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Imagine what it would have been like to be driving on a Florida interstate – I-4 or I-95, only to come up on a major accident scene: would you be able to stop your car before becoming a part of the pile up? Would you know what to do if the driver in the car or semi-truck behind you was unable to stop? Would you know whom to call if you were hurt?

For some, 2007′s 70-car pileup on I-4 near Orlando is still fresh in their minds, and even the suggestion of being involved in a similar accident sends a shiver through them. For others, remembering that accident causes an even stronger reaction, a fear of driving on the interstates, concerns about driving in some weather conditions, and a heightened awareness that a collision could happen at any time.

Of course, it isn’t just major pile up crashes that you need to be worried about when you are on the road. A sudden gust of wind, another driver losing his or her concentration while answering a cell phone or changing the station on the car radio, even a blown tire – particularly a steel-belted radial from a semi-truck: all of these are everyday occurrences, and each of them can lead to disaster on the highway.

If you were involved in a major collision on a Florida roadway – or, for that matter, in any number of other places – would you know the most appropriate way to respond? Do you know how your rights might differ, if a semi-truck or commercial vehicle were to hit you, rather than a smaller car? What if you were hit by a speed demon in his Ferrari, or if you were in an accident caused by a street race?

For that matter, what if it weren’t a collision that caused the accident? Road debris is a common cause of many highway accidents each and every year. Frequently, road debris is the result of blown tires, but at other times, the road debris might be the result of a recent accident that was not properly cleared, or even storm blown branches from nearby trees. In other cases, the road debris is the result of items in the back of a pickup truck not being secured for the speed of travel: buckets, tool boxes, empty boxes, even mattresses. Drivers coming up from behind may find these items to be difficult to avoid, because they are unexpected, and there may be nowhere to go, in order to avoid hitting the debris in the roadway, especially in heavy traffic.

When accidents happen on Florida roadways; whether they are the result of a collision, road debris, careless drivers, or weather conditions, and whether they involve semi-trucks or commercially licensed vehicles or not; it is essential that you know your legal rights.

If you are involved in a Florida accident, particularly if you suffer an injury because of the accident, your insurance policy may not offer enough compensation to replace your car and pay for your medical expenses. The same may be true if the driver of another car is responsible. However, if the accident that caused your injury involved a semi-truck or commercial vehicle, it’s important to recognize that there are regulations in place that may have an additional impact on your life, after the fact.

For example, if the truck driver was reckless, driving without sleep or for more than the legally permitted number of hours, or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your compensation for the accident could be much different than it would be in other situations. Similarly, if the semi-truck that was involved in the collision had not been properly maintained, there were maintenance issues that had not been addressed, or if the driver was not properly trained, legally there are additional actions that you could potentially take against the company to whom the truck was registered.

When there is a major vehicle accident, it’s not just your car, truck or SUV that can be damaged. Physical injuries are not uncommon, and they can lead to time off from work and lost income during your recovery period. An accident may impact your physical health in a serious way – injuries take time to heal, some injuries will require surgery and, whether you want to think about the possibility or not, some injuries lead to brain trauma or paralysis and permanent life changes.

It is for these reasons that it is essential that, if you are involved in a Florida collision, you know your rights. It is also important that you have a lawyer on your side – someone who can help you to learn about your options and who can take on the challenge of getting you the compensation that you rightly deserve to put your life back together again.
About The Author:
Justin Ziegler is a personal injury attorney who concentrates on injury law, serving clients who are injured in Florida. If you or a loved one has been involved in an injury accident or a fatal accident, Justin Ziegler will do everything possible in an attempt to get the compensation that you deserve. Located in Miami, Florida, Ziegler can be reached by phone at 305.403.0966 or Toll-free at 800.955.5085. Or visit his website at http://www.justinziegler.net/ to learn more. Se habla Espanol.

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