Car accidents can occur when drivers make what’s known as an improper turn. This can consist of illegal U-turns, failing to follow traffic signals, or being in a rush to make a turn, resulting in performing a maneuver that is not safe.
Improper turns can cause severe injuries and damages as they are more at risk of collisions from the side, which brings any potential impact closer to drivers and passengers. If you or a loved one have suffered because of a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact The Law Place to speak for a free consultation to see how a Bradenton personal injury attorney may be able to help you today on (941) 444-4444. Phone lines are open 24/7 for your convenience.
How Do Improper Turns Occur in Bradenton?
Improper turns happen when making a turn or changing lanes in a way that is dangerous or when you don’t signal. Other scenarios where turns can be classified as improper in Bradenton include:
- When a traffic light is on red.
- When there is a stop sign.
- When the driver does not have the right of way.
- In an area of road where U-turns are not permitted.
When vehicles change lanes or turn without signaling, these kinds of unpredictable moves do not give other drivers time to react. A study from the Society of Automotive Engineers found that when changing lanes, drivers fail to signal 50% of the time. When it comes to signaling for making a turn, the fail rate is almost 25% of the time.
Why Do Such Accidents Take Place in Bradenton?
When an improper turn has been made on the road, it can have a serious impact, leading to severe injuries and damage to property. Drivers can fail to follow the rules of the road because they are distracted or lacking concentration due to tiredness, leading to a lack of awareness of their surroundings. In other instances, they may be rushing to get to a place and, as a result, may end up driving in a way that is negligent. There can also be circumstances where drunk driving may take place if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
Regardless of your own driving skills and diligence, the actions of other drivers are outside factors that can’t be controlled. It is an unfortunate fact that there is often nothing that other drivers on the road can do to prevent a crash when someone makes an improper turn.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an improper turn accident, it is likely that you may have experienced injuries and trauma, and medical expenses could be pilling up. Our law firm can help you claim compensation that may be owed to you, so contact The Law Place today for a free case evaluation to see how we can help.
What to Do at the Scene of an Accident in Bradenton
You may experience shock following a car accident, especially as disruption in the road can often impact multiple lanes when an improper turn has been made. This can amount to damage to several vehicles and numerous potential injuries for those involved. The most important thing to remember if an accident does take place is to try to stay calm and avoid panic. The practical things to do at the site of a motor vehicle accident in Florida are:
- Stay at the scene of the automobile accident – For accountability, ensuring your case does not get classed as a ‘hit-and-run.’
- Find a safe spot nearby – If it is possible to do so, avoiding any hazards. Make use of any high visibility clothing or signs to alert other drivers to you and your vehicle.
- Contact emergency services – As per Florida Statute 316.062, you must call the police to the scene of a car accident when there has been injury or significant property damage. The police report is a vital piece of evidence for your case, which may be helpful for your claim in the future. If there is anyone in need of immediate medical attention, an ambulance will also need to be called to the scene.
- Exchange information with any other drivers involved – All parties will need to share names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle details. This includes drivers and anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
- Collate evidence – Photos will help your memory and are also an important record of the collision. They will be needed for the road, vehicles, injuries, and any other factors that may be relevant to the auto accident. Your Bradenton car accident lawyer will make use of this evidence in your case.
Other Important Actions to Take After a Motor Vehicle Accident
When it comes to making a claim for your automotive accident, there are a few steps attorneys recommend in order to build the strongest case:
- Speak to a personal injury lawyer – The Law Place offers a free consultation so that you can get some initial legal advice and ask any questions.
- Contact your insurance company – There is a legal requirement to inform your insurance company about any accident within a period of time, usually 24 hours. At The Law Place, we recommend speaking to a car accident attorney first to prepare. Anything said to insurance companies could potentially be used to attempt to devalue a claim.
- Avoid posting on social media – Anything said, especially when emotional after a traumatic event, might get used as evidence against you, so it’s best to update loved ones privately at first.
- Log activities in a journal – Write down any symptoms, including recording times when there is pain, as well as any changes to your quality of life. This information will be helpful for your car accident lawyer when fighting for your right to claim damages for pain and suffering.
- Keep all records – Document medical bills, transport receipts to and from appointments, costs of any adjustments made to your home, along with any other expenses you may have incurred because of the accident. Your personal injury attorney will be able to use these receipts as evidence to quantify your economic damages in your case.
What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Bradenton
Florida is a no-fault state, as per Florida Statute 627.7407. This means that if there is a car accident, you are legally required to contact your insurance company to seek compensation whether you were at-fault in the auto accident or not.
In addition to this, there is a requirement to carry a $10,000 minimum personal injury protection (PIP) plus another $10,000 to cover property damage, as stated in Florida Statute 627.736. Your insurance provider has a duty to cover 80% of both medical bills and property damage up to the limits stated in your policy.
