Causes of Car Accidents

front of a car after a car accident

Florida Lawyer Aiding People Hurt in Car Crashes in the Pursuit of Damages

Car accidents can happen in good or bad weather, on busy or empty roads, and at any time of day. While there are many causes of car accidents, typically, the primary reason they occur is negligence, and people who carelessly cause others to suffer harm may be held legally responsible for any damages incurred. If you sustained losses due to a car crash, you might be able to recover damages, and you should confer with a Pensacola personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The knowledgeable Florida car accident lawyers of Cardoso Law, PLLC, take pride in helping people hurt by the carelessness of others in the pursuit of justice, and if you hire us, we will tirelessly pursue any compensation you may be owed. Our office is located in Pensacola, and we regularly represent people in cases arising out of car accidents in cities throughout Florida.

Typical Causes of Car Accidents

Essentially, there are four primary causes of car accidents: poor weather, dangerous roads, defective vehicles, and unsafe driving. Inclement weather, such as fog, rain, or strong winds, can make it difficult for drivers to see or maintain control of their vehicles, which can lead to a crash. If a road is designed in a manner that results in reduced visibility at an intersection, merge point, turn, or curve, or lacks adequate traffic control devices, motorists may be unable to accurately determine whether it is safe to proceed, which often results in collisions.

In some instances, a car or one of its components will suffer from a defect that occurred during the design or manufacturing process that ultimately led to an accident. For example, defective brakes may fail to operate, making a crash unavoidable. The majority of collisions, though, involve some degree of reckless driving, such as speeding, texting while driving, failing to obey traffic devices, and turning without adequate clearance.

Pursuing Claims Following Car Accidents

While there are many scenarios that can lead to a collision, the main cause of most crashes is the failure of one or more people to perform a task or duty with care. As such, in most lawsuits arising out of collisions, the plaintiff will seek damages under a theory of negligence. Under Florida law, in order to prove negligence, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty. In some cases, the duty owed is to act with reasonable care, while in others, it is an obligation imposed by a statute or regulation.

The plaintiff then must demonstrate that the defendant breached the duty in some way. For example, it may be considered a breach if the defendant failed to yield the right of way to the plaintiff despite signs indicating it was necessary to do so. Last, the plaintiff needs to establish that the defendant caused the plaintiff to incur actual damages. In other words, the defendant caused the accident, and the plaintiff suffered harm as a result.

Damages Recoverable in Car Accident Cases

A plaintiff who successfully demonstrates a defendant’s fault may be awarded compensation for the economic and non-economic losses sustained in the collision. Economic losses include the cost of any medical treatment needed after the crash, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic harm usually consists of emotional and mental trauma, pain, and suffering the plaintiff experienced as a result of the accident.

Meet with a Dedicated Pensacola Attorney

Regardless of why they occur, car accidents frequently cause lasting physical, emotional, and financial harm, and people injured by the carelessness of others should be compensated for their losses. The dedicated Florida car accident attorneys of Cardoso Law, PLLC, have ample experience helping injured parties pursue damages, and if you engage our services, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. We have an office in Pensacola, and we frequently represent people in car accident lawsuits in Pensacola, Ferry Pass, West Pensacola, Cantonment, Brent, Bellview, Century, Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Niceville. We also help people hurt in collisions in cities in Santa Rosa, Escambia, and Okaloosa Counties and throughout Florida. You can reach us at (850) 466-2073 or via the form online to schedule a conference.