WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS?
In the United States alone, there are over 6 million car accidents each year. There are a variety of causes of car accidents that are responsible for the wreckage that millions of motorists must face each year. Familiarizing yourself with the most common causes of car accidents can help you prepare to be safer while you’re on the road.
If you’re interested in road safety or are simply just curious about car accidents, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our breakdown of the most common causes of car accidents and tips to avoid them.
Driver Related Accidents
To better understand the top causes of car accidents, we can first break the causes down into two different categories. The first category we’ll focus on is driver-related accidents. These accidents are specifically due to the fault of the driver of the vehicle.
Distracted Driving
When it comes to car crashes caused by distracted driving, the margin of error is very high. Distracted driving can come in many forms and varies on person to person basis.
One of the most common types of distracted driving is texting or cellphone usage while driving. In the United States, distracted driving killed over 2,000 people in 2018 alone. While distracted driving is common for all age groups. It is a major leading cause of car crashes for younger generations.
As mentioned previously, distracted driving can take many forms that aren’t just related to texting. Other activities that lead to distracted driving could include taking your eyes off the road, eating, reaching in the back seat, and much more.
Driving While Under the Influence
It’s no secret that drunk driving is a major issue across the globe. In fact, a DUI or driving under the influence is one of the most common traffic violations across the United States. Drunk driving not only affects the driver but everyone else on the road as well.
Driving while under the influence of drugs is also a major offense that is not to be taken lightly. While some states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, driving while under the influence is still illegal and a major offense.
Sleeping
We’ve all been on long car rides where we’ve started to get a bit tired while driving. Falling asleep while driving affects a major portion of the population, whether on long car rides or simply driving home from work.
Even being fatigued but not falling completely asleep is still dangerous when driving. Being a tired driver can significantly lower your reaction times and the ability to make quick decisions and obey traffic laws.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving can include everything from crossing a double yellow line to aggressively cutting someone off in traffic. No matter your reason for reckless driving, the act can clearly cause significant risk for yourself and other drivers around you.
Not Obeying Redlights and Stop Signs
Redlights and stop signs are put in place for a reason. A major cause of car accidents across the globe is the ignoring of traffic signals and laws. Whether you’re in a hurry to get to work or you don’t look both ways before turning at a stop sign, not obeying these rules can have serious and even life-threatening effects.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common offenses that many people encounter throughout their driving career. You probably know someone who has gotten a speeding ticket before. Perhaps you yourself have even encountered this first hand. While speeding itself isn’t always the cause of car accidents, the effects speeding can have on your ability to maintain control of your vehicle can be a major cause of crashes.
Speeding vehicles tend to have slower reaction times and can even be harder to control on the road. In the event of a car accident, the car’s speed can severely affect the injuries sustained by the driver and passengers.
Non-Driver Related Accidents
Non-driver-related accidents are accidents that happen due to reasons that are outside of the drivers’ control. While these types of accidents are less common, they still make up a portion of accidents.
Weather Conditions
If you’ve driven through the rain or snow before, you know how scary driving in difficult weather conditions can be. If your vehicle is not meant for colder weather, driving through the snow can be tough to manage.
Even if you’re an experienced driver, weather can be highly unpredictable and lead to hazardous conditions on the road. Many weather conditions can make vehicles more hazardous if they aren’t properly maintained or prepared for winter weather.
Road Conditions
Sometimes the roads themselves can be the problem when it comes to car crashes. Potholes and other unsafe road hazards have been known to lead to car crashes and dangerous conditions. Issues such as road construction, downed powerlines, potholes, and many more are leading causes of car crashes due to hazardous road conditions.
Vehicle Defects
While not as common as the other causes on this list, vehicle defects are still a major force to be reckoned with. The manufacturer might recall your vehicle due to hazardous materials or mechanisms that can lead to crashes. Or, unsafe conditions if your vehicle were to be in an accident.
Vehicle defects can also be caused by the lack of maintenance of your vehicle. When ensuring the safety of your vehicle on the road, performing regular tune-ups and checks on your car is an absolute must.
Preventing the Causes of Car Accidents
When it comes to preventing the causes of car accidents, there are several things you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Being aware of your well-being and surroundings is an absolute must every time you get on the road.
