Were you recently injured in a car accident in Vero Beach, FL? Our experienced Vero Beach car accident lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (772) 777-7700 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact our Vero Beach, FL law offices to discuss the legal options that might be available to you following your car accident. The next steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your car accident case today.
Were You Involved in a Car Accident in Vero Beach?
Vero Beach is a crucial community along Florida’s Treasure Community. It serves as tourism, aviation manufacturing, and citrus industry center. With all these activities, it’s very active and provides variety for boaters and fishing enthusiasts. But even with the lively activities, car accidents are a serious problem in the region.
The Vero Beach car accident lawyer at Shiner Law Group dedicates themselves to providing legal representation for car accident victims in the region. We strongly believe that you deserve to understand your legal rights and litigate for a full and fair settlement when needed.
If you or a loved one gets involved in a Vero Beach car accident, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. Our professional team of attorneys will help you seek the proper treatment, gather the medical bills and records to support your injury case, and collect any other essential information that will strengthen your claim.
Safety Tips to Minimize the Risk of Getting into a Car Accident in Vero Beach
Some common causes of car accidents are unnecessary if road users follow the proper safety precautionary measures. If you’re a driver in Vero Beach, ensure that:
- You keep your eyes on the road at all times
- You always maintain the proper distance between you and the car in front so that if they halt suddenly or swerve, you’ll avoid hitting them
- You’re cautious to other drivers
- Always wear your safety belt
- You’re aware of all blindspots
- You keep your hands on the wheel at all times
- Observe and obey all the traffic rules
Most pedestrian accidents happen due to the pedestrian or the driver’s negligence. However, you can avoid the risk of being a car accident victim by:
- Increasing your visibility when walking along the road at night – if a driver doesn’t see you clearly, there’s a high likelihood that they’ll hit you. You can avoid this by wearing bright clothes, a reflector, or using a flashlight at night.
- Always cross the street at designated crosswalks – a driver who is paying attention will always see you when crossing the road at a crosswalk. Moreover, crosswalks have markings and signs that alert the driver. Crossing the street anywhere else other than the crosswalk, you may surprise the motorist, making them get into a crash trying to avoid you.
- Avoid distractions – when using the sidewalk, avoid distractions as you may walk into the road or get too close to an oncoming vehicle. Common distractions include texting and wearing your headphones.
If injured in a car accident in Vero Beach, your lawyer will help investigate the cause of the accident. Observing the above safety tips makes it easy to determine the other party’s liability for the accident.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Vero Beach
Many things can lead to avoidable car accidents. While car accidents can occur at any time and any place, statistics indicate that there are some common causes, and they include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a prevalent cause of car accidents in Florida, and the number continues to grow. There is a wide range of distractions, including:
- Texting or talking on the phone while behind the wheel
- Using the car’s dashboard system for texting
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to other people
- Navigating or playing music while driving
Drunk Driving
Alcohol impacts the driver’s ability to see, focus, and function normally while driving. According to statistics, many road fatalities in Florida result from drunk driving. Unfortunately, car accidents in Vero beach that result from drunk driving cause some of the most devastating effects. As a result, Florida has stringent laws on drunk driving and breaking them results in harsh penalties such as suspension of the driver’s license.
Reckless Driving
Some drivers practice careless driving on the road, such as running a stop sign, tailgating, or darting in and out of traffic to avoid slowing down. These behaviors are reckless and a common cause of car accidents in Vero Beach.
Hazardous Conditions
Vero Beach has sudden torrential downpours that affect the driver’s visibility, flooded street, and storm debris. These conditions increase the risk of car accidents in the area.
Bikers, Cyclists, and Pedestrians
With its tropical climate, Vero Beach attracts many bikers, cyclists, and pedestrians who like to enjoy the sunshine. As a result, car accidents involving these three victim groups are common in Vero Beach.
Types of Injuries Sustained After a Car Accident
The number of damages sustained after a car accident are numerous. The severity of the injury depends on the size, weight of the car, and collision intensity. Whether the passengers were wearing seat belts or not also determines the severity.
If you consider the insurance costs, the medical expenses, and the overall impact of the injuries on your life, any type of injury can be devastating. Below are some of the most common types of damages that you’re likely to sustain after a car accident.
