We work on many car accident cases in Ruskin, Florida. We know that to determine who is liable for the accident, it is important to determine its causes. How severe and extensive the claimant’s injuries are determines how much their claim is worth. It is common for specific types of injuries to lead to conclusions regarding the person responsible.

Did another person’s negligence lead to your or a loved one’s injuries in Ruskin, Florida? You might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other damages. After an accident, you must take certain steps to preserve your right to compensation. Call Calandro Law today for help getting the compensation you deserve after a car accident in Ruskin.

COMMON CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS IN RUSKIN

At our Ruskin personal injury law firm, we would like to help you understand what causes car accidents and how to prevent them on the road. While some of these car accident risk factors may seem obvious and redundant to experienced drivers, this list is intended to educate all kinds of drivers, from teenagers who just got their license, to elderly drivers who have been behind the wheel for decades. We’ll also discuss what you should do immediately following a car accident and why you should hire a Ruskin car accident attorney to represent you.

CARELESS DRIVERS IN RUSKIN

Ruskin car accidents are primarily caused by negligence, which is defined as failing to exercise reasonable care and attention within reason when operating a motor vehicle or using a highway. Research by the insurer and your Ruskin car accident attorney confirms who is at fault for the automobile accident. To receive compensation, a personal injury lawyer must demonstrate recklessness was to blame for the accident.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

The leading cause of car accidents in Florida is not drunk driving, speeding, or running red lights. It is distracted driving. Legally speaking, when a driver’s eyes are diverted from the road or monitor other drivers around them, this counts as distracted driving. A Ruskin car accident attorney from Calandro Law often sees collisions caused by drivers paying too much attention to their phones, sending text messages, or getting distracted by other passengers in the car.

DANGEROUS SPEEDING

The highways running through Ruskin, FL are full of speeders. It is common for drivers to exceed the speed limit by 10, 20, and sometimes 30 mph. Many Ruskin car accidents are caused by drivers who are recklessly speeding. At very high speeds, even drivers that can react quickly won’t have the time they need to avoid collisions.

DRUNK DRIVING IN RUSKIN

Drinking and driving are often a deadly combination. Sadly, it is often the passengers in the car the drunk driver collides into that suffer the worst. Driving drunk is very dangerous because you lose your ability to focus and function properly. Despite being one of the most preventable causes of car accidents in Ruskin, drunk drivers are on the roads every day. Have a designated driver when you go out to drink or use a ridesharing service. If you’ve been injured as a result of a drunk driver, then contact our Ruskin car accident attorney.

RECKLESS DRIVING

You may cause an unnecessary car accident if you don’t drive carefully. Ruskin car accidents often occur when reckless drivers speed, change lanes too quickly, or tailgate before hitting another vehicle. You should take extra care around aggressive drivers because they are often impatient.

RAIN

The roads in Florida are affected by bad weather. The reason that many car accidents in Ruskin occur when it rains is that water creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles, which often causes the vehicles to skid or spin out of control. When it rains, drive more carefully to avoid an accident.

DRIVERS RUNNING RED LIGHTS

If you are driving, red means stop, and failing to do so will most likely result in a Ruksin car accident. Drivers who run red lights often cause side-impact collisions at high speeds, which can often have deadly results for the drivers or passengers involved. When approaching a green light, be aware of oncoming traffic and look both ways.

RUNNING STOP SIGNS

Whenever stop signs are ignored, serious car accidents can occur. Every year, there are many Ruskin car accidents caused by drivers who run stop signs. Drivers who run stop signs cause many rollovers and side-impact accidents. Whenever you pass through a stop sign, look both ways.

TEENAGED OR OTHERWISE INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS

Teenagers aren’t known for being particularly responsible. Teen drivers often have difficulty navigating the roads because they are inexperienced, resulting in car accidents.

TAILGATING

It is common for drivers to be impatient and reckless, driving so close to another vehicle that they have no time to react when the vehicle in front of them brakes suddenly. It has been reported that many fatal car accidents have occurred when drivers tailgated one another at high speeds. By giving the car in front of you a one-car-length distance for every 10 mph you drive, you can prevent more car accidents in Ruskin, FL.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN RUSKIN?

Ruskin Florida attorneys recommend that you take the following steps to protect yourself after a car crash:

CLEAR THE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD

Move the vehicles out of traffic if there are no injuries and the vehicles are working.

CALL THE POLICE

It is important to notify the police, Florida Highway Patrol, or the sheriff after a car accident. The report you file will be necessary if the accident caused damages greater than $500 later on. Call the police even if you are not sure if you need to.

EXCHANGE CONTACT & INSURANCE INFORMATION

In case your injuries show up later and are serious, obtain information on the other drivers, including their names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information. You should also take a picture of the license plate and insurance card of the other vehicle.

TAKE PHOTOS

Take photographs of the vehicles and the accident scene using your smartphone, if you are able to. If you are in dispute with another driver, or when dealing with car insurance companies in Florida, these photos will help.

GATHER EVIDENCE & ORGANIZE IT

You should back up your photographs and gather all the information you have regarding what happened. Taking notes about how and when the accident happened will be helpful. When you speak to your car insurance company or attorney, it will be handy to have something to refer to since memory fades over time.

NEVER ADMIT FAULT

No matter if you’re speaking with a police officer or a fellow driver, explain plainly what happened. Explain only what happened, not what you did. Later, you may learn that you weren’t actually at fault at all.

CONTACT YOUR CAR INSURANCE PROVIDER

Florida’s no-fault law requires that you file a claim with your own insurance company after a car accident. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you should file a claim. As soon as possible, you should notify your auto insurer, even if you do not plan on filing a claim.

CONTACT A RUSKIN CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

When you are involved in a car accident in Ruskin, you should speak to a personal injury attorney to determine your rights and obligations. If the accident resulted in serious injuries, successfully pursuing your car insurance claim without an attorney could be very difficult.

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A RUSKIN CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

EXPERT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW IN FLORIDA
You may not know what laws apply to your particular situation, including comparative fault and the statute of limitations on a personal injury claim, unless you have specialized legal training. An experienced lawyer has a thorough understanding of personal injury law.

You can get assistance identifying the applicable laws and legal issues related to your incident, as well as understanding how they are interpreted within the local court system in Florida. You are more likely to win the case and recover full compensation for your injuries if you hire a Ruskin car accident attorney who understands the law properly, not discounted justice or insurance company justice.

DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES IN FLORIDA

Car accident victims in Ruskin often file claims with their insurance companies right away. The compensation a person receives from insurance companies can be extremely low if they don’t have legal representation. It is more important for the insurance company to maximize its profit than to provide you with the full compensation you’re entitled to for pain, suffering, and property damage.

An experienced Ruskin car accident attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies so that you receive the maximum compensation. You can rely on their knowledge of insurance laws that may affect your accident case, as well as their ability to interpret the policy’s coverage, exclusions, and limitations. In an accident, if you suffer neck, back, shoulder, knee, head, or other injuries, you will be more likely to get full compensation.