How Accident Reconstruction May Help Prove a Car Crash Case
There are an average of six million car accidents in the United States every year. The good news is that means car accidents are pretty rare. The bad news is you still don’t know when or if you’ll be in one. When an accident happens, how do you know who was at fault? What happens if someone is injured? How reliable are your witnesses? Accident reconstruction might help in cases where details aren’t clear or someone was injured. It can mean the difference between taking the blame for an accident and being absolved of fault.
Read on to learn how the accident reconstruction process can help you after an accident.
Uses Information Already Collected
The first reason that an accident reconstruction is a good idea is that it uses evidence that’s already been collected. Information such as eyewitness accounts, photographs, and police reports are all considered to recreate the accident digitally.
Eyewitness accounts help because it gives experts an idea of what things looked like to someone not involved in the accident. Photographs perfect this by showing the damage done to the cars and the angles that they hit each other. Finally, police reports give an official record of what was said at the time of the accident.
All of these materials can create an accurate digital depiction of the events of the accident. This is extremely useful in determining who is at fault when an accident happens.
Can Shed Light on Foggy Details
Why would you need to prove who was at fault in an accident in the first place? The issue is that there are a handful of reasons why fault might not be immediately clear when an accident happens. If this is the case, then it’s important to get an accurate reconstruction for the courts.
No Witnesses
If there aren’t any witnesses, then it’s down to the parties involved to remember what happened. However, the human brain isn’t always as good at remembering these things as most people would like to believe. Witnesses can often verify important information that the involved parties can’t.
There are two types of accidents without witnesses. The first is when any witnesses left the scene before authorities could get there. The second is when there was no one else on the street.
Both scenarios make it difficult to find reliable sources with knowledge of what happened. This means that authorities can’t verify certain details to establish fault. The only evidence the involved parties have in these cases is photographs and the police report.
When that happens, it’s important to get an accurate recreation of the accident based on the photographs and police reports. This can then be examined to determine fault.
Conflicting Details
Even if there are witnesses, anyone who wasn’t in the cars involved doesn’t know what the parties involved were thinking. There could have been an attempt to avoid an accident that went badly, for example. Or they may have been mistaken about who had right of way.
This often results in conflicting details about the accident. If both parties are certain that it was their turn to cross an intersection at the same time, then how do you determine who’s at fault? You simply can’t rely on verbal reports and witness testimony for every detail.
That’s where an accident reconstruction comes in handy. It helps determine exactly who was where at the time of the accident and how the accident occurred in the first place. With any luck, this can determine if someone wasn’t where they should be or wasn’t following the speed limit.
Involved Parties Can’t Remember Events
Shock is extremely common immediately following an accident. Your brain tries to process what just happened to you, and sometimes muddles things when it does. If there are injuries, then this effect only increases.
This leads to the involved parties misremembering details. They may not even recall certain details well. An uncertain witness isn’t useful evidence in a courtroom.
If this is the case, then authorities can’t be sure of exactly what happened. They need a clear picture of the accident as it happened to establish fault. Only then can someone be issued a ticket or arrested.
The good news is that a digital accident reconstruction provides this for them. Based on the position of the cars and damage to them, they can get an idea of how the accident happened. This helps determine fault, so the right people get blamed for any damages and injuries.
Parties Require Hospitalization for Serious Injuries After An Auto Accident
Another common issue after a major accident is serious injuries. Sometimes the person isn’t physically able to respond and needs to be taken to the hospital before they can be questioned. In other cases, one party may be deceased at the scene.
It’s important to get all sides of the story when an accident occurs. If one of the involved parties is unable to give a response for a prolonged period, then authorities must use the rest of the evidence available to determine fault. Furthermore, in some cases, neither party may be responsive enough to answer questions about the accident.
Accident reconstruction experts can use photographs and other pieces of evidence to show how the cars were moving when the accident happened. This helps authorities investigating the accident scene determine why the accident happened and who is responsible for it. This can also be presented to insurance companies when making a car crash claim.
Get an Accident Reconstruction Today
The accident reconstruction process uses a lot of physical evidence gathered from the scene of the accident. It allows authorities to better see what happened to cause the accident. In other words, if the accident wasn’t your fault, then this proves it.
Even if you have this evidence, however, it’s still always a good idea to hire a car accident lawyer. Here at Rhino Lawyers, we’ll guide you through the legal process to get you the best possible outcome.
Contact us today to get the best legal advice possible.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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What Is Reckless Driving and Do I Need a Lawyer?
Are you wondering whether you need a lawyer after an accident?
Reckless driving results in around 6 million accidents on U.S. roads every year. These lead to millions of injuries and hundreds of thousands of fatalities. As such, the law requires people to avoid reckless driving whenever possible.
If you’ve driven in a reckless fashion, you may need an attorney. But many drivers don’t know what counts as reckless driving. Below, we’ll get into the different types of reckless driving. This will help you determine whether you need a car accident lawyer. Keep reading to learn more!
Reckless Driving: A Basic Definition
Reckless driving means operating a vehicle in a manner that is not careful or prudent.
Wise drivers take the dangers of the road into account when they get behind the wheel. They’re able to judge their position on the road as well as the curves and angles they need to navigate. They know the relevant driving laws in the United States and are able to drive in a way that prevents accidents.
To avoid reckless driving, people need to get their driver’s license. Getting your driver’s license provides you with the proper education about laws and the best driving techniques. When followed, these laws can help you avoid accidents and stay out of legal trouble due to reckless driving.
Reckless driving endangers lives, but you don’t need to be in an accident to get charged. If another driver notices you driving recklessly, they can report you to the authorities. Likewise, an officer can pull you over and issue you a fine or suspend your license.
Driving Under the Influence
One of the most common types of careless driving is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Substances impair your ability to make the good, quick judgments necessary while driving.
They can also mess with your ability to drive in a straight line. Those who know they’re under the influence might drive significantly under the speed limit to keep themselves from getting in trouble. This can cause an accident since the other drivers are going faster.
Your spatial awareness also isn’t operating at peak performance if you’re drunk or high. Your reflexes also aren’t working as quickly. So, you’re more likely to hit another car and cause a serious accident.
Many people who are high or drunk overestimate their ability to operate a vehicle. So, it’s best to ask a friend to drive you home or use a transportation service if you’ve been drinking or taking drugs.
Criminal Charges and Driving Under the Influence
People who drive under the influence can get fined or incur criminal charges.
If you’ve received criminal allegations for driving under the influence, you’ll need a lawyer to help with your defense case. Hire one as soon as possible so your case can have the best potential outcome!
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the easiest form of reckless driving to partake in. As a driver, you have the legal obligation to keep your attention focused on the road at all times, even if there’s something else taking your attention away.
As such, many areas have banned distracting activities such as texting while you drive. You also shouldn’t use your phone at all unless you can do so in a hands-free way. Even changing the radio station or turning to face passengers in the backseat can cause a distraction.
As such, it’s always best to pull over if something needs to get addressed immediately. Otherwise, texts, calls, and all other forms of distraction can wait.
Distractions can also come from the outside. For instance, most drivers slow down to look at an accident or interesting roadside views. Yet, these can lead to accidents, so it’s best to avoid them.
Swerving Through Traffic
Swerving through traffic constitutes a third form of reckless driving. People swerve for several reasons. First, they may do it when there’s a lot of traffic and they don’t want to wait in long lines. Second, some do it when they’re about to miss an exit and need to move several lanes over.
Yet, swerving is never worth it unless you’re doing it to avoid an accident. You could end up getting fined or in a serious accident.
Instead of swerving, look for alternate routes to your final destination. This should get you out of traffic faster or help you re-route yourself after missing an exit.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
If you’ve run a red light or stop sign, you’ve driven in a reckless fashion. Some people do this on accident, but others blow through traffic stops so they can get to their destination faster.
To avoid running red lights and stop signs, you should make sure you’re directing the proper amount of attention to road signs and fixtures. Watch for people stopping ahead of you as well. This might alert you to a stop sign or red light you don’t see yet.
Drag Racing
Drag racing may sound fun, but it’s a sure way to get in trouble with the law or get in a huge accident. Racing on public roads gets dangerous because racers do not follow the laws or go with the flow of traffic. Instead, they often cut people off and create hazardous road conditions.
Street racing can earn you thousands of dollars in fines and some time in jail.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
If you’ve received a criminal charge for reckless driving, you’ll need to hire a lawyer.
A good lawyer will take a look at your case and help you best navigate it. They’ll gather evidence to use in your favor in the court and try to get you acquitted or lessen your sentence.
Ready to Hire a Lawyer?
If you’ve read this and determined your situation was brought about by reckless driving, you should start looking for a lawyer as soon as possible.
The right legal professional will have years of experience working with clients like you. They’ll have a great reputation for practicing in their area as well.
Our team meets both of those objectives. If you need a lawyer today, contact us to learn more about what we can do to help you!
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at (844) RHINO-77.
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Can I Recover Compensation if the At-Fault Driver Dies in the Crash?
Each year, car accidents injure up to 50 million people and cause approximately 1.3 million fatalities. While car accidents can be stressful and traumatic. There are certain legal procedures that follow. Evaluating the damages, determining fault, and investigating for illegal activity. Are all part of the process. If you’re involved in a car accident where the at-fault driver died, you might be wondering if you can still recover compensation. Getting the right legal advice will help you in this delicate situation.
Keep reading to learn about your rights to compensation and where to find the best legal help.
Can You Hold a Driver Responsible for an Accident if They Died?
After an accident, it is important that everyone involved either get compensation or take the responsibility for the damages.
This is true even in accidents where the driver who died, was also responsible for the accident. They might have been driving recklessly, driving while intoxicated, or using electronics while driving.
When this happens, the person’s assets belong to their family members. Therefore, it is still possible to file a claim against the family. Whether the individual had a will or beneficiaries, you are entitled to a portion of their assets as compensation for damages on your side. If you sustained injuries, emotional trauma, and lost wages from time off work, you have the right to compensation.
How You Can Prove You Were Not at Fault
Gathering evidence after an accident is crucial if you want to make a claim. It is also important to involve your accident lawyer right away. The sooner you get the right legal help, the more likely it is that you will get the necessary compensation.
A lawyer who focuses on auto accidents can also help you navigate the complicated legal and administrative processes after an accident.
Here are some of the important steps to take to gather evidence after an accident to prove that you were not at fault:
- Check for witnesses at the scene of the accident
- Get names and phone numbers of the witnesses
- Take photos and videos of the damages and the accident scene
- Check for surveillance cameras in the surrounding area
- Get checked by a doctor right away
- Get evidence from police reports
These are important steps that will help make your case stronger. You will need to provide your legal team with medical and police reports in order to put together your claim.
Your lawyer can then help put their pieces of the accident together and create a letter for you that states the following:
- The details of the damages you are claiming
- The dollar amount that you are demanding for your claim
- The evidence that states why you are entitled to these damages
With this information, the lawyer can present your letter to the deceased person’s family lawyer to begin the legal process. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be. This is especially important in the case of the other driver being deceased.
What You Can Claim After a Fatal Accident That Was Not Your Fault
There are several important factors to consider when claiming compensation for car crashes. Assessing the damage the accident has caused you will be much like an accident where no one died, but the other driver was at fault.
Recovering accident damages means assessing the physical, mental, and emotional ways that the accident has affected your life. From trips to the mechanic to medical expenses, there are many things to consider.
Here are some of the claims that you can include to strengthen your demand for compensation:
- Physical pains from injuries caused by the car accident
- Emotional suffering or PTSD as a result of the accident
- Replacing or fixing your car
- Replacing items that were in your car during the accident
- Cost of ambulance and paramedics
- Medical expenses for treatment, rehabilitation, and medication
- Taking time off work for recovery and medical treatment
- Legal and administrative fees following the accident
- On-going medical care and treatment
- Previous medical conditions exacerbated by the accident
These are some of the damages that are important to claim if you want to fully recover compensation for your pain and suffering. A car accident can affect each person in a different way. Take the time to consider how the accident has changed the trajectory of your life and ensure that it is obvious when listing your damages.
How You Can Recover Compensation
With the right legal team, you can get compensation for the damages.
It is important that you see a doctor right after your accident to document all injuries and help with your legal case. Whether you’ve sustained major or minor injuries, you need to ensure that these are documented for your damages claim. Some minor injuries can also lead to major health problems in the future and you need to keep documentation of this.
A trusted car accident lawyer will help you with filing an insurance claim so you will need as much evidence as possible. Legal help will help you get the claim that you deserve.
Knowing Your Rights After a Fatal Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming, especially if someone has died as a result. Knowing your rights means understanding that you can recover compensation even if the at-fault driver died. Getting helpful legal advice will be crucial in assessing your damages and filing a claim against the deceased.
If you’re involved in a car accident, visit our website and schedule a free video consultation with one of our skilled lawyers.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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Could Data Collected From an Insurance Tracking Device Be Used to Devalue Your Claim?
If you own a car like most Americans, shopping for car insurance that provides the best coverage at an affordable rate can be challenging. Many insurance companies offer a discount for using an insurance tracking device. As the consumer, this seems like a win because if you don’t have any accidents, you’re saving money.
Yet, insurance tracking devices can be used against you when it matters. After all, these devices collect information about your driving habits. If you happen to be in an accident, they can use this data when determining your claim amount.
Understanding how an insurance tracking device can affect you is critical. Here is what you need to know about an insurance tracking device.
How Does an Insurance Tracking Device Work?
When you select to participate in insurance tracking, the company will track your driving in two ways. The first way is with a telematics device that plugs into your car to collect data. The second way is with an app used on your mobile device.
Data That Is Being Collected With an Insurance Tracking Device
While each company will have its own rules around what information is being tracked, they will analyze several driving habits. Insurance tracking devices collect information about your speed, acceleration, and braking, for starters.
If you are driving fast in areas of low speed, this data could be used against you. If you frequently stop or hard break, this can negatively impact you if you have a claim.
Another data the insurance tracking device collects is how often you drive. Mileage is a crucial measurement of how often you are at risk of an accident. The more miles you drive, the more chances you could be in an accident. Additional data collected through an insurance tracking device are sharp turns, phone usage, and the time of day you drive.
For example, if you drive between 12 am-5 am, insurance companies may view that as a high risk for an auto accident. During those hours, more people tend to drink and drive low visibility, and there is more chance for drivers being tired during these hours.
How Are Insurance Companies Using Data from the Insurance Tracking Device?
Insurance companies are using data from an insurance tracking device in many ways. They can use this data to determine your rates.
For instance, say you are paying one rate for a 6-month insurance term and decide to use the tracking device. Your rates could increase based on your driving habits on your new term.
Insurance companies may also use your driving data and share that information with affiliate marketers. Since these devices need your location-enabled, it is a possibility that you are sharing your data with a third party.
Insurance companies have used data from tracking devices for accidents and claims. Insurers can learn more about the time of an accident and use the device to determine what happened. As a driver, you should understand the raw data from the insurance tracking device, which can have a negative impact on you.
How Insurance Tracking Programs Affect a Car Accident Claim
When you sign up for an insurance tracking device program, you are granting your insurance company permission to use any data collected to resolve a claim. It is essential to be aware of this as the data gathered can devalue or even deny your claim.
One of the main ways insurance companies retain their profits is to minimize their claims. If you are involved in an auto accident and file a claim against a driver that hit you, the insurance company will gather any evidence. Since there aren’t clear regulations on who can access your driving data, an opposing insurance company can gain access to this data.
The opposing insurance company could use this data to say you were accelerating too quickly or using your phone during the accident if that insurance company can show that you had any fault in the accident that could reduce your claim amount.