Scrapes and Cuts
These types of injuries are long and narrow incisions on the skin. They result from flying hazards such as broken glass, airbags, and car parts during a car crash. If you suffer from these types of injuries, these symptoms will help you determine whether the cut is infected:
- Severe redding on the area around the wound
- Intensified pain or swelling after 24 or 48 hours
- The scab is getting bigger
- There’s pus draining from the cut
- Fever
If you observe any of these symptoms, you need immediate medical attention.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These injuries affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue. The injuries are common to both minor and severe car accident victims. These injuries are characterized by:
- Limited motion
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- A snapping sound or feeling
Arm and Leg Injuries
You may experience fractured arm and leg bones due to the sudden change of direction during a crush. Arms and legs injuries are characterized by:
- Limited range of motion
- Pain
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Bruising
- Tingling
- Deformity
Head Injuries
Head damage and trauma are typical during a car accident. Unfortunately, these injuries are the leading cause of car accident fatalities. If involved in a minor car crash, you may sustain bruises, scrapes, and lacerations if you hit any part of the car. But if you are in a fatal car accident, you may sustain severe head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, concussions, or permanent brain damage. If involved in a car accident and sustain head injuries, you should look out for the following symptoms:
- Bleeding
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Blurred vision
- Changes in behavior
- Passing out
- Difficulty speaking
- Feeling confused
At Shiner Law Group, we share a deep compassion for those injured in a car accident in Vero Beach. Our experienced staff is dedicated to determining the negligent party and ensuring that they are responsible for their careless actions.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Vero Beach
As you can see above, car accidents in Vero Beach can occur for several reasons and result in devastating effects. If you get into a car accident in Vero Beach, there are certain steps that you need to follow to ensure everyone’s safety, obey the law, and get the insurance claim started. These steps are useful whether you were at fault or not.
Determine Your Injuries
If you’ve suffered minor injuries, you can call the emergency services, but if the injuries are severe, don’t try to move and instead ask someone to call 911.
Ensure the Safety of Your Passengers
If your injuries are not severe, check the well-being of the other passengers. If any of them are too hurt, call the emergency services or ask someone to make the call.
Get to Safety
If you can walk, move to the sidewalk or the side of the road. If your car is moveable, pull it to the side of the road to prevent causing an obstacle to other vehicles. But if it’s in bad condition, leave it where it is and move to safety.
Contact the Police
Whether it’s a minor or a serious accident, you should call the police to help them file a report about the accident. If the police cannot come to the site, ensure you go to the nearest police station and file the report yourself.
Exchange Contact Information
After ensuring that none of your passengers is hurt, exchange your contact information with the other driver. Make sure you get the following details:
- Full names and phone number
- Driver’s license and number plate numbers
- Insurance company and the policy number
- Type, model, and the color of the car
- Location of the accident
However, avoid discussing the accident details with the other driver or other people other than the police and your lawyer.
Document the Accident
To protect yourself, be sure to document the accident by doing the following:
- Taking the details of the officers that examine the accident scene
- Requesting a copy of the accident report from the officers. It will help your lawyer while investigating and determining liability in the accident
- Take pictures of your car from different angles to help show the damages sustained. These photos will assist your car accident lawyer in determining fair compensation.
- Talk to eyewitnesses and get their names and contact information.
You may want to contact your Vero Beach car accident lawyer while still at the scene. They will guide you on what information you need to gather while still at the scene.
How a Vero Beach Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that your auto insurance policy must include personal injury protection (PIP) liability insurance. This law means that you need to turn to your auto insurance for a claim, regardless of who is at fault. However, if you suffered severe injuries that the PIP cannot cover, you have a right to make a legal claim against the party at fault.
Proving someone’s negligence and defending your innocence after a car accident is complicated. That’s why you need a Vero Beach car accident attorney to help prove that the other driver was at fault.
Suppose you sustained serious injuries from the accident. In that case, our experienced personal injury attorneys at Shiner Law Group will fight on your behalf and ensure that you get enough compensation to cater for the medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and the required financial stability in your future.
Call us now and get the legal representation and support you can count on if involved in a car accident in Vero Beach.
