by collecting evidence to support your arguments
  • Negotiating to resolve your claim with the other driver’s insurance company
  • Taking the at-fault driver to court when their insurer denies liability

At Winters & Yonker, our Clearwater personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources to build a strong case for you. Car accident claims often require complex legal analysis, but we can help you understand your legal options. Beyond our extensive experience, we have been recognized by Bay Area Legal Services and Expertise.com.

Call our law office in Clearwater, Florida, to schedule a free consultation.

Liability For Car Accidents In Florida

Under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, accident victims are limited to their personal injury protection (PIP) benefits unless they exceed their PIP limits, suffer a permanent injury, or have one of the following significant, permanent injuries:

  • Loss of an important body function
  • Scars or disfigurement
  • Death

When a crash victim meets these criteria, they can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Liability in car accident cases typically depends on negligence. A driver is negligent when they fail to drive with reasonable caution under the circumstances.

This lack of ordinary care may arise from a traffic violation, such as speeding or following too closely, or from legal but dangerous acts, such as eating while driving.

Common Car Accident Scenarios In Clearwater, Florida

Florida’s annual “Crash Facts” report lists the factors that most commonly cause traffic crashes. Importantly, most crashes in the state occur with clear weather on dry roads during daylight hours. In other words, environmental factors play only a small role in car accident statistics. Instead, most result from careless or aggressive driving behaviors.

Driver negligence is often to blame in the following crash scenarios:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end crashes occur when the front of a driver’s vehicle smashes into the rear of the vehicle ahead of them. The fault for these collisions often falls on the driver of the trailing vehicle. They must control their speed to maintain a safe following distance. When they travel too fast or follow too closely, they collide with the leading vehicle, particularly in heavy, stop-and-go traffic.

Intoxicated Driving Crashes

Intoxicants like prescription medication, illegal drugs, and alcohol can affect a driver’s physical and mental state. Specifically, intoxicated drivers may experience the following symptoms:

  • Slowed reflexes
  • Poor coordination
  • Impaired judgment
  • Inability to estimate speed or distance
  • Increased impulsivity and suppressed inhibitions

As a result, intoxicated drivers might drive too fast or too slowly, weave, and make risky maneuvers. The impaired driver will bear the liability for the DUI crashes they cause. Specifically, their decision to get behind the wheel rather than finding a ride typically constitutes negligence.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted drivers fall into two categories. Inattentive drivers fail to focus on driving because of their thoughts. They might be upset, tired, or driving on autopilot. Regardless of the cause, they are unable to react to their environment, resulting in collisions.

Multitasking drivers try to split their attention between driving and another activity that occupies their hands, eyes, or minds. Examples of distractions include texting, reaching for objects, or talking on the phone.

Distracted drivers bear the liability for their crashes. Specifically, drivers in Florida are expected to focus on driving because any lapse can injure or kill other road users.

Intersection Collisions

Intersection crashes typically result from a failure to yield the right-of-way. These rules determine which drivers can proceed and which must wait. Common right-of-way violations include rolling stops at stop signs and turning in front of an approaching vehicle.

Drivers who fail to follow the right-of-way laws are liable for intersection crashes. Specifically, drivers who go out of turn end up in the path of another vehicle, resulting in a collision.

Contact Our Clearwater Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation

Your car accident might entitle you to seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurance carrier. Our experienced Clearwater car accident attorneys are here to support you. Contact Winters & Yonker for a free consultation.

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