If you’re looking to become a safer driver, one of the best things you can do is to stay informed and know what to look out for. If you should ever find yourself in trouble, know what resources are available to you.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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HOW IS FAULT DETERMINED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?
There is an average of six million car accidents every year in the United States. The sad truth is that car accidents happen all the time on all kinds of streets to all kinds of drivers. But by knowing the answer to “how is fault determined in a car accident?”, you can be more prepared for any issues that arise should you end up in a car accident.
Are you interested in learning more? If you are, then keep on reading and we’ll take you through everything you need to know about determining fault in a car accident.
How Police Determine Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident
After a car accident is reported to the police, the police officers will be responsible for preparing a police report about what took place. A police officer will interview all of the drivers involved as well as any witnesses about the car accident. They’ll ask a variety of questions meant to put together an accurate retelling of what transpired.
After the police officer has decided that they have enough information, they’ll submit their report to their department. That report might contain a statement about who was at fault for the car accident based on the officer’s judgment.
However, there are many police reports that don’t include a determination of fault. It’s also worth pointing out that even if a police report states who was responsible for the auto accident. That doesn’t automatically mean that person is going to be held legally responsible for damages.
Sometimes, an officer will issue a traffic citation during their investigation. This citation can be used as evidence that the driver was negligent in a later lawsuit.
How Insurance Companies Determine Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident
After filing a claim with an insurance company, the company will assign the claim to an adjuster. That person will oversee the investigation into the incident. As well as, the settlement of the insurance claim.
Usually, there’s more than one adjustor involved in this process. That’s because each driver’s insurance company is going to want to choose an adjustor to look into the auto accident.
Adjustors research the auto accident, look at medical records, talk with witnesses, and examine damage to the vehicles. They will also verify the insurance policy details of the drivers involved.
In the end, the adjustor will determine who was at fault in the accident. Sometimes, they’ll even assign a percentage of fault to each driver.
From there, the insurance companies will apportion the costs of the auto accident based on that percentage. They will also compensate the drivers involved according to the terms of their insurance policies.
Usually, an insurance company will determine fault based on the legal definition of negligence in the state where the accident took place. A person who is negligent fails to exercise the amount of caution that a reasonable person would under those same circumstances.
For example, if a driver runs a red light. And, hits a car that was legally passing through an intersection. Then they will likely find that driver negligent and at fault for the accident.
How Courts Determine Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident
If you were to file a lawsuit after getting into an auto accident, a court is going to decide who was at fault. They will accomplish this by considering if the defendant was negligent.
In order to decide your case, a court is going to consider arguments from the parties’ lawyers. They’ll also look at various pieces of evidence presented by those lawyers. This evidence can include testimony from:
- doctors
- accident reconstruction professionals
- police officers who investigated the accident
- people who witnessed the accident
- drivers involved in the car accident
Either a jury or a judge will determine whether the other driver was negligent. They’ll also decide if the defendant has to pay you money in order to compensate you for damages.
It’s worth noting that police reports and determinations made by insurance companies won’t control the outcome of a court case. For one thing, they might prevent certain evidence from being introduced during trial, such as police reports. Also, different rules govern the legal determination of responsibility for a car accident.
You should also remember that evidence of a traffic citation or violation can persuade a court that the violating party was negligent and at fault for the accident. This is a concept known as negligence per se and it can be quite useful to your case if you were injured by a driver who violated traffic rules.
The Importance of Knowing How To Determined Fault
A car accident can be a traumatizing, confusing, and overwhelming experience. Dealing with insurance companies, police officers, and the possibility of a lawsuit can be scary and difficult. After an injury from a car accident, you could worry about whether or not you were at fault. Luckily, an experienced car accident attorney can help you.
However, a reliable attorney can do more than provide you with useful legal advice. They can also make sure that your rights are protected, and that you don’t give statements the other side can use against you. As well as, that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of how they determine fault in a car accident. And, how different parties can come to different conclusions.
Were you recently in a car accident and looking for help? If so, then contact us today and see what we can do for you!
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Have you recently been involved in a car accident and are unsure of the proper process for hiring a lawyer? Do you find it overwhelming to figure out how to find the right lawyer for your case? If so, then you need a few questions to ask as you search for a car accident attorney.
