A red light or a traffic signal is an important safety tool on the roads and should not be ignored. When someone recklessly ignores a traffic light, they are putting people at risk of serious injury or death. This is one of the most common types of auto accidents in Fort Myers. A vehicle is a huge responsibility, and it is the driver’s duty to make sure it is driven safely and responsibly. Failure to abide by the road traffic laws is unjustifiable.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault in Fort Myers, contact The Law Place today for a free consultation with our Fort Myers car accident lawyers. We can discuss your case, offer support and advice, and work hard to get you compensation.
Call us today on (941) 444-4444.
Why a Driver Might Ignore a Stop Signal
Ignoring a stop sign is a very serious offense that could cause injury or death as they are designed to control traffic flow and protect pedestrians from reckless and dangerous drivers. A car accident endangers the general public, but there are many reasons why ignoring a stop sign could happen, for example:
- Texting or on the phone whilst driving, causing distracted driving
- Misjudgment of traffic signals
- Speeding
- Poor visibility
- Poor weather conditions
- Driver inebriated by drink or drugs, impairing their ability to drive
Not Recognizing a Two-Way Stop Sign
A two way stop sign is placed at an intersection to prevent accidents by controlling which driver goes first. These types of accidents are very dangerous due to the driver assuming that the other driver will stop because it is their right of way. This can cause T-bone or side-impact collisions, which could potentially cause serious injury.
A T-bone collision is a serious accident between 2 vehicles and is often considered extremely dangerous for the driver and the front passenger as the driver side takes the brunt of the impact, which can be fatal depending on the speed of the other vehicle. Many suffer from head and spinal injuries and mental anguish long after the accident has occurred.
When a situation like this occurs, it can be very difficult to place liability and prove who was at fault. At this stage, we would recommend you seek advice from our accident lawyer as soon as you are able.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day.
The Dangers of a Car Accident Caused by Running a Stop Sign
A stop signal is designed to prevent road users from dangerous collisions, which can cause serious injury or death to road users and pedestrians alike. A T-bone or a side-impact collision are considered to be extremely dangerous as they leave both driver and rear passenger exposed. The rear passengers, in many cases, are children whose injuries could prove fatal.
Thousands of traffic signals are ignored every year, which results in many collisions and accidents. The most common injuries sustained are listed below:
- Fractured or broken bones
- Irreversible brain injury
- Physical disfigurement
- Internal bleeding and injuries
- Death
If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident and have sustained injuries because of this in Fort Myers, then contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Though they may not be able to cover all expenses incurred from the accident, a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer can help you claim 100% of the damages owed and seek out compensation for your injury and justice for your peace of mind.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
No-Fault Insurance Laws in Fort Myers
The state of Florida is a no-fault state. This means that in the event of an auto accident, then the driver must claim compensation and damages from their own insurance company first, irrespective of who is at fault. Florida Statute 627.7407 states that every driver must carry a minimum insurance cover of $10,000. This is for personal injury protection (PIP), which covers you as the driver for personal injury. In addition to this, the insurance company must cover $10,000 for property damage. It is then required that the insurance companies payout 80% of PIP and 60% property damage.
In most cases, auto accidents in Florida are most likely to exceed the damage cost set out by the insurance company, in which case this would leave the driver responsible for settling the remaining amount. When this happens, you need a Fort Myers car accident lawyer ready to fight.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Dealing with Insurance Firms in Fort Myers
Care is needed when dealing with insurance firms in Fort Myers as most insurance companies are huge businesses that are profit-orientated and care only about revenue. In most cases, these companies hire insurance adjusters to investigate claims for legitimacy and devalue claims from the victims of car accidents, resulting in a smaller amount or no compensation payout.
If you are involved in a car accident, then you are legally required to report the incident to your insurance company. However, the details should be kept vague. Inform your insurer that a collision has taken place and that more information will be presented when you are willing and able to. In most cases, adrenaline will fill your body and suppress the pain of any injuries, making it difficult to identify the full extent of the injuries sustained.
It is highly recommended that you get in touch with The Law Place today and speak to a personal injury lawyer for a free evaluation. Make sure this is done before you contact your insurance company, if possible.
What Damages Will an Attorney Help Me to Claim in Fort Myers, Florida?
Many accidents can result in life-threatening injuries for both the drivers and passengers involved. In many cases, some walk away with very few damages, whilst others can walk away with life-changing injuries, and some may not walk away at all. This can leave the people involved with emotional trauma and mental anguish that can last a lifetime.
If you or someone close to you have suffered from serious and life-changing injuries that were not your fault, then you deserve not only justice but also compensation to cover your loss. This compensation cannot rectify the damage caused, but it can help you with a fresh start, to settle any outstanding bills you have as a result of this, and help you move forward with life after the accident.
Whilst you suffer from these injuries that were sustained by no fault of your own, the driver responsible needs to be held accountable for their reckless behavior and endangering other people’s lives. Below is a list of expenses that you may struggle with as a result of negligence.
- Medical bills – Medical bills as a result of an auto accident can be very expensive. If the injuries were serious, then you could spend a long recovery period in the hospital, which could see a very expensive bill on release. Our attorneys pride themselves on their attorney-client relationship and will work hard to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
- Loss of earnings – An unfortunate result of an auto accident is not being able to work. This will result in a loss of earnings making it difficult to keep up with bills. This could have a huge impact on how you live your life, and if you are deemed unfit to return to work for an extended period of time, then this can affect your home and family life. Our personal injury lawyer will work hard to claim back your lost earnings and any future earnings lost.
- Property damage – As a result of an accident, your belongings may be damaged, such as your vehicle, phone, or even house. The damages for this should not be your responsibility if someone else is at fault.
- Pain and suffering – Unfortunately, in an auto accident, pain and suffering is subjective and cannot always be proved. In this situation, it is recommended that you seek out a personal injury lawyer who can defend you and seek out the compensation that you deserve.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one as a result of an auto accident, then it goes without saying that compensation and justice are deserved. This can cover funeral expenses and loss of consortium.
Florida’s Comparative Negligence Laws
The state of Florida, according to Florida Statute 768.8, runs under comparative fault laws, which means that several parties can be found at fault. This doesn’t mean that you cannot claim. If you are found to be less than 50% at fault, then you can claim a reduced settlement.
A key example of this type of situation would be if another driver failed to stop at a red light and had a collision, but you were speeding, then you would be partly responsible for the collision. If this is the situation that you are in, then contact us today, and our lawyers will work hard to prove that your part in the collision is minimal and make sure that the blame is not solely placed on you.
An example of how the settlement will be deducted is as follows. If you are deemed 10% at fault for the collision, then your settlement will be reduced by 10%. If you are caught in this situation without representation, then the other party at fault might try to shift the blame on to you, increasing your fault percentage, resulting in you seeing a higher reduction.
What Can A Law Firm Do for Me in Fort Myers?
90% of the individuals seeking compensation have been successful with legal representation. This is 60% higher than the success rate of individuals without legal representation. Personal injury lawyers can be a huge help to your case.
When you contact The Law Place, there will be a dedicated Fort Myers car accident lawyer available to take your call and provide you with a free consultation. They will conduct a quick assessment to ascertain whether your claim is valid. Once this has been determined, the lawyer will advise you on your next steps.
If you choose to pursue legal representation with The Law Place, then the lawyer responsible for your case will discuss your case in more depth and explain the fee structure. At this stage, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you feel you need to. Next, you will be assigned a dedicated team to help you with your case. This team will consist of car accident attorneys who have a combined experience of 75 years within the industry. They are dedicated to working hard, seeking justice, and making sure you get the compensation you deserve.
The Law Place operates on a contingency basis as set by The State Bar Association, so our fee will be deducted from your final settlement.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you or a loved one has suffered because of another person’s negligence, then they should be held responsible for their reckless behavior and face justice. The Law Place are committed and dedicated, and we value our attorney-client relationship above everything else. We know what a stressful time dealing with a personal injury case can be, and we want you to be confident that your case is being dealt with properly.
We are available 24/7. Contact us today and speak to a dedicated Fort Myers car accident lawyer for a free consultation on (941) 444-4444.
