Car Accident Attorney in Winter Haven

According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there are an average of 382,297 traffic collisions annually in the state. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motor vehicle collision, you are not alone. 

Car crashes account for massive amounts of property damage and numerous personal injuries every year in Florida. Following a collision, it is critical to consult with the Winter Haven car accident lawyers at Morgan & Morgan. 

For more than three decades, our skilled legal team has successfully fought for the rights of accident and injury victims. We know what is required to recover the money that Florida victims deserve.  

When a traffic accident is caused by someone’s negligence or carelessness, the victims of that crash deserve justice. If you have been injured in a collision, you may have a valid claim for significant financial compensation. 

Let the accomplished Winter Haven car accident lawyers at Morgan and Morgan review the facts of your case. We will provide you with a no-cost consultation with no obligation to hire our firm. 

When Morgan & Morgan Winter Haven car accident lawyers represent you, you will have the highest likelihood of securing the money you need. Complete the simple form on the Morgan and Morgan website to request a free case evaluation today.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Winter Haven, FL

The circumstances surrounding each traffic collision are unique. However, some types of accidents are more common than others.  

Few traffic collisions are entirely unavoidable. Rather, most crashes are the result of someone’s carelessness or recklessness. When this happens, the negligent party can be held accountable for the resulting costs and losses. Some of the most frequent causes of motor vehicle accidents are:8

Distracted Driving

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3,000 people were fatally injured in distracted driving accidents in 2019. When motorists do not give their full attention to operating their vehicles, it puts others in danger. 

There are three distinct categories of distracted driving: 

• Cognitive: Having your mind on something other than driving
• Visual: Failing to watch the road in front of you
• Manual: Removing your hands from the steering wheel 

Each type of distracted driving brings unique hazards and increases the possibility of a collision. Some of the most typical examples of distracted driving include: 

• Texting
• Talking on the phone
• Watching a video on a digital device
• Using a GPS or reading a map
• Self-grooming, such as applying makeup or shaving
• Eating and drinking
• Adjusting the stereo 

If you have sustained property damage or a physical injury as the result of another person’s distracted driving, do not wait. You may be owed significant financial compensation for the losses you suffered. 

The Winter Haven car accident lawyers at Morgan & Morgan are standing by to review the circumstances of your crash. Don’t allow a distracted driver to go unaccountable. 

Speeding

Driving over the legal speed limit is a crime. But when speeding results in an accident that causes harm, the victim may have a valid civil claim for damages. Even if a driver is traveling at a legal speed, road conditions can make it necessary to slow down. Driving too fast increases the likelihood of traffic accidents and injuries. 

Driving Under the Influence

Under Florida state law, drivers are not permitted to be behind the wheel if they have a blood or breath alcohol level of .08 or higher. Drugs and alcohol can significantly reduce motorists’ reaction times, judgment, and cognitive function. This makes serious collisions highly probable.  

If a drunk driver caused you harm, you have the right to pursue compensation for the damage you experienced. Driving under the influence of a controlled substance is inexcusable, and those who engage in this negligent behavior should be held financially responsible. 

Fortunately, Morgan and Morgan’s Winter Haven car accident lawyers have plenty of experience with these cases. We have a thorough knowledge of the relevant Florida statutes in claims involving drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Reckless Driving

One of the leading causes of traffic accidents is reckless and aggressive driving. Typical examples of reckless driving include: 

• Tailgating (following too closely)
• Sudden lane changes
• Running traffic lights or stop signs
• Racing on public roadways
• Failing to use turn signals
• Passing on the right side
• Aggressive maneuvers 

Drivers have a duty of care to others on the road to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. Those who drive recklessly put others in harm’s way. If a reckless driver caused you harm, speak with Winter Haven car accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Fatigued Driving

Fatigued driving, also called drowsy driving, is a major contributor to accidents on the road. When a person is driving while fatigued, their reaction time is slowed, their judgment is impaired, and they are more likely to make mistakes.  

The risk of being in a car accident in Winter Haven increases significantly when a person engages in fatigued driving. Some common factors that contribute to fatigued driving are:

• Inadequate sleep
• Long-distance trips
• Medications that cause drowsiness
• Working irregular hours
• Undiagnosed disorders causing sleepiness 

It is vital to be well-rested before operating a motor vehicle. Make sure to take breaks as needed to avoid fatigue. If you are feeling drowsy while driving, pull over and rest. Alternatively, find a place to sleep until you are well-rested. When a fatigued driver is responsible for an accident or injury, they may owe the victim substantial financial compensation.

Mechanical Problems

Not every motor vehicle accident is the result of a driver’s negligence. Some collisions happen because one or more vehicles contain faulty components. 

Car accidents caused by defective automotive components can be complex. The resulting tort claims may involve multiple parties, such as: 

• Manufacturers of the defective automotive product
• Vehicle manufacturer
• Dealership or mechanic who installed the product
• Automotive component designer

Some of the most common automotive components that contain defects leading to accidents are: 

• Failing brake systems
• Defective tires
• Faulty steering systems
• Defective airbags and safety systems 

If you believe that a defective product played a role in a collision, it is important to seek legal advice. The Winter Haven car accident lawyers at Morgan & Morgan have the resources and specialized knowledge to handle these complex cases. 

Our legal team can help you report the issue to the manufacturer and the appropriate regulatory agency. You may be owed significant financial recovery from the manufacturer or designer of the faulty automotive component. 

No matter the cause of your car accident, you deserve justice. You should not be stuck managing the financial and personal losses from a collision that another person caused. 

Consult with the Florida legal team at Morgan and Morgan to explore your rights and options. At Morgan & Morgan, our clients trust us to diligently fight in their best interests. Our attorneys will not rest until you get the money you need to recover from your collision.

Categories of Motor Vehicle Collisions

There are several different types of accidents that result in property damage and personal injuries for victims. The nature and severity of the damage you sustain will depend, in part, on the type of motor vehicle collision you experience. 

Typical categories of motor vehicle collisions include:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. They often occur when a motorist is distracted or following another vehicle too closely. 

In a rear-end collision, the force of the impact is transmitted to those in the front vehicle through their seats. These accidents can result in injuries such as whiplash, back injuries, and neck injuries. The gravity of the resulting physical damage will depend on the speed of the motor vehicles at the time of the crash. 

If you have been involved in this type of Winter Haven car accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention even if you do not believe you are hurt. Some injuries may not become apparent until hours, days, or weeks after the incident.

Head-On Collision

Head-on collisions occur when the fronts of two vehicles collide as they travel in opposite directions. These accidents are incredibly dangerous for those involved, often resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries.

In head-on collisions, the force of the crash is typically concentrated on the front of the vehicles, where the engines and other heavy components are located. This can result in significant damage to the cars involved. Head-on collisions often cause serious injuries to the occupants of the vehicles. 

Typical injuries in head-on collisions include: 

• Broken bones and fractures
• Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries
• Internal injuries 

The severity of the resulting personal injuries will depend on several important elements. These include: 

• The speed of the vehicles during the crash
• The size and weight of the vehicles 
• Whether the occupants were wearing seat belts
• Other safety features in the vehicles, such as airbags

Following a head-on motor vehicle collision, make sure to seek medical attention. You should also speak with Winter Haven car accident lawyers to determine the best course of legal action.

Side-Impact Crashes

Side-impact collisions are sometimes called T-bone collisions or broadside collisions. This is a type of motor vehicle accident that happens when one vehicle collides with the side of another.  

Side-impact crashes often result from drivers failing to yield the right of way. Other common causes of T-bone collisions are distracted and inattentive driving. 

In a side-impact collision, the force of the crash is concentrated on the side of the vehicle that was hit. This can result in significant property damage and cause serious injuries to those on the impacted side of the vehicle. 

Common injuries in a broadside collision include broken bones, head injuries, and damage to internal soft tissues. If you have been injured in a Florida car accident, do not hesitate. Reach out to the skilled tort lawyers at Morgan & Morgan to pursue the financial damages to which you are entitled.