Traffic signals are in place throughout St. Petersburg and the State of Florida to ensure that the roads are kept safe and to prevent accidents from happening. When a driver runs a red light and fails to obey traffic signals, they are putting the lives of all other road users at risk.
Florida law provides that all drivers owe each other a duty of care to drive safely and obey all rules of the road, including traffic signals. If another driver has run a red light that caused an accident involving you, you may be entitled to compensation for any personal injury or property damage you have suffered.
Here at The Law Place, we have over 75 years of combined experience in multiple practice areas, including auto accident cases. Our team of St. Petersburg car accident lawyers can help you file a claim to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our law firm offers a free consultation where you can speak to an accident lawyer with no strings attached. Our priority is to ensure that you receive justice for your St. Petersburg car accident case.
Call today to schedule a free case evaluation. Our lines are open 24 hours, 7 days a week for your convenience.
What Kind of Accidents Are Caused By Running a Stop Signal in St. Petersburg, FL?
When a driver runs a stop signal, they can cause many different types of accidents. However, the most common auto accident scene seen in these situations is a side-impact collision, also known as a T-bone collision.
Car accidents of this nature often result in serious personal injuries to those involved, particularly to the driver and the passenger of the other vehicle, as the impact is usually quite strong. Depending on the particular type of vehicle that ran the stop sign, and the speed at which they were driving, it is possible for those involved to suffer life-altering injuries or even death.
Why Would a Driver Ignore a Stop Signal?
Stop signals are put in place to ensure that traffic runs smoothly and safely in St. Petersburg. They indicate who has the right of way and when it is safe for a car to pass. They are large and bright in appearance to ensure that all drivers can see them. However, in some instances, drivers may choose to ignore the stop signal and continue driving, which can cause a serious auto accident. There are a lot of reasons a driver may choose to ignore a stop signal, including:
- Driving while distracted, including using a phone while driving or talking to passengers in the car.
- Misjudging when the signal was about to change.
- Speeding.
- Poor road conditions hindered the driver’s visibility.
- The driver is in a rush.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).
These are just some of the reasons for a driver ignoring a stop signal in St. Petersburg, Florida. However, it will depend on the particular situation of the auto accident. If it can be established that the driver was at fault for the collision in St. Petersburg, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer can help you claim compensation for any injuries or property damage you have suffered.
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Injuries Resulting From a Running a Stop Signal Accident
There are many different types of injuries that can result from a car accident in St. Petersburg, Florida. Depending on the particular circumstance of the accident, including how fast the vehicle was driving and how harsh the impact was, the level of damage can vary. It is possible for serious injuries to happen in these collisions, which can alter a person’s life or even result in death.
Some of the main injuries seen by accident lawyers in our law firm include:
- Broken, fractured, or sprained bones.
- Injuries to organs.
- Internal injuries.
- Injuries to the neck, including whiplash.
- Cuts, lacerations, bruises, and scarring.
- Damage to the head, including traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Wrongful death.
If you have been involved in an auto accident in St. Petersburg and suffered injuries as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury attorney can help you file an injury claim to receive damages for the pain you have suffered. It is often the case that those involved in these types of collisions suffer serious injuries and are left with huge medical expenses that are not covered by insurance companies. In these situations, the only chance for you to receive compensation may be to make an injury claim.
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What Kind of Compensation is Available for Accidents Caused by Running a Stop Sign?
In Florida, it is required that you contact your insurance company immediately following an auto accident in order to claim compensation. The law provides that drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) of a minimum of $10,000 in order to operate a motor vehicle. However, if you have been involved in a serious accident, it is possible that the insurance coverage does not cover the costs of your medical expenses.
It is possible for you to make a claim from the other party’s insurance company if it can be established that they were at fault for the accident. However, it may be the case that their personal injury protection coverage or property damage liability policy does not cover the costs of your damages also. In these instances, your only option may be to file a personal injury suit in order to receive the compensation you are owed.
When making contact with an insurance company, we recommend speaking with a St. Petersburg car accident attorney first, as insurance companies often try to use the information you have given them to devalue your claim. A lawyer can help guide you on what to say, and if you are unable to receive the compensation you are owed, they can help file a claim on your behalf.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Damages Can an Attorney Help Me Claim in St. Petersburg, Florida?
