In Florida, when a vehicle crash occurs, each person’s own automotive insurance policy is supposed to pay for property damage, lost wages during recovery, and medical expenses. In this sense, it does not matter who was technically at fault. Hiring an auto injury attorney in Live Oak, FL may be necessary if an insurer refuses to pay.
Texting and Other Distracted Driving Statistics in Florida
Florida legislators made texting while driving illegal as of July 2019. Drivers in the state had caused a large number of accidents while texting over recent years. Texting and other forms of distracted driving accounted for about 50,000 vehicle crashes in Florida during 2017, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. More than 200 fatalities occurred in these incidents, and more than 3,000 people were left with serious injuries.
If a driver tries to make an insurance claim after causing an accident while texting behind the wheel, the insurer may refuse to pay. That is especially likely now that the behavior is illegal. An auto injury attorney in Live Oak, FL may be able to negotiate with the insurance adjusters.
Other Common Reasons for Accidents
Some of the other most common reasons for vehicle accidents in Florida include driving under the influence of alcohol, driving well above the speed limit, and reckless driving. Any time drivers have engaged in these behaviors and then try to make an insurance claim, they may wind up dealing with a claim dispute. They may need to hire a lawyer such as Duane E. Thomas, Attorney at Law to see if the situation can be resolved with a positive outcome.
Ignoring Safety Belts
Safety belt use has been required by law for a long time, yet many people still refuse to wear them. They may assume airbags will provide enough protection if a crash happens. Almost half of the fatalities in Florida car accidents occur when the person was not belted in. Someone who is seriously injured while not wearing a safety belt may find the automotive insurer offering a much lower amount of compensation than expected.
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