Dangerous Weather Causes Accidents and Severe Injuries
Late summer and early autumn are the perfect time for Florida hurricanes, rainy and windy weather, flooding, and hazardous road conditions of all types. Most recently for the state of Florida—and for the greater St. Petersburg area—Hurricane Irma demonstrated firsthand Mother Nature's unbridled power and potential for widespread destruction and devastation.
Hazardous weather conditions must always be taken into account when operating motor vehicles on Florida roadways. When drivers operate their vehicles at highway speeds while the roadways are still wet and the wind is still blowing, it is very easy for them to lose control of their vehicles, hydroplane, and collide with other motor vehicles. When large puddles of water collect in low-lying areas, drivers must be especially careful and exercise extreme caution when operating their vehicles. In many cases, the best option is simply to refrain from driving when Florida weather conditions turn ugly.
Most bad-weather accidents occur when drivers are in a hurry, fail to drive in a reasonable manner for the road and weather conditions, and fail to use common sense. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bad-weather accident to which a negligent driver may have contributed, you could be entitled to monetary damages under Florida law. The knowledgeable St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA have the experience and expertise to examine the facts and circumstances of your case, explore your legal options, and maximize the value of your case.
Common Causes of St. Petersburg Bad-Weather Accidents
Reckless, inattentive, and negligