Conductor provoca choque feroz y huye
A driver flees the scene of a fiery crash. The driver of a Chevy SUV swerved to avoid another motorist and lost control of his vehicle. The SUV hit a guard rail and flipped over then caught fire. The driver escaped the flames and paramedics took the driver to Tampa General Hospital.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 12:45 a.m. on I-4 east of I-275 in Hillsborough County. The driver of the car that caused the SUV to crash fled the scene and no description of the driver or the car has been given. Anyone with any information about the crash or the unknown vehicle should call the FHP at (813) 558-1800 o *FHP.
“Swerve” Accidents
A swerve accident is one where a driver causes another to swerve to avoid a collision who then crashes into another car or an object causing injury. Many times, the driver of the car that swerved feels that since the other car didn’t hit them, then they have no claim.
However, the law doesn’t say that. The bottom line is that if any driver does something that causes another person to be inured, there is a potential claim for injuries. The key is whether the at-fault driver was negligent.
Don’t be fooled by an insurance company or their lawyers who tell you that there is no claim because their client’s car never actually struck your car. Call an attorney who can help you with your claim.
Atropellos y fugas
Hit-and-Run accidents are especially troubling and can cause additional emotional stress for the victim who often feels twice victimized. First by the collision and then by the fleeing driver who left them injured and without any help.
The problems that come from a hit-and-run are numerous. First, with no one else around the victim is often left without help. Then no one is around to give first aid or call for help. The injured victim might suffer a greater injury because of the delay.
Second, the stress of having been injured and then having the driver flee can cause emotional distress and hamper the healing process.
Problemas de seguros
The injured then becomes victimized a third time when the bills start coming in and there is no money to pay as the injured is out of work. This brings up many questions for the injured regarding who will cover those losses when the at-fault person hasn’t been identified.
- Who will pay my medical bills?
- Can I file the accident on my own insurance policy?
- What injuries can I claim?
- What if I wasn’t using my own car, can I still use my own insurance?
- Will I have to pay them back if the at-fault driver is found?
These are all good questions for the person injured in a hit-and-run. First, you may be able to file under your own auto insurance policy. Many policies have a Medpay or personal injury protection (PIP) provision that pays for injuries in an auto accident regardless of fault.
Typically, Medpay will only pay for medical bills up to a capped amount, and you may have to pay the insurance company back if the at-fault driver is found and pays you for your losses.
PIP pays for medical bills plus lost time from work and some other things like permanent disability, etc. It also has a cap, but in most policies, you won’t have to pay them back if the at-fault driver is found.
If that isn’t available, then many policies have an uninsured/underinsured provision that will pay out when there is an accident involving a vehicle (even if it’s not yours) for some of your losses if there is no insurance or too little insurance. Depending on the policy, this may cover some of the driver’s losses.
Do I need an Attorney When a Driver Flees the Scene?
Most of these questions and more can be answered by a competent attorney, one who knows the law regarding hit-and-run accidents and one that is experienced with insurance companies. Even if you don’t hire an attorney, you owe it to yourself to talk to one. Then you can make the decision informed and knowing what you are getting into if you decide to go it alone.
Comuníquese con un abogado de accidentes automovilísticos en Tampa
After any crash, contact an attorney if there is a serious injury or loss of a loved one. RHINO Lawyers es el bufete de abogados poderoso y enfocado en los resultados, que se enfrenta “de frente” a las compañías de seguros y a los abusadores.”
Anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida may should us for a free consultation. Our equipo de lesiones personales le ofrecerá asesoramiento para ayudarle a obtener la compensación que se merece.
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Conductor en sentido contrario mata a un hombre en Suncoast Parkway
Un hombre que conducía una camioneta GMC en sentido contrario por la autopista Suncoast Parkway (S.R. 598) con una densa niebla chocó de frente contra un vehículo que circulaba en la dirección correcta. Según una oficina del alguacil del condado de Highland, el escena, el accidente ocurrió la madrugada del domingo 3 de febrero cerca del marcador de la milla 38. El conductor que iba en sentido contrario mató al conductor de un Mini Cooper al chocarlo de frente.
La oficina del alguacil dijo que sospechan que el consumo de sustancias pudo ser un factor, y el conductor que iba en sentido contrario tenía una condena previa por conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol (DUI) en 2009. Sin embargo, no han presentado cargos y se desconoce si el conductor de la camioneta GMC estaba realmente intoxicado.
Conducción en sentido contrario y de frente
Las colisiones frontales son las más mortales, según un informe por la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras. Las colisiones frontales representan solo el 2 por ciento del total de accidentes cada año, pero constituyen el 10 por ciento de todas las muertes.
Hay dos tipos de colisiones frontales: la deriva hacia el carril central y la conducción en sentido contrario (WWD). Las colisiones frontales por deriva hacia el carril central ocurren cuando el conductor se desvía o se desliza sobre la línea central de una carretera de doble sentido sin división y choca de frente contra un vehículo que viene en dirección opuesta. El ochenta y cinco por ciento de las colisiones frontales se deben a la deriva hacia el carril central.
Las colisiones en sentido contrario ocurrieron en solo el 15 por ciento de los choques frontales y ocurren cuando un vehículo entra a una carretera dividida o autopista en dirección contraria y choca contra un automóvil que va en la dirección correcta.
Causas de la conducción en sentido contrario
Las colisiones en sentido contrario causan lesiones y muertes ligeramente más graves que otras colisiones frontales debido a las altas velocidades de una carretera sin división central. Para que esto ocurra, el conductor debe ingresar a los carriles desde la dirección incorrecta, por lo general usando una rampa de salida como entrada. Las causas de esto son:
- Deterioro
- Mala visibilidad
- Señalización pobre/confusa
- Distracción incluyendo el uso del celular
- Confiando en la aplicación de navegación
Lesiones por colisión frontal
La razón por la cual las colisiones frontales son tan mortales es que el impacto comprende la velocidad y la masa de ambos vehículos. Asimismo, los ocupantes son lanzados hacia la parte delantera de su automóvil y luego son arrojados violentamente hacia atrás en sus asientos. Esta acción causa ciertas lesiones comunes:
- Traumatismo contundenteLa gran mayoría de las muertes provienen del impacto de la persona contra lo que sea que tenga enfrente.
- Lesión cerebral traumáticaNo siempre es mortal y ocurre con el impacto del cuerpo en el momento de la colisión.
- Lesión de la columna torácica(Latigazo cervical) Esta lesión no es necesariamente fatal, pero a menudo resulta en parálisis. Se produce cuando el cuerpo es lanzado hacia adelante, estirando la columna en el cuello, y luego es violentamente comprimida al ser lanzado hacia atrás contra el asiento.
- Huesos rotos Fracturas de cráneo, huesos faciales, costillas y extremidades como muñecas, tobillos y piernas.
¿Qué debo hacer si sufro lesiones en una colisión frontal?
Si usted resulta herido en una colisión frontal, su prioridad número uno es ponerse a salvo y luego atender las necesidades médicas inmediatas. Después de eso, si puede, asegúrese de obtener la mayor cantidad de información posible tomando fotos si tiene su teléfono u otra cámara con usted.
Tarde o temprano, la atención se desplazará hacia quién tuvo la culpa una vez que las pérdidas financieras comiencen a acumularse. En este punto, lo mejor es hablar con un profesional que pueda asesorarle sobre la ley y evaluar su caso. No se deje engañar por el agente de seguros, ya que ellos tienen sus propios intereses.
¿Necesito un abogado?
En algunos casos, tal vez no. Sin embargo, en una colisión de varios autos donde los daños son significativos, hablar con un abogado es indispensable. Necesita un abogado que pueda darle asesoramiento imparcial y evaluar su caso.
Comuníquese con un abogado de accidentes automovilísticos en Tampa hoy
Hablar con un abogado en RHINO Lawyers hoy. Nuestro equipo de lesiones personales está listo para comenzar a trabajar para usted para conseguirle la compensación que se merece.
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Reclamaciones por muerte por negligencia en accidentes automovilísticos fatales
Over 30,000 people die each year in auto accidents across the U.S. with 3,000 of those happening in Florida. When this happens, it’s devastating for the surviving members of the family. Whether the person is a spouse, parent, child or grandparent, if a family member is taken in an auto accident, the loss is traumatic.
If a loved one dies in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, a natural question is, who is able to make a claim if the injured person is dead?
If a loved one was killed in a head-on collision in Florida, contact our personal injury team today for a free consultation. RHINO Lawyers es el bufete de abogados poderoso y enfocado en los resultados, que se enfrenta “de frente” a las compañías de seguros y a los abusadores.”
¿Qué es una demanda por homicidio culposo?
Since a person who has passed can’t file a claim for his or her losses from an auto accident, the Florida law allows the estate of the deceased to file a claim. The estate is the rightful heir of a person’s wealth and property as determined by Florida’s inheritance laws. First in line is the surviving spouse, and then the children, if any.
The claim is based on the loss of the deceased to those in his or her family. Many times, those killed in a car wreck have a spouse and dependent children that counted on support. Also, there is a loss of the person as a spouse, parent or child, and this loss is acutely felt by those left behind.
Making the claim
Ley de Florida spells out what a wrongful death is based on and under what conditions it can be made. Basically, the person or people who are inheriting the estate can recover damages based on the negligence of the at-fault person, and if that negligence resulted in the death of the person, then a wrongful death claim can be made.
Conduct that Leads to a Wrongful Death
There is a wide range of negligent actions that can lead to a wrongful death claim. For each of these, the at-fault person must be considered to have been negligent and the act caused the death of the victim:
- Conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol o las drogas
- Exceso de velocidad
- Manejo en sentido contrario
- Colisiones por detrás
- Colisiones frontales
- Conducción imprudente
Tipos de daños en una demanda por homicidio culposo
Florida law states the types of damages that can be claimed. In a typical claim for damages, the inured person claims the losses he or she incurred because of the negligence of the at-fault person. However, in a wrongful death claim, damages can be based on the losses sustained by both the estate and the individuals affected by the loss. These damages are:
- Medical bills of the deceased, if any.
- Gastos funerarios del causante.
- Pain and suffering of the deceased, if applicable.
- Loss of future income
- Spousal Loss of companionship, consortium.
- Pérdida de la compañía de los padres (relación de los hijos con los padres fallecidos).
- Mental/Emotional pain and suffering of the children.
When can a Claim be Made?
After the victim dies, the estate and survivors have two years to file a claim with the court. Similar to other cases based on negligence, before filing with the court, a settlement can be made with the insurance company. But if the case is not settled within two years, then the claim needs to be filed with the court.
Many surviving members wonder if hiring an attorney is required in a wrongful death case. It doesn’t require one in most cases, but the wrongful death laws can be complicated. So the best course of action is to talk to an attorney who understands Florida’s wrongful death laws.
Contact a Tampa Car Accident Attorney Today
Even if you don’t hire an attorney, you need to speak to one that knows the law and can evaluate your case. Talk to an auto accident attorney at the RHINO Lawyers hoy. Nuestro equipo de lesiones personales está listo para comenzar a trabajar para usted para conseguirle la compensación que se merece.
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Rear-End Accidents in Tampa FL – Auto Injury Lawyers
Rear-end collisions are by far the most common type of vehicle accident making up over 30 percent of all accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there is an average of 2 million rear-end collisions a year resulting in over 500,000 injuries and 17,000 deaths.
In Florida, over 400,000 auto accidents happen each year with 120,000 of them being rear-ended collisions. In addition, the NHTSA found that rear-end collisions were more likely to occur in urban areas. Subsequently, this means you are at more risk of a rear-end collision in places like Tampa Bay, St Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, and Spring Hill. In fact, this is primarily due to the number of cars and the stop-and-go driving that is common in urban driving.
Thus, if you were seriously injured or a loved one was killed in a rear-end collision in the Tampa area, contáctenos hoy for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Causes of Rear-End Collisions
First, there are many reasons why rear-end crashes occur, and understanding these can help someone avoid rear-end crashes in the future. Some of these are:
- Sudden stop/Failure to stop: This is common on freeways and highways where the car in front suddenly stops and the following car doesn’t have time to avoid a collision.
- Lane change: Often times a driver will change lanes and not maintain the proper distance from the car in front.
- Distracted driving: Cell phone use is becoming the number one distractor in all automobile accidents. Others are eating, shaving, putting on make-up, changing radio/cd, interacting with other passengers.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol has been the number one type of impaired driving responsible for many rear-end crashes. Today, marijuana impairment is trending upward as more states legalize recreational usage of the drug.
- Drowsy driving/fatigue: Driving too long without a rest or just getting behind the wheel without enough sleep cause a significant amount of rear-end collisions.
Common Rear-end Collision Injuries
En RHINO Lawyers, we see all types of injuries that come from automobile accidents. Those that are most common with rear-end collisions are:
- Whiplash: In medical terms, this is a hyper-extension and hyper-flexion injury and is the number one type of injury in rear-end collisions. It happens when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop. Afterward, the person slams forward and then slams back into their seat. These injuries can be painful and take a long time to heal. In some cases, people need surgery to repair cervical disc injuries that are common with whiplash.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head impacts on the dash or the steering wheel can cause mild to severe concussions. Unfortunately, this causes injuries to the brain. When the head makes a sudden impact, the brain moves inside the skull, and in many cases, brain damage is a result. When this happens, there is typically a long road of cognitive rehabilitation ahead for the victim.
- Huesos rotos Anytime there is a sudden impact on a person, there is a chance for a fracture. In a rear-end collision, common fractures are to the hands due to bracing or holding onto the steering wheel; the feet from the legs and feet impacting the floorboard and firewall; collarbone/ribs from the seatbelt; and spine fractures that can lead to paralysis.
- Airbag injuries: Airbags undoubtedly save lives, but they can also cause severe burns and even death if the person is not the right heights or weight to be in a seat with an active airbag. Incidentally, some airbags malfunctions can send shrapnel through the car causing injury or death.
- Deformación permanente: Sometimes the victim of a rear-end collision will hit a steering wheel, dashboard, side window or side door frame and receive deep and severe lacerations requiring surgery. Personal property flying inside of the vehicle or broken glass may cut a person in the car.
Common Damages in a Rear-End Collision
Under Florida law, a person hurt by another’s negligencia is entitled to be “made whole.” This is often impossible, but it can provide a basis for determining a financial award. Some of the damages allowed are:
- Gastos médicos
- Lost wages, past, and future
- Permanent injuries/disabilities or disfigurement
- Dolor y sufrimiento
- Loss of quality of life/consortium
- Wrongful Death compensation
- Sufrimiento emocional
In short, money can’t make these things go away. But, it can help compensate for the many losses that come from an accident like a rear-end collision. Therefore, many victims of these accidents wonder if they need to get an attorney. In most cases, the answer is yes.
Contact a Tampa Area Car Accident Lawyer
Lastly, contact a Abogado de accidentes de auto en Tampa that knows the law and can evaluate your case. So, talk to an Attorney at RHINO Lawyers hoy. Nuestro equipo de lesiones personales está listo para comenzar a trabajar para usted para conseguirle la compensación que se merece.
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Hombre de Tampa muere en choque múltiple de cinco vehículos en la 301
A five-car pile-up happened after a GMC Envoy hit a Toyota Sienna who stopped in traffic. The GMC pushed the Toyota into a Chevy pickup. Once these vehicles came to a rest, a Lincoln SUV stuck the Envoy. As a result, the Envoy ran into the Sienna again who hit the Chevy pickup for the second time.
Según a Florida State Trooper at the scene, the driver of the Envoy died at the scene. Paramedics took two other drivers to a nearby hospital with undisclosed injuries. Law enforcement arrested the driver of the Lincoln SUV for driving without a license.
Multiple-Vehicle Crashes
Multiple-car crashes can be dangerous as there are several impacts. In fact, some vehicles get hit more than once. This can cause serious injuries as many victims endure multiple hits. There are typically two types of multi-vehicle accidents: chain reaction and pile-up. Each of these have their own characteristics and create unique problems for all involved.
Chain Reaction Crashes
A chain-reaction crash happens when a collision occurs involving two cars and then other impacts occur in a series of events all linked to the first collision. These can be especially deadly. This is because the vehicles involved are traveling at higher speeds and have significant momentum. These types of crashes are known for high property damage, rollovers, centerline/median crossing and cars leaving the roadway.
Five-Car Pile-Up Crashes
A five-car pile-up or multi-car wreck, although technically a chain reaction as well, happens when cars fail to slow or stop when approaching another accident or stopped vehicles. These collisions can be small fender-benders to high-impact collisions. Click the chain-reaction crash video to watch the shocking pile-up unfold on an icy freeway.
Problems with Multi-Car Crashes
A significant factor in a multi-car crash is the risk of being struck a second or third time as cars come up on the scene. Many times a chain reaction turns into a pile-up collision as other motorists are unable to stop.
According to experts, the best thing to do in a chain-reaction or pile-up collision is to stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. This is because the car around you—even damaged—offers more protection than getting out and being in the open. Of course, there are many times when it’s better to exit the vehicle such as when the vehicle is on fire or leaking fuel.
¿Cómo se determina la culpa?
After clearing the scene and everyone has been treated and healing, the fault of the accident will become important. Because those injured will be facing severe financial losses. Some of these losses that affect the victim soon after the accident are:
- Gastos médicos
- Rehabilitation
- Lost time from work
- Loss of a job
- Transportation: short term and replacement
- Disability: temporary or permanent
The issue of fault in a two-car collision can be tricky at times. However, in a five-car pile-up crash, the series of events and the difficulty the crash scene investigators have when trying to determine what happened compounds the trickiness. With so many cars and possible impacts, it can be a challenge to determine the facts.
It’s likely that in multi-car crashes, more than one person will be at fault. The investigators will look at each impact and try to determine which car struck the other under what circumstances. Because a second or even third impact could involve the same car with a different driver at fault for each impact. This can make determining which driver is responsible for which injuries extremely complicated.
¿Necesito un abogado?
Talking to an attorney is a must after any crash involving a serious injury or the loss of a family member. You need an attorney who can give you unbiased advice and can evaluate your case.
Even if you don’t hire an attorney, talk to an Attorney at RHINO Lawyers hoy. Nuestro equipo de lesiones personales is ready to answer any questions you may have.
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