In a car accident where a driver has made an improper turn and caused significant damage, damages may exceed policy limits, especially if your ability to work has been affected and wages have been lost. In this scenario, the driver will still need to seek compensation from their own insurance as well as the other driver’s insurance company.
Informing Your Insurance Company and Other Next Steps After a Car Accident
There is a legal requirement to inform your insurance company of any auto accidents that take place. Whilst it is not mandatory to seek legal guidance before contacting your insurance company about your case, The Law Place encourages people to understand their rights, and so offers anyone involved in a car accident some initial legal advice before contacting their insurance company in a free consultation. The reason for this is that a legal specialist could offer you guidance on the wider process of making a claim. Sharing legal knowledge and advising on how this may impact your case specifically can help you claim the maximum amount of any compensation that may be owed.
Here to Help You Get the Most From Your Insurance Company
Whilst all insurance companies cover their clients and provide compensation in the case of auto accidents, it can be helpful to remember that the business of insurance is to balance payouts with profits. It is in the interests of insurance companies to ensure that payouts made to customers who make claims are to the lowest value possible, in line with what is agreed in the terms and conditions of their policy. Attorneys at The Law Place have witnessed people dealing with the repercussions of a car accident when they are not clear on all of the complex details involved in the process for making a personal injury claim. In many of these cases, the outcome has been an auto accident victim missing out on claiming the maximum compensation owed to them in favor of a quick settlement, finding themselves left with medical expenses and other costs that went unaccounted for.
The lawyers at The Law Place have years of specialist experience in auto accident personal injury law and are here to help you navigate the legal process, supporting you in managing insurance companies so you can get the compensation you may be owed. In a free case evaluation, you’ll be able to ask questions and get legal guidance to help you make choices on how to proceed following an auto accident. You can schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case with our team.
Typical Personal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
A car accident can be traumatic, both for the people involved and their loved ones. There is a range of potential injuries that can vary from relatively minor to severe, and some may even lead to life-long conditions. In the most unfortunate incidents, a car accident can lead to loss of life and wrongful death. When this happens, family members are entitled to claim compensation for their loss.
Typical injuries that could be sustained following a car accident in Florida include:
- Neck and back injuries.
- Brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Paralysis.
- Broken bones.
- Lacerations.
- Burns.
Injury from a car accident can change the lives of victims and their loved ones forever. It is not fair that a driver can ignore the rules of the road and cause damage to the lives of others to such a degree. Regardless of the level of your injuries, you can contact a personal injury lawyer at The Law Place for a free case evaluation. We will assess your claim, offer you some initial legal guidance, and explain the next steps to get any compensation you may be entitled to.
Types of Compensation for Car Accident Victims
Whether you or one of your family members has been involved in an accident because of another driver’s negligence, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Injuries sustained could impact your ability to work. Along with mounting medical expenses and vehicle repair costs, these kinds of financial stresses can be difficult to manage, especially at a time when many victims experience anxiety and trauma. The key focus after an accident needs to be on recovering, and instead, many victims find themselves trying to figure out how to cope with new financial burdens.
At The Law Place, we seek to support victims and their family members in seeking justice and compensation. Our personal injury attorneys typically secure compensation for these types of expenses:
- Lost wages – Including any backdated lost income as well as future earning potential.
- Medical bills – Including hospital treatments, transportation to and from the hospital, as well as any accessibility adjustments which you may need to make to your home.
- Pain and suffering – This compensation is designed to repay the victim for emotional distress from the accident, which can leave some victims unable to live the life as they once did.
- Wrongful death – In the worst-case scenario where a family member has lost their life to a car accident, compensation can cover costs such as funeral expenses and the lost wages that contributed to the family household.
A Florida automobile accident lawyer can help by investigating your car accident, determining the negligent driver, and calculating the types and amounts of damages you may be entitled to.
Talk to a Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a family member have been involved in a car accident in Bradenton caused by another driver’s negligence, then you can find out how you may be able to claim in a free case evaluation from The Law Place.
Our law firm takes pride in working as a team, and each client case is reviewed by a range of attorneys. The Law Place is dedicated to getting the best outcomes for clients. This comes from the 75 years of combined knowledge and experience in the team. For consistency, your case will be assigned to a dedicated attorney who will be your point of contact and support you along your legal journey.
At The Law Place, our personal injury attorneys have handled improper turn cases and a range of other types of accident and injury cases in Bradenton and across the state. Car accident lawyers at The Law Place understand the complexities of the law and are committed to justice. Contact The Law Place for your free consultation and to find out how we could help with your personal injury claim when you call (941) 444-4444 today. Phone lines are open 24/7.