If you have been injured or your property has been damaged as a result of a collision that was the fault of another driver, a lawyer can help you file a claim for damages. Depending on the particular circumstances of your case, there may be a whole range of damages available for you to claim following an auto accident. Examples of these damages include:
- Medical bills – If you have been injured in the accident and have had to receive medical treatment as a result, an attorney can help you claim any medical expenses. This can include costs for hospital appointments, transport to and from these appointments, and any future medical expenses resulting from life-altering damage.
- Lost wages – If you have been left unable to work as a result of the accident, you can claim any lost wages as a result. This includes any potential future earnings you would have made.
- Property damage – In these types of car accidents, it is likely that your vehicle has been damaged in some way. You can claim for any damage to your property, including any valuable items contained inside at the time.
- Pain and suffering – You can claim any emotional or physical distress you have suffered as a result of the accident in the form of pain and suffering damages. An example of this is if you are now unable to participate in a hobby that you previously enjoyed because of your injuries.
- Wrongful death – Losing a loved one in an auto accident is traumatic, and no amount of compensation will make the situation easier. However, an attorney can help relieve the financial stress by seeking funeral costs or a loss of income to the family household.
Being involved in an auto accident is extremely stressful, and trying to claim compensation for the damages you’ve sustained can cause you even further stress. Here at The Law Place, we want to help relieve this stress by helping you file a personal injury claim to receive the compensation you are owed. We offer a free consultation with an accident lawyer who will take over your case completely and do all of the investigating and communication on your behalf. Call today for a free consultation with a lawyer from our firm.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Florida
Throughout the State of Florida, there are comparative negligence laws in place, as provided by Florida Statute 768.81. Comparative fault means that when an auto accident happens, more than one party can be found liable. The court will determine each party’s level of fault and decide the amount of compensation owed to each party based on this. Provided that your level of fault was under 50%, you can still claim compensation for any damage you’ve sustained.
What this comparative negligence system means is that if you were found by a court to be 20% responsible for the accident, the compensation you are owed would be reduced by 20%. The court could determine that you were at fault if you were found to be speeding or using your phone at the time of the collision.
It is often the case that the insurance company of the other party will try to say you were at fault for the accident in order to reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay you out. This is why having the backing of an accident lawyer in these situations is important, as they can use their experience to reduce your level of fault to ensure that you are adequately compensated.
Why Should I Contact a St. Petersburg Accident Lawyer?
Having the backing of an experienced auto accident lawyer will be of huge benefit to your accident claim. Studies show that individuals who have the backing of an attorney are 90% more likely to receive a payout, and this payout is on average 60% higher than those made without an accident lawyer.
At The Law Place, we offer a free case evaluation where you can receive legal advice from one of our attorneys regarding your case. In this evaluation, we will advise you on your legal rights and assess whether you have a valid accident claim. If you decide to proceed with us as your legal representative, we will take over the entire case, investigating everything on your behalf. Our law firm will relieve your stress by speaking with insurance companies and other accident attorneys on your behalf. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure that your legal rights are vindicated
It is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible, however, as your time to make a claim is limited. Florida Statute 95.11 provides that you have four years to make a claim for any injuries following a motor vehicle accident. The longer you leave it to make a claim, however, the more likely it is for evidence to get lost and for documents to go missing. Additionally, witnesses are less likely to remember exact details of the crash the longer you leave it to file a claim. This is why you should speak with a lawyer as quickly as you can in order to increase your chances of receiving compensation.
Contact The Law Place
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car crash and injured as a result, you should seek assistance from our law firm today. We know that collisions on the road are stressful, and trying to receive the compensation you are owed can cause you even more stress. Our priority is ensuring that you receive justice for any damages you have suffered.
Here at The Law Place, we have over 75 years of combined experience in multiple practice areas, including auto accidents. Our law firm has a proven track record in receiving the best results for our clients and has built up a great attorney-client relationship as a result. We offer a free legal consultation where you can receive honest and experienced legal advice regarding your St. Petersburg accident case. If you decide to proceed with us as your representatives for your case, we will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you receive the compensation you are owed.
Don’t hesitate to contact us. The sooner you do, the better chances we have at winning your case.
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