You want to consider the risk of using an insurance tracking device because it can provide skewed data. The only information it is collecting is about you and your car. It doesn’t consider other drivers, pedestrians, or any other external factor that could affect your driving habits.
For example, if you were trying to avoid an accident and slammed on brakes, the insurance tracking device wouldn’t recognize that you were a defensive driver. The raw data they collect would only show aggressive braking.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Insurance companies use the data collected from insurance tracking and a specified formula to determine your settlement amount after a car accident.
Yet, this data and formula do not calculate the long-term impact of a car accident on you.
A personal injury lawyer can help because they know a fair settlement amount based on medical expenses, lost wages, mental trauma, and more. That’s why it is always a good idea to contact a lawyer for advice about insurance tracking device usage and how it can affect your claim.
Legal Advice You Can Trust
If you have used an insurance tracking device and have been in an accident, your next steps will make all the difference. Your insurance company can devalue or deny your claim based on data collected by the tracking device.
By contacting our skilled attorneys, we can listen and understand how to build the best case to maximize your compensation for your losses. Contact us today so we can get started working for you.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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How Insurers Mislead Crash Victims About Hiring an Attorney
In 2019, there were 4.5 million car crash injuries that required medical attention. For each personal injury after a car crash, there were medical bills and treatments.
Who pays for those expenses? Of course, it’s the reason you have car insurance and the reason you hope the person who hit you also has car insurance.
It’s likely that every time a car crash injury occurs, there’s an insurance company that will need to pay out. Here’s the dirty little secret, insurance companies like you to think they are there to protect your interests, but in reality, they don’t like to pay money out in claims.
Often, in fact, they’ll work hard to avoid having to pay or work to pay the bare minimum to you. So, if you want advice about car crash injuries, it’s smart to get a lawyer.
Read on to learn how insurers mislead car crash victims and why you need to consult a personal injury lawyer to handle your case.
Thinking of Going It Alone? Why You Need to Get an Attorney
For many victims of car accidents and resulting injuries, they assume the insurance company will automatically do right by them. In fact, many victims may start out trying to deal with their insurance company on their own.
This is what the insurance company hopes you’ll do. Then they can make you a settlement offer quickly and hope you’ll accept it.
While you might be facing medical bills and be anxious to get funds from insurance, you might not fully know all of your expenses right away. Most people, who are not lawyers, don’t fully realize all the things that can be a part of an accident claim.
This is what the insurance company is banking on. They can get you to agree to their first early and low offer.
The opposite is also possible without the help of an attorney. If you have multiple insurance companies involved in your claim, nobody wants to pay. Or they expect the other insurance company to pay. Meanwhile, you need to wait while the sides tussle it out.
Be Prepared to Handle the Insurance Company
After an injury accident, the last thing you need is to deal with a difficult insurance company or one that’s not straightforward.
So, you need to have your guard up for the potentially misleading statements. Let’s take a look at some things an insurance company might say to you to get you to avoid hiring an attorney.
The Lawyer Will Take A Big Chunk of Your Settlement
First, any honest attorney will tell you if they think you’d be better off without an attorney.
The insurance company knows they will get away with offering you less if you don’t have an attorney. On the flip side, an experienced personal injury lawyer will know all the things that should be a part of your claim. This might include things like compensation for missed work or money for your pain and suffering.
Will you need to pay an attorney? Yes, but you’ll be paying for their experience. Which, in the long run, will get you a larger settlement.
The Insurance Company Will Look Out for Your Best Interest
If you hear an insurance adjuster say this to you, it should alarm you. Remember, who the insurance adjuster works for, the insurance company.
It’s their job to look out for the insurance company, hoping to pay out as little as possible, not you. When the insurance company employs them, they can’t be looking out for your best interest.
Your Claim Value Is the Same With or Without an Attorney
Here’s the problem with that statement, you don’t know what you claim is really worth. The insurance adjuster and the personal injury lawyer can figure out what it’s worth because they have experience.
If the insurance adjuster tells you your claim is worth a certain amount, you are taking a leap of faith that they are including all they should in the claim.
The truth is that an experienced attorney will know all the things that should be included in your claim and hold the insurance accountable for including those in your claim. Some of those things include:
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of future medical care
- Punitive damages
They can include things like lost wages for caregivers and make sure you have all the rehabilitative care you might need too.
The Claims Process Will Slow Down With an Attorney
While your attorney will want to gather evidence and consider all the facts and that takes time, the truth is that often an attorney can speed up the process, especially if the insurance company is giving the brush off.
The attorney can put together a concrete settlement package with a timeline attached to it. This means the insurance has to respond and keep things moving along.
The Insurance Company Will Need an Attorney If You Hire One
Don’t let the threat of them hiring an attorney dissuade you from protecting yourself. First, your attorney is likely going to negotiate with the adjuster.
If the case goes to trial, the insurance company will bring in its attorney. Be assured, they already have an attorney at their disposal if the case proceeds, don’t let this empty threat throw you off.
Accept This Offer or We’ll Withdraw All Offers
The insurance company is obligated to pay its claims and do so in good faith. They can’t refuse to pay a claim if you’re insured. This is often an empty threat to get you to accept an early offer.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Protect Your Interests
Personal injury cases from an auto accident can get complicated quickly when there are multiple insurance companies involved.
The average person doesn’t have the knowledge to understand all that can be included in a claim. They also don’t have the necessary experience to negotiate the best possible settlement.