Doing so can help you find the right fit for your case. Rather than going through the entire process, uncertain of whether you made the right choice, you can have confidence in your lawyer, which is so important.
See below for several questions that you can ask to find the right attorney to represent you in your case.
1. Do You FOCUS ON Car Accidents?
This is a critical question to start things off. Too many people make the mistake of hiring a lawyer who focuses on other areas because they’re a close connection or a family member.
Doing so can sabotage your case. Since they’ll be going up against someone who knows the processes for your local car accident court like the back of their hand.
Here’s a common misconception that people make: they think that personal injury is an all-inclusive area of law. It’s not. There are many different aspects to personal injury, such as slip and falls, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and so much more.
Whenever you reach out to a trusted car accident attorney, be sure to ask if they focus on car accident cases. Have them tell you a story or two about the clients that they’ve represented in car accident cases.
Better yet, what does their experience tell them about your case? Should you pursue legal action? What’s the best route to take? What would they recommend you do if you were to hire them for your car accident case?
2. What Are Your Thoughts on My Case?
When you initially meet with the car accident lawyer, you’ll want to get a feel for how they perceive your case. This is when you can gauge whether or not they’re the right ones for you to hire.
Lay out as many details as you wish about the car accident and what occurred. After telling the story, be sure to ask some questions to see what their thoughts are about your case moving forward.
How long do they think the timeline would take if you pursued compensation? Off the top, what do they think are the strong parts of your case? What do they think could work against you? Do they foresee the case going to trial or getting settled beforehand?
Lastly, what amount of compensation would they have you go after? How did they come up with that number? It’s always in your best interest to understand your attorney’s way of thinking. This will help communication come naturally and easily.
Too often, a lawyer will actually back out of the case because they and their client aren’t seeing eye to eye. By asking these questions before hiring them, you’ll avoid that problem altogether.
3. What Are Your Fees?
So many people are hesitant to ask about pricing, but it’s an important conversation to have. You want to make sure the attorney you hire is compensated well, but still charges you a fair rate for their experience.
Simply throw the question out there from the get-go. What are their fees, and how much should you expect them to charge for my services? Most lawyers charge on an hourly basis, so you’ll be able to keep track of the amount you can expect to pay.
Remember, the pricing can fluctuate depending on the lawyer’s experience level and the severity of your case, as well as a number of other factors.
Have them give you an estimate of what you can expect to pay after all of the fees (court and lawyer) are added. That way, you can start saving up to pay them off or apply for a pre-settlement loan to pay them off while you await the outcome of your case.
4. What Are the Next Steps if I Hire You?
A big reason that you need an experienced lawyer is for the guidance that they can offer you throughout this process. They can tell you how to handle the case moving forward.
Your lawyer will also take over the reins for communication with the opposition in mediation and help you compile evidence to strengthen your case.
Whenever you ask this question, they should give you a better understanding of the next steps you can expect. Understandably, they might not reveal their entire plan until you officially hire them.
5. How Would You Keep Me in the Loop?
You should never have to be in the dark on your own case. The attorney that you hire should always keep you in the loop with where they’re at and what you can expect.
Ask them how they plan to offer you updates on your case. What’s the best way(s) for you to reach out to them? Are they going to oversee every aspect of your case or delegate to other people at their firm?
Be sure you have an understanding of what events they’ll attend. For example, are they going to be there for all your court appearances? Negotiation meetings?
Find the Perfect Car Accident Attorney for Your Case
Now that you have seen what questions you need to ask while you look around for the right car accident attorney, it’s time to start your search!
Be sure to read this article to get a few driving safety tips you can use while traveling for the holidays, wherever you may be headed.
For more inquiries, please feel free to reach out via our contact us page, and we will be happy to assist you further.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO FIGHT A TICKET
There are upwards of 50 million traffic tickets given out each year. Making the business a multi-billion dollar business that’s not going anywhere anytime soon. If you’re one of the unlucky people who has received a traffic ticket, you may be wondering how to fight a ticket.
We’re here to give you some tips to help you know how to fight a traffic ticket. While it may work in some scenarios. It’s not always going to get you out of having to pay that fine.
Continue reading now for everything you need to know when it comes to disputing an unjust traffic ticket.
