Please use this blog for reference & add Florida law at the end on how to file a claim with Gordon Law.
However much you try to avoid it, car accidents are bound to happen. Even safe drivers can find themselves in precarious situations or side by side with a reckless driver. Thankfully, it may end up being a fender bender, no big deal. But if you find yourself in a more serious accident and don’t know where to turn, the offices of Gordon Law may be able to help.
Distractions
No matter how hard people try, distractions abound while driving. Putting away your phone is a superb idea when taking the wheel, but there are plenty more distractions to be found while running errands. Distracted driving is the most common cause of a car accident, as there are so many things to pull your attention away from the road. Radio and music playing, eating, talking on the phone or to others in the car, looking for that new restaurant, not to mention if your phone is out and consistently sending alerts and chirps your way.
Drunk driving is the next leading cause of accidents, claiming more than 10,000 lives in the United States alone each year. Speeding also accounts for about 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2018, making it a dangerous choice when driving, especially in inclimate weather or more mountainous regions. Reckless driving can be many things, but swerving in and out of lanes with no signals, not checking your mirrors, cutting other drivers off and tailgating are oftentimes the most dangerous, leading to accidents that could have been easily prevented by obeying more traffic rules while on the road.
Car Accident Injuries
With all the endangered driving happening in today’s world, the most common car accident injuries are surprisingly often non-invasive. Not to say some of them aren’t critical, but most of them are not as severe as you would think when dealing with heavy machinery traveling at high speeds. Whiplash is the most common injury, often occurring in even the smallest of accidents like a fender bender. As long as enough force is hit on your car, the safety belt will freeze and stop you from hitting anything else inside the car, but oftentimes applies a lot of pressure to your body, causing some minor injuries. The symptoms of whiplash include dizziness, neck pain, stiffness, headaches, upper back pain, fatigue and tinnitus. They may not present themselves until weeks after the car accident, so even if you feel fine, it’s always a good idea to get checked out after the accident in case of any underlying problems.
The leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is car accidents, as your head may jolt forward or backward, or you may suffer a blow to the head by an object in the car. TBI includes concussions, which is one of the most common head injuries. Symptoms can include confusion, headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, temporary loss of consciousness, and sensitivity to light. Again, getting checked out thoroughly after an accident is your best bet in avoiding any additional injuries or issues suffered during a car accident, as concussions can have lasting, long term effects on their own.
Chest injuries can be anywhere from mild to more severe, depending on where on the chest it occurs and what was impacted by it. Hitting the steering wheel with your chest can result in some bruising and contusions in a more mild form, but sometimes more severe injuries can happen when the airbags are deployed or the seat belt holds you steady in a higher impact crash. The more severe injuries can include broken ribs and internal injuries. Arm and leg injuries are fairly common in accidents, especially in side-impact crashes, where a limb can easily get stuck between pieces of metal and even two separate cars. Limbs can easily flail and get thrown around throughout the incident, which can cause bruises, sprains, and broken bones.
Florida Law
It’s important to get thoroughly checked out following a car accident, no matter how small it may have seemed or if you’re feeling fine. Car crashes can have lasting damage to your body and it may take weeks for it to start manifesting itself. It’s always important to exchange information with any other drivers involved in the accident and to contact your insurance company right away to begin the process. In Florida, you have up to 14 days to get checked out by a doctor, but the sooner the better to evaluate your condition and make sure there is no permanent damage done. The at-fault driver is responsible for dealing with your car repairs and medical expenses, along with your insurance company, although before filing any kind of claims, it may be good to seek legal counsel ahead of time, to ensure you’re getting the money you’re due. And in Florida, you will have up to four years after the car accident to file a lawsuit claim.
Contact Us
If you’ve been injured during a car accident and want to seek justice, the offices of Gordon Law can help. Our expert team will work with you during these difficult times and won’t stop till we win. Call us today!