Because this is what a personal injury attorney does all the time, they won’t be intimidated or fooled by the insurance company’s tactics.
Avoid Insurance Company Trickery After Car Crash Injuries
Car crash injuries are awful and can really throw your whole life into a tailspin. You deserve the right compensation for your accident claim.
Have you been in an accident with injuries? We can help you handle the insurance company and get you the settlement you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review and we’ll get started working on your behalf.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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Willful Car Collisions in Hillsborough County
An average of 254 hit-and-run fatalities happens each year in Florida, with that number only continuing to rise. Most people can’t imagine hitting another person or car with their vehicle and then fleeing the scene. Unfortunately, it happens more than you think. Protecting yourself from willful car collisions is important when you’re driving on the road. You need to think about so many things when you’re operating a car. Unfortunately, you have to worry about the other people on the road as well.
This guide will go over ways to prevent being in a car accident, especially if a negligent driver caused it. Be proactive and find ways to protect yourself and your car when you encounter negligent drivers.
Don’t Get Confrontational
If you were in a car accident and didn’t cause it, your first instinct might be to get out of your vehicle and confront the other party. In many situations, that’s not the greatest idea. The negligent driver might be under the influence, resulting in them being dangerous or aggressive.
If you can see that the other driver is behaving erratically, it’s best not to make eye contact with them or confront them. If they approach your car, stay inside and keep the doors locked. Notify the police immediately.
Watch Out for Distracted Drivers
It seems that more and more distractions get added to vehicles every year. From in-car WiFi to smart systems, plenty of things are going on inside a car to capture someone’s attention.
To protect yourself from distracted drivers, you first need to notice them. Seeing a phone in their hand or another type of distraction in their vehicle is a sure sign they’re not paying full attention to the road. You’ll notice that they’re distracted most of the time based on how the car is moving.
Look out for drivers who are:
- Erratically or needlessly changing their speed
- Going much slower or faster than the speed limit
- Unpredictably weaving throughout traffic
- Stopping longer than necessary at a stop sign or traffic light
- Not staying in their lane
The driver could be under the influence or fatigued, but they could also be distracted. If you start to notice a distracted driver, there are a few things you should do. They are:
- Keep your car as far away from them as you can
- Assume that they’re unaware of everything around them
- Try to get past them, or slow down so they can get ahead
Your goal should be to keep you and your vehicle as far away from the distracted driver as you can. You want to minimize how much risk you’re exposed to.
Be Wary of Tailgaters
We’ve all had cars that follow us so closely that we can’t see their headlights in our rearview mirror. There are a variety of reasons a person will tailgate you. They’re not necessarily important when thinking about how to protect yourself.
While you can’t control the other driver, you can reduce how much of a threat they pose to you. No matter how tempting, don’t slam on your brakes. That’s a dangerous tactic for every vehicle involved.
Take a deep breath and stay focused on driving. Check your speed to ensure you’re not driving considerably slower than the speed limit. Give them room to pass you, if needed.
If you can, pull over to the side of the road. Sometimes there’s no way to win with a tailgater. Getting out of their way is essential to protecting yourself and your car.
Watch Out for Inebriated Drivers
Drunk driving is incredibly dangerous. In addition to carrying with it all the risks that reckless drivers have, you also have to deal with a driver whose judgment is impaired. Drunk drivers show the same signs as distracted drivers.
You should respond to a drunk driver the same way as you would a distracted one. Create as much distance as you can between your vehicle and theirs.
Don’t try to stop them or get their attention by yelling or honking. Doing so will increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. Police officers and emergency service workers are trained to deal with drunk drivers.
If you can, make note of the car’s license plate, make, color, and model. Pull over and contact emergency services to report the drunk driver. Tell the dispatcher the following items:
- You want to report a drunk driver
- Describe the car
- Give the nearest cross-streets
- Describe the driver’s behavior
Once you’ve made the call, you’ve done everything you needed to. You’ve reported the driver to the proper authorities. You’ve also removed yourself out of harm’s way.
Don’t Lend Negligent Drivers Your Car
Prevention is also another way to protect yourself and others from willful car collisions. If you know someone is a reckless driver, or that they’re under the influence, don’t let them get behind the wheel. Lending someone your car puts yourself and your property at risk.
Have Car Insurance
Auto accidents do happen even if you do your best to avoid negligence on the road. Having car insurance is essential to protecting yourself financially. Your insurance company will cover medical costs, car repairs, and other items if you’re in a car accident.
Additionally, you should also have health insurance. While car insurance does cover some medical costs, health insurance will provide you with added benefits. While you can’t always avoid reckless drivers, you can protect yourself as much as possible.
NEED Help With Willful Car Collisions
Being mindful of the other drivers on the road is essential to avoiding willful car collisions. Unfortunately, car collisions do happen. It’s vital to have an experienced auto accident attorney on your side.
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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What Happens When a Driver Accepts a Plea Deal for a DUI?
One of the worst things you might think of happening to you is getting a DUI.
Florida has plenty of people that pay the price for this, with over 32,000 people in the state getting arrested for DUI charges last year.
When you think of a DUI, you may think of automatically losing your license or even going to jail.
But, what if there was a way out of that? What if there was a way for you to have lighter charges against you than you might have expected?
A plea deal would be the best way for you to be able to take that option. This is what you need to know if you want to accept a plea deal.
Reducing Charges
In a plea deal, one of the key pieces of the negotiation between the prosecutor and the defendant’s lawyer is the reduction of charges. For a DUI, that can potentially mean avoiding jail time, reducing fines, and reducing the time of your license suspension.
When you accept a plea deal, one thing that might happen is that the penalties for your charges get reduced. An example would be that in Florida, you can be fined up to $1,000 for your first DUI.
Your DUI attorney may get a plea deal for you that reduces that fine to the state minimum of $500.
If you are lucky, other plea deals can allow you to have the DUI charge dropped entirely. One example could be that if there is not sufficient evidence to prove that you had a DUI. Such as a breathalyzer test. Then they may negotiate for you to accept a lesser charge that was piled on such as unsafe driving.
These can be minor changes that end up on your record. But allow you to avoid a bigger criminal offense and more severe penalties from something like a DUI.
Number of Offenses
The number of offenses you have in the past will be a big factor in how much leniency you get with a plea deal. For example, it is highly unlikely that you will go to jail for your first offense for a DUI. You would most likely have more room to negotiate a plea deal in that situation.
Whereas if you are on your fourth offense, there are going to be higher minimum penalties for a DUI. Plus, the judge and prosecutor are going to be tougher on you. Because you keep coming back into their courtroom for the same charge.
Another example of this is the license suspension length. For a first offense, you may be able to get your months of suspension down to the minimum. But, on your fourth offense, it jumps up to a permanent license suspension with you not being eligible for hardship reinstatement for five years.
So, do not expect to get as easy of a plea deal if you have more priors. The stronger the evidence and the case are for the prosecutor, the less negotiation room you have for your case.
Judge Can Reject It
When it comes to plea deals, they are generally made between a DUI lawyer and a prosecutor. What that means is even if an agreement is made between those two people, a judge has to sign off on it.
If the judge does not like what they are seeing on paper or feels that your punishment is too lenient. Then they have the power to reject the plea deal. They must declare this before you enter your plea. But nevertheless, that type of decision could impact whether you would want to plea guilty.
Say you get your fourth DUI and there is a negotiation going on between an attorney and the prosecutor over how much jail time you will serve. Those two may agree to give you 90 days in jail, which is just 60 days over the minimum amount required.
However, the maximum amount that you can give in this situation is five years, so a judge in this situation may feel like you are getting off easy by only having to serve 90 days. In that situation, they would reject your plea deal and demand that there be a longer jail sentence on your plea.
Avoiding Trial
One of the best reasons to take a plea deal is to avoid trial. For a DUI, you would have to be strongly confident that you are completely innocent of the charges that are against you.
Not going to trial allows you to avoid the possibility of facing even more severe penalties. And more severe charges on your record. On top of that, it can also save you a lot of money in attorney fees.
If you were to go to trial, you would have to pay your attorney more money for more hours of their time in a courtroom defending you. This is not always necessary. So in the case of a DUI, the majority of the time it is beneficial for you to take the deal to avoid this financial burden.
Hire a Lawyer to Get a Plea Deal
The best thing to have in your back pocket to get a plea deal is an experienced lawyer with DUI cases. Our representation can not only save you time but potentially save you money. As well as, your privilege to drive, and even your freedom.
Are you a loved one looking for representation to try to get a deal for your DUI charge? Contact us today to learn more about what steps to take.
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at (844) RHINO-77.
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Can I File a Claim for Compensation for a Single-Vehicle Crash?
The single-vehicle crash accounts for many of the 341,000-plus auto accidents that the state of Florida experiences each year. These accidents are often non-fatal, but they can result in serious injuries.
You might think the motorist is automatically at-fault in all such cases and ineligible for compensation. If so, you’d be wrong. You can receive compensation for a single-vehicle crash, but there are some parameters that must first be established.
Cause Must Be Established
The first step to getting compensation for a single-vehicle auto accident is to establish the cause. This is vital if the accident was unavoidable and caused through no fault of your own. Below, we’ll examine three scenarios where this might occur.
Pedestrian Versus Vehicle
Laws tend to favor pedestrians when it comes to pedestrian-versus-vehicle accidents, as Florida is the most dangerous state in the US for pedestrians. That said, it’s not automatically the motorist’s fault when such an accident occurs. As you’ll learn later in this article, there are circumstances where the fault is not your own.
Vehicle Versus Property
Striking property with a vehicle is another case that brings with it a higher burden-of-proof on the motorist. Property isn’t going anywhere. It’s static and, thus, avoidable if you are paying attention to traffic laws. However, there are some scenarios where that may not be the case.
Rollover Accident
A rollover accident is another frequent cause of a car accident. These generally occur when one is traveling at a higher rate of speed, but again, there are contributing factors in which the motorist may not be at fault. In these cases, they are eligible for compensation.
Contributing Factors Must Be Established
Receiving compensation for a single-vehicle crash is as much about the contributing factors as it is the cause itself. Contributing factors are where you can argue your case and establish the accident as being the fault of a second party. Here are the most common contributing factors that will work in your favor.
Poor Infrastructure
Infrastructure issues can establish the fault of the accident on another party. For example, conditions on a property that violate code and instigate an accident can become the responsibility of the property owner instead of the motorist.
When speaking to your attorney, make sure you tell them about any circumstances that impaired visibility and made it difficult to proceed. Also, take pictures as soon as you can so you can capture the conditions of the infrastructure at the time of the accident.
Unaddressed Vehicle Hazards
Another case for car accident compensation in a single-vehicle accident can be made when there are defects with the automobile you were driving at the time. Particularly, undisclosed defects or malfunctions that have yet to be recalled and reported.
When this occurs, you would have a strong case against the auto manufacturer and, potentially, the individual or dealership from which you purchased. That’s provided the seller knew about the issues and did not disclose them.
Roadway Objects
Another contributing factor that can turn these cases in your favor is the presence of roadway objects. For example, let’s say that a logistics company is transporting a load that is not properly secured. If an object comes loose from the load and results in you plowing into a barrier or experiencing a rollover, then you would be eligible for auto accident compensation.
Improper Crossing
It’s also possible that a pedestrian could be considered at-fault in a single-vehicle accident. For starters, there is the question of whether they were using established crosswalks when attempting to pass in front of you.
You still have an obligation to avoid the pedestrian as a motorist. But if the pedestrian lunges out in front of your car and you were not exceeding the speed limit or violating any other rules of the road at the time, then you could be entitled to compensation.
Now that we’ve examined the pro-motorist situational aspects of a single-vehicle accident, it’s time to take action. Here are the steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
1. Do Not Admit Fault
The immediate aftermath of an accident, one vehicle or otherwise, can be a disorienting time. That’s particularly true if you’ve experienced an injury of some kind.
Never admit fault in the aftermath of a single-vehicle accident. Police might seize on this because it can make the reporting easier, but you owe it to your case to work back through your memories of the accident. Admitting fault puts you behind the 8-ball.
2. Obtain Police Report
The police report will have a specific rundown of the events, including any parties and properties involved. It also will have a record of any citations issued.
The issuance of a citation does not necessarily mean you are at fault. You can still fight the terms of the citation in court. A win there can influence the case in your favor and make you eligible for some type of compensation from whoever was responsible for the major contributing factor(s) of the accident.
3. Address Any Issues
Single-vehicle accidents are only going to be successful in your favor if you address the issues that are potentially holding back your case. That means challenging citations, collecting photographs of the contributing factors, and speaking to an attorney about any further research that your case will need.
4. File Your Claim
That brings us to the claim itself. Go ahead and file, but think about obtaining an attorney immediately as well. It’s always possible that an insurance adjuster will try taking the easy way out by going no-fault or taking the word of a faulty police report.
Attorneys experienced in fighting one-vehicle accident determinations will be able to help you steer through this situation. They can push back and get their clients the kind of representation they deserve.
A Single-Vehicle Crash Can Be Compensated
If a single-vehicle crash occurs, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to simply accept what the insurance company is willing to give you. Instead, seek out someone who has your interests at heart and is good at pushing back against the common traps that these types of accidents can experience.
In Tampa and the surrounding area, those attorneys are RHINO Lawyers. Contact us today to see what quality representation looks like.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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What to do if You are a Victim of a Staged Auto Accident
What is a staged auto accident? This is when a driver purposely causes an auto accident so that they can make a fraudulent insurance claim. If you are the victim of a staged car accident, it may cause your insurance premiums to jump.
This is why it is important to take the right steps after car accident fraud. Do you want to learn more about the steps you should take if you believe you’re the victim of a fraudulent accident?
Keep reading this guide for everything you should do in this situation.
Understand the Types of Staged Accidents
One of the first things you need to do if you believe you were the victim of a staged car accident is to understand the types of staged car accidents. This way, it will be easier to identify what happened in your situation and will make it easier to know what steps to take.
First, there is a swoop and squat staged accident. This is when the driver in front of you is cut off and you rear-end them.
Next, there is something called a drive down. This happens when a driver waves you to merge into their lane and then hits you. Often, they will claim that they never waved you into their lane and that it was your fault.
Another common type of staged accident is a sideswipe. If you drift over slightly in your lane, the driver next to you will intentionally sideswipe you and claim that you drifted into their lane.
The last common type of staged accident is the t-bone. A driver will broadside your car and then claims that you ran a light or a stop sign and hit them.
Insist That the Police Come to the Scene
One of the first steps you need to take if you think that you’re the victim of a staged accident is to insist that the police come to the scene.
Often, these stagers will protest this and will claim that you can settle it between yourselves. However, they will try to convince you that the accident was your fault.
Instead, you need to call the police to the scene. When you call 911, make sure you tell them that you believe that it was a staged accident. This way, the police officers can look for helpful evidence.
Next, you also need to get a copy of the onsite incident report as well as the full police report.
Write Down Important Information
Next, it is vital that you write down as much information as you can about the accident, how it happened, and more.
First, you should write down the information about the other car. This includes their license plate number, how many passengers were in the car, and more.
You also need to gather their contact information, their driver’s license numbers, and more.
You may also want to write down how the other people involved in the accident behave while they wait for the police. Often, they will seem fine until the police come to the scene.
Then they will act injured when the police arrive to make their personal injury claim seem accurate.
Get Contact Information From Witnesses
When you are meeting with the police, you can also ask for contact information from the witnesses of your car accident. You can give this information to the department that is investigating the fraud.
Witnesses may be able to prove that the accident was staged and can provide other helpful insights into what happened.
Document Damage to Both Cars
The most important thing you can do if you believe you were involved in a staged car accident is document the damage to both cars. Make sure you write notes and take photos of both cars, even if it doesn’t seem like there is much damage.