Get Ready for Court
If you’re not willing to pay a traffic ticket that you feel you’ve been given wrongly, one of the best things you can do is go to court. But, there are some things that you need to do before getting to court.
One of the first things you need to do is find a lawyer and a good one at that. Your lawyer will have a working knowledge of the law. And, be able to find ones that pertain to your case.
These laws may prove that you were not in the wrong and can get the ticket thrown out. Meaning that you don’t have to pay the fine. Ensure that you show up early on the day of court and are ready when they call your name.
The worst thing you can do when fighting a ticket in court is showing up late and unprepared.
Talk the Ticket Away
If you get pulled over and absolutely don’t want to get a ticket, you can always try talking your way out of it. We know you’ve seen it done time and time again on television. But in real life, it may not be that easy to do.
When you’re looking to talk your way out of a ticket, you must remember to remain as calm as possible during the entire time you’re interacting with the ticketing officer. You don’t want to create any situation that would cause the officer to suspect that you’re trying to do something that would warrant further actions, such as an arrest.
You’ll find that when you’re looking to talk your way out of a ticket, being as polite as possible will go a long way. When the officer sees that you’re complying with everything they’re saying and have things like your driver’s license and registration ready to go, it may lead them to let you go without a ticket.
Traffic School
There are going to be times when even if you’ve hired a lawyer and argued your case or attempted to talk your way out of a traffic ticket, it simply won’t be enough. In the end, you’ll have to pay the ticket. And, depending on the severity of the speeding ticket, you may face having points on your license.
This is when you should take the initiative and enter traffic school. By taking a traffic school course, you can avoid having those points placed on your license, which means that you don’t have to worry about your insurance going up as a result.
Prove There Was a Mistake
Take the time to look the ticket over carefully once it’s been received. As well as take note of what you received the ticket for. There will be times when you’ve received a ticket, and it was a mistake on the officer’s part.
It’s your job to identify this mistake and point it out in court. For example, if there was a tree that was blocking a stop sign, and you received a ticket for not stopping. Because a judge may consider this when it comes to dismissing the ticket.
More Significant Harm Could’ve Happened
If you got the ticket for avoiding causing an accident or some other harm to yourself and other drivers on the road. This could be a reason to throw the ticket out. But, you would have to relay this information to your lawyer and let them argue it in court.
They will need to prove that had you not made the violation that you made, something worse could’ve happened to you and others around you. The judge will consider this, and as long as the argument was made effectively, you could be looking at a ticket dismissal.
Of course, for all these things to take place, it’s essential that you have a lawyer who knows what they’re doing. The lawyer should have represented cases like yours in the past.
It will help provide you with the confidence you need to trust them and increase the odds of getting the results you’ve been looking for. A good lawyer will make all the difference when you get to court.
Traffic Ticket: Coming to a Full Stop
When it comes to getting out of a traffic ticket, there are various things that you could try to increase your chances of getting out of a ticket or not getting a ticket in the first place. You could try to talk your way out of a ticket. Or, you could hire a lawyer and have them argue your case in court.
Speaking of lawyers for all your auto court case needs, contact RHINO Lawyers. We’ve got the knowledge and experience to help you achieve the results that you’re looking for.
All you’ve got to do is reach out to our team of legal professionals.
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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7 THINGS TO DO AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
Do you know what to do after you’ve been in a motorcycle accident?
With over 6 million road traffic accidents in the US each year, it’s more common than you might think. But if you’ve never been in one before, you might not know what you need to do after it happens.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these seven things you need to do after a motorcycle accident.
1. Get Medical Help
You should always get the right treatment you need after a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle accidents are different in that it’s very rare for there to be no damage or injury.
It’s important you get better, and your best chance is to seek out proper medical treatment. You may need ongoing treatment too, so you can get back on your feet.
Getting proper medical attention will also add weight to any claim you have. It’s a notorious tactic where insurers use gaps or delays in medical treatment to accuse you of lying. They’ll try to use it as evidence to discredit you and your injuries.
So, seek immediate medical attention. And if you need to follow up with regular treatments after, then do so. It’ll give you the proof you need that your injuries are as serious as you said they are.
2. Gather Contact Information
If you’re able to, you should get all the information from other drivers at the scene while you wait for 911. This should include:
- full name
- address
- phone number & email
- insurance company
- license plate numbers
- witness statements
In some instances (especially if they are at fault) drivers will try to flee the scene or getaway as fast as they can. By getting this information while you wait for authorities, it can help protect you.
