Winter Haven Car Accident Attorneys

Winter Haven Car Accident Attorneys Helping Injured Victims

Car accidents happen every hour of everyday. The consequences of a car accident can be devastating. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, you want to be treated fairly and with respect by the insurance companies. Often times though, insurance companies and their adjustors will try to minimize your compensation for damages.

A Winter Haven car accident attorney can assist clients in fighting for fair compensation if they have suffered from a car accident. Burnetti, P.A.’s experienced lawyers help clients in getting compensation to pay for medical care, lost wages, and possibly pain and suffering.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident, also known as a traffic collision, is an incident in which a motor vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, object, or infrastructure. Car accidents can vary in severity and may result in damage to vehicles, injuries, or even fatalities. They can occur for various reasons, including human error, environmental factors, mechanical failures, and more.

Here are some common types of car accidents:

• Rear-End Collision: This type of accident occurs when one vehicle strikes the vehicle in front of it from behind. Rear-end collisions often happen due to tailgating, sudden stops, or distracted driving.
• Head-On Collision: In a head-on collision, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with their front ends. These accidents are usually severe and can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
• T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collision: T-bone collisions occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another, typically at a right angle. Intersections are common locations for T-bone accidents.
• Single-Vehicle Accident: A single-vehicle accident involves only one vehicle and can occur for various reasons, such as losing control of the vehicle, running off the road, hitting a stationary object, or rollovers.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileup: This type of accident involves multiple vehicles and often occurs on highways or other high-traffic areas, especially during adverse weather conditions. A chain reaction of collisions can take place, leading to extensive damage and injuries.
• Sideswipe Collision: A sideswipe collision occurs when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other make contact along their sides. This type of accident can happen during lane changes or merging.
• Hit and Run: A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision flees the scene without providing their information. This is illegal and can result in serious consequences.
• Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident: Car accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. These accidents often occur at intersections or crosswalks.
• Rollover: Rollover accidents happen when a vehicle overturns onto its side or roof. These accidents are often associated with SUVs, trucks, or vehicles with a high center of gravity.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and they often result from a combination of factors. Common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted Driving: One of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving, which can involve activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or using navigation systems while driving. When a driver's attention is diverted from the road, it increases the risk of accidents.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Speeding not only makes it harder to stop in time to avoid a collision but also amplifies the impact when a collision occurs.
• Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances impairs a driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Impaired drivers are more likely to make poor decisions and cause accidents.
• Reckless Driving: Aggressive and reckless driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and road rage, increase the likelihood of accidents. These actions can escalate minor conflicts into serious collisions.
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Failing to obey traffic signals and stop signs can lead to dangerous intersection collisions, often resulting in T-bone or head-on accidents.
• Fatigue: Fatigued or drowsy drivers are less alert and have slower reaction times, making them more prone to accidents. Falling asleep at the wheel is a significant risk associated with fatigue.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, fog, and heavy winds, can reduce visibility and road traction, making it more difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.
• Tailgating: Following other vehicles too closely doesn't allow sufficient time to react to sudden stops or emergencies. Tailgating can result in rear-end collisions.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Inexperienced or young drivers often lack the skills and judgment necessary to handle complex driving situations, which can lead to accidents.
• Mechanical Failures: Vehicle malfunctions, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, and engine problems, can result in accidents when drivers lose control of their vehicles.
• Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven road surfaces, and poorly marked construction zones can contribute to accidents. Drivers may lose control when navigating these road hazards.
• Animals on the Road: Striking animals, such as deer, can cause accidents, particularly in rural areas where wildlife is more common.
• Medical Conditions: Sudden medical emergencies, such as heart attacks or seizures, can incapacitate drivers, leading to accidents.

Florida Car Accident Laws

In Florida, all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance as part of their auto insurance coverage. PIP insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault, for injuries sustained in a car accident. When an accident occurs, injured parties first turn to their own PIP insurance for compensation.

However, Florida also has a "serious injury threshold" that allows individuals to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for additional damages in cases of serious injuries. To qualify for this threshold, the injured party must have sustained a serious injury as defined by Florida law.

Serious injuries generally include:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function.
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability.
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.

No Fees if No Recovery

Burnetti, P.A. is proud to handle Winter Haven car accident claims based on a contingent fee. A contingency fee is based on the amount of recovery (compensation) obtained at the end of the case. This means there are no upfront costs, and do not pay any fees if you do not recover damages (money) from the negligent clients.

About Winter Haven

Winter Haven, Florida, is the second largest city in Polk County with a population of over 32,000. Located midway between Tampa and Orlando, Winter Haven’s roads are filled with local residents, commuters, and seasonal residents. As a result, major roads, including U.S. 17, U.S. 27, State Road 540, State Road 542, and State Road 544 are frequently congested, and ongoing growth and construction present drivers with additional challenges.

Local hospitals include Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, Lake Wales Medical Center, and Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Winter Haven was incorporated in 1911, and was home to the first Publix supermarket around 1930. In 1936 Cypress Gardens, theme park, opened and was open for nearly 75 years. In 2011, Legoland opened on the same grounds as the former Cypress Gardens.

As Winter Haven continues to grow, the number of car accident injuries and fatalities continues to increase.

Need Help if Your Car is in a Winter Haven Auto Body Shop?

Following an accident, victims may be in pain and confused on what to do, especially if their vehicle is in a collision repair center in Winter Haven and they are without transportation. Burnetti, P.A. accident lawyers may be able to help you obtain transportation if you are injured and your car is in a Winter Haven collision center.