This is because many stagers will file an insurance claim for much more money than the damage was worth.
Having photos of both cars will prove that there was not much damage to either of your cars.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After you gather any important information after your accident, you need to notify your insurance company of the accident. This way, you can get your claim filed as quickly as possible.
You also need to notify your insurance agent that you believe that you were the victim of a staged accident. Most insurance companies have a team that deals with auto accident fraud and can investigate the incident for you.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney
Finally, it is important that you hire a car accident attorney if you believe you were in a staged accident. They are experienced in these types of cases and can help prove your innocence in this case.
A car accident attorney will also help you receive compensation for your injuries or damages to your vehicle.
By having a legal professional on your team, you can feel confident that you will not be taken advantage of.
Are You the Victim of a Staged Auto Accident? We Can Help!
Insurance fraud is something that needs to be taken seriously. If you were the victim of staged auto accidents, it can cost you a lot of money and may even increase your insurance premiums.
By following each of these tips, you won’t be at fault after a staged auto accident.
Are you looking for a car accident attorney to help you through this process? RHINO Lawyers can help! Contact our team today to learn about our services and to get a free case analysis from our auto accident team.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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Symptoms To Watch Out for After an Auto Accident
In the United States, 4.4 million people are injured enough to require medical attention after a road crash. While some of these injuries may not seem serious, they may lead to worse complications or even death if they go untreated. By understanding what types of symptoms might indicate an injury after an auto accident, you can get the medical attention that you need.
Do you want to learn more about car accident injuries? Keep reading this article for the top symptoms of auto accident injuries to look out for after an accident.
Headaches
One of the most common symptoms that people experience after a car accident is headaches. You might experience a headache right after a car accident but headaches can also appear days after your auto accident.
Often, headaches are caused by whiplash, the tension in your neck or shoulders, and even due to anxiety or PTSD after your accident.
While headaches are typically a minor injury, they may be due to a more serious underlying issue. If your headaches last longer than normal or are worse than normal, you should visit your doctor to rule out any other causes.
Back or Neck Pain
Another common injury after an auto accident is neck or back pain. Most often, this pain is caused by stress and muscle tension after your accident. If this is the case, you can improve your pain by getting a massage or even by stretching.
However, other causes of back and neck pain include damage to your nerves or tissue, injuries to your muscles, and more.
Bruising
Next, it is common to experience bruising after being in a car accident This is because the force of the accident can damage the capillaries beneath your skin, which causes bruising and discoloration.
Often, bruises will get worse over the course of a few days after your accident and will heal on their own.
However, some car accidents can cause damage to your internal organs. If your bruising doesn’t improve after a few days, it can be a sign of something worse.
Abdominal Pain and Nausea
Something else that can be a sign of damage to your internal organs after a car accident is abdominal pain and nausea. When you wear a seatbelt during a car accident, it pulls tight across your body to protect you.
While seatbelts are effective forms of protection, they can also cause bruising and internal damage to your body. If you are experiencing serious abdominal pain or nausea, it can be a sign of internal bleeding or another serious issue.
Swelling and Stiffness
Something else that commonly occurs after a trauma, like a car accident, is swelling of your body. This can happen if you have damage to your muscles or tissue, whiplash and other sprains, and more.
Often, this swelling is accompanied by stiffness and difficulty moving. If you have minor swelling, you can improve this by icing the affected area. If it doesn’t heal on its own, you may need medical attention to improve your movement.
Swelling and stiffness also may not set in until a few hours or days after your injuries. Often, the swelling will get worse as your injuries are healing. If your swelling gets worse, you should also rest and elevate the injured area or wrap it to keep it immobilized.
Trouble Concentrating
Another serious symptom that often occurs after a car accident is trouble concentrating or problems with your memory. This most often occurs after a car accident where you hit your head or if you were in shock.
Even stress can make it difficult to concentrate and remember things. While it may not seem like a serious issue, difficulty concentrating may be an early sign of a brain trauma that needs to be addressed by a medical professional.
If your trouble concentrating stems from the stress of your accident, you may also need help from a mental health professional to resolve the issue. If you are experiencing memory loss or difficulty concentrating, this can also be due to a concussion. These are common injuries in a car accident and may require medical attention.
Dizziness and Blurry Vision
After a car accident, many people experience dizziness and changes to their vision. These can cause issues for weeks after your accident. Most often, these symptoms stem from concussions, post-traumatic stress, whiplash, and more.
If you have double vision or blurred vision after your car accident, these may resolve themselves. However, if it lasts more than a few hours or days, you may need to get treatment and testing to determine the cause of your vision changes.
Tingling Sensation
Finally, one of the auto accident symptoms includes a tingling sensation. If you were in a serious accident, this may be due to damage to your nerves or tissues in your back, neck, and shoulders.
This is also often accompanied by pain in the areas that have a tingling sensation.
Need Help After an Auto Accident? We Can Help
After an auto accident, it is important that you keep an eye out for these car accident symptoms to make sure you stay in good health. If you have been injured in an auto accident, it may be helpful to work with a lawyer.
If you are looking for a lawyer, RHINO Lawyers can help! Our attorneys can help you increase your settlement, reduce your medicals, and get money for your losses.
Contact us to get a free case analysis and learn how we can help you after a car accident.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
Read More