You shouldn’t have to suffer for the negligence of another driver leaving the scene. But, you should never talk about the facts of the accident, or admit fault. You shouldn’t even apologize as, in court, the opposition can claim this is admitting fault. This could devalue any claim you’re entitled to.
3. Get Photographs
Photographic evidence of the scene right after it happens is highly-reliable. It’s more accurate than handwritten or drawn diagrams and witness statements.
How the scene looks after the crash will give vital clues on the cause. It can help police, insurers and your attorneys work out who was at fault. And build you a strong case.
The police will do their own investigation, with their own photos. But while you’re waiting, get some of your own. It’ll help you get a headstart when you go to a lawyer to help you with your case.
Plus, it’s not uncommon for police officers to make mistakes. The extra information can’t hurt. So, use your smartphone to record a video and walk around the scene (but don’t touch or move anything). Then take still shots of everything, from as many angles as you can.
Focus on getting pictures of things you think will help your case. Get in any hazards or poor road conditions. Skid marks, debris scattered, resting vehicle position too. Photo the current weather conditions and include any visible injuries to yourself.
4. Get a Copy of the Police Report
Soon after your motorcycle accident, you should get a copy of the police report. It can take up to 10 days for this to be ready though, bear in mind.
To order a copy, you can go through your State’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Usually, you’ll need to pay for the report, as well as a convenience fee, but this will differ from state to state.
When you buy it, it’ll usually come in an online format that you can download. Or, if you want to get a hard copy, then you should head down to your nearest Highway Patrol Troop Station.
5. Put In Your Insurance Claim
You need to notify your insurance company of an accident as soon as it happens. In their requirements, most insurers will state that you must notify them of any crashes. Even if you didn’t cause them.
If you don’t, they might choose not to keep you on when you need to renew your insurance. Or they may even cancel it.
So, you should start to file a claim with your motorcycle insurance provider. But, until you have a lawyer, don’t tell them any details of the crash or admit fault. You should only let them know that a crash happened.
Once you’ve notified them, they’ll then contact the other parties’ insurers. If you aren’t carrying any insurance, then you need to contact the other parties’ insurers.
Remember, the insurance company isn’t your friend. This is even more true if you’re not the policyholder, so don’t expect them to have your back. Report the accident, but that’s it. Don’t give any more information than that.
They will send out an adjuster/investigator to look into the cause and do an investigation. If you say too much, it might put the onus on you and it could bring down the value of your claim entitlement.
6. Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
With motorcycle accidents, it’s best to get a lawyer. There are several factors that can end up causing a motorcycle accident, including:
- other drivers in larger vehicles
- motorcycle defects
- poor road maintenance and condition
A lawyer who has experience in motorcycle accidents will conduct an investigation. They’ll look into what caused the crash and who was liable. And they’re well versed in what to look for to strengthen your case.
Having a lawyer on your side can also help when it comes to negotiating and talking to insurers. As we said, they’re not your friend and will look to pay out as little as possible.
It can be intimidating for someone who doesn’t know how to handle them. But an experienced lawyer won’t be a pushover and can fight to get you the compensation you deserve. And you can focus on healing and recovering.
7. Keep Away From Social Media
Insurance investigators will try to find any way they might reduce your claim. Social media posts can go against you if the investigators read them wrong.
They might use pictures you’ve posted to downplay your injuries. Or they might try to claim you’re making a better, faster recovery than you’ve claimed.
Investigators might even dig into your history. They’re looking to find any evidence of previous accidents or injuries. This might allow them to try and claim you must have been at fault as it’s happened before.
You don’t need to delete your social media but review your privacy settings. And never post anything about the accidents until you’ve settled the claim or it’s been to court.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident Made Easy
So, there you have it! Now you know these seven things to do after a motorcycle accident, you’ll know how to handle it if the worst happens.
Seek medical treatment for your injuries, and if you can, take pictures of the scene. Gather information from all involved parties and any witnesses. And most of all, remember you’re not alone. An experienced lawyer can help guide you and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you are looking for an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer for your case, then contact us today at RHINO Lawyers.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a motorcycle accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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