Law enforcement officials have in their possession video footage of a Florida man crashing his car through a gate onto a drawbridge that had just opened. What was the cause of this daredevil move? Distracted driving. The 29-year-old driver of the SUV was purportedly fidgeting with his GPS when the event occurred, according to a Huffington Post news report. Miraculously no one was hurt, however, the man was still charged with reckless driving.

Car Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) each day approximately 80 people are killed on U.S. roadways. In fact in 2013, a total of 35,244 fatal car crashes occurred.

In general, the most common factors that contribute to car accidents include:

  • Drunk driving (32%)
  • Speeding (31%)
  • Distracted driving (16%)
  • Bad weather conditions (11%)
  • Other (10%)

Approximately 316,000 motor vehicle related crashes were reported in Florida in 2013, according to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicle Safety statistical archives.

Injuries suffered from car accidents can range from minor bumps and bruises to death – they are as unique as the parties involved in the incidents, and the types of injuries incurred in a car accident can vary. These injuries can be temporary or permanent, and can also include mental health issues on top of physical damage. Some injuries a person may suffer as a result of a car accident include, but are not limited to, facial injuries, traumatic brain injury, whiplash, disc bulge or herniation, broken bones and bruises as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) anxiety and depression.

Proving Fault in Your Florida Car Accident Suit

Determining which party is at fault in a car accident can be difficult. Unfortunately, coming to this conclusion does not require a look at simply which car struck the other. For this reason, it’s important to hire a knowledgeable Orlando car accident attorney who will fully investigate your case in a thorough fashion. Competent and seasoned legal counsel will dive into the record relating to the accident and seek out discovery to support your case, including witness statements and police reports. A skilled attorney will also research applicable state or municipal codes to determine liability.

Under the law, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving fault, which can be established if he or she proves that the defendant’s recklessness or negligence was the cause of the crash. The definitions of these terms are as follows:

  • Reckless – where a party knew or should have known his or her actions were likely to cause harm; or
  • Negligent – when a party breached a duty owed to another and caused harm to the person.

Common sense would dictate that establishing fault is essential, as it determines who is awarded damages and – more importantly – who is liable to pay for these damages. That being said, some states (including Florida) have no-fault rules that require the insurer to pay the insured’s damages, regardless of who is found responsible. In other words, regardless of who was at fault each party’s own insurance company would pay for damages.

Florida Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Brandon auto accident – or any other type of accident – due to another’s negligence, contact a car accident attorney today. The legal professionals at Reed & Reed will aggressively fight for the compensation to which you are entitled. From our office in Brandon, we help clients in Tampa, New Tampa, Plant City, East Hillsborough County and throughout the state of Florida. Contact Reed & Reed for a free consultation.