Plant City Car Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Collisions Caused by Driver Negligence in Plant City, FL

The Plant City area experiences a great deal of traffic, with thousands of vehicles traveling through the area each day on Interstate 4, Highway 92, State Road 39, and other local roads. With so many vehicles on the road, serious car accidents can take place when drivers fail to drive safely. When negligence leads to collisions and serious injuries, victims may not only experience physical pain, but they can also be affected by large medical bills, lost income, and other financial losses. They will need to understand what steps they can take to obtain compensation for the harm they have suffered.

At Mickey Keenan, P.A., our legal team has multiple decades of experience in cases involving car accidents and serious injuries. We help injury victims navigate the complex process of recovering compensation for their damages. We have helped our clients obtain millions of dollars, and we have been honored with a large number of awards that show how dedicated we are to achieving results in these cases. With our commitment to fighting for our clients, we will work tirelessly to set matters right for those who have suffered serious injuries.

Understanding Negligence in Car Accident Cases

People who have been injured in car accidents can take steps to obtain compensation when another driver’s negligence caused the collision. A driver may be considered to be negligent if they did not act reasonably and failed to take the proper precautions to protect the safety of others. Drivers are required to obey traffic laws, pay attention to road conditions and other vehicles, and take the appropriate actions to avoid accidents. When drivers act carelessly or recklessly and cause injuries to others, they may be held legally responsible for compensating the victims.

Distracted Driving Leading to Car Accidents

Despite widespread awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, many people continue to engage in activities that can increase the risks of accidents. Smartphone use is one of the most significant problems that can lead to collisions. Texting while driving will combine visual distraction when a driver takes their eyes off the road, manual distraction when a person takes their hands off the steering wheel, and cognitive distraction where a person’s mind is on something other than driving. These issues can greatly increase the chances that a person will be involved in an accident.

Many other smartphone-related distractions can also lead to car accidents. Drivers who use navigation systems, search for music or podcasts, take photos or videos, browse social media, or use other smartphone functions will be unable to fully pay attention to driving. The few seconds it will take to read a text message or check a notification may be long enough for traffic conditions to change and for a catastrophic accident to occur.

Other distractions may include eating and drinking while driving, adjusting vehicle controls or climate settings, grooming activities such as applying makeup or shaving, and engaging in conversations with passengers. Parents who are driving with children may become distracted when trying to manage conflicts, reach for dropped items, or address children’s needs. Regardless of the causes of a distraction, a driver who does not fully pay attention to the road may be held responsible for causing an accident.

Driving Under the Influence

The use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited for people who operate motor vehicles. Alcohol can affect a person’s judgment, coordination, vision, reaction time, and their ability to process information quickly. Impaired drivers may make poor decisions, fail to recognize hazards, and be unable to react correctly to conditions on the road. They will be much more likely to cause accidents.

Drug impairment is also dangerous for drivers. Illegal drugs or certain prescription medications can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Even some over-the-counter medicines can lead to impairment, especially if they are combined with alcohol or other substances. Marijuana use can lead to slower reaction times and impaired coordination. Prescription painkillers and sedatives can cause drowsiness. Stimulants can lead to aggressive driving and poor judgment. When people who are impaired by these substances cause accidents, they may be held liable for harming others.

Excessive Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Speed limits are meant to ensure that people drive at speeds that are safe. Drivers who exceed these limits or who drive too fast for the conditions on a road can put others at risk of harm. At higher speeds, drivers will have less time to react to hazards, and they will take longer to stop. They will be more likely to lose control, and when crashes occur, the injuries and vehicle damage may be more severe. A crash at 55 miles per hour is more likely to lead to serious injuries or death than a crash at 35 miles per hour.

Aggressive driving may go beyond speeding. Tailgating can prevent a person from avoiding an accident if the vehicle ahead of them slows down suddenly. Weaving between lanes can lead to a loss of control and cause a collision. Cutting off other drivers may force them to brake suddenly or swerve, which could cause them to hit other vehicles. Running red lights and stop signs can lead to accidents at intersections. Drivers may be held responsible for dangerous actions that put other people at risk.

Drowsy and Fatigued Driving

Fatigue can affect a person’s driving ability almost as much as alcohol intoxication. Drivers who operate vehicles while they are exhausted will experience slower reaction times, reduced levels of attention, and difficulty maintaining control. They may even fall asleep at the wheel. Microsleep episodes where drivers briefly lose consciousness for just a few seconds can be long enough for a vehicle to drift across lanes or off the road entirely, leading to serious accidents.

Failure to Maintain Vehicles

Vehicle maintenance issues can lead to accidents when systems malfunction. Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, and other mechanical problems may occur when drivers do not perform required repairs or maintenance. A person who neglects their maintenance responsibilities may be held liable for accidents that occur when parts break down.

How Financial Compensation Can Help Car Accident Victims Recover

The medical treatment a person may need to receive after suffering serious injuries in a car accident may cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Emergency room care, several days or weeks in a hospital, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, prescription drugs, and other forms of treatment can lead to enormous financial burdens. In some cases, medical bills can lead to bankruptcy, force families to liquidate their savings, or prevent victims from obtaining the care they need to maximize recovery.

Compensation for medical expenses will ensure that a person can focus on healing rather than worrying about how to pay for treatment. They will be able to follow medical advice without skipping appointments or medications due to concerns about the costs. For injuries that may require long-term care, compensation can help ensure that future medical needs will be addressed.

Lost income can lead to a financial crisis for a car accident victim and their family. Bills will continue to arrive, and mortgage or rent payments, utilities, groceries, car payments, insurance premiums, and other living expenses will need to be paid, even if a person is unable to earn an income while they are recovering. Compensation for lost wages can replace income that an injury victim could not earn, preventing them from experiencing financial hardship.

For people who cannot return to their previous jobs due to permanent disabilities, compensation may address their lost earning capacity and the long-term financial impact of their injuries. When injuries prevent a person from working in their chosen field, force them to accept a lower-paying position, or reduce the hours they can work, they may be compensated for the difference between what they would have earned and what they can now earn.

Compensation for pain and suffering may address the harm a person has suffered in addition to their financial losses. Physical pain can disrupt a person’s sleep, prevent them from performing certain activities, and reduce their quality of life. Chronic pain can last for years, and it can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s daily life. Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression are common concerns for people who have suffered serious injuries. Compensation can acknowledge this suffering and provide some measure of justice for the harm that was done.

Contact Our Plant City, Florida Car Accident Attorneys

When another person’s negligence was the reason for a car accident, a victim can work with an attorney to secure financial compensation. At Mickey Keenan, P.A., we know how to achieve results for car accident victims and secure maximum compensation for their damages. Contact our Plant City car crash lawyers by calling 813-412-8226 and arranging a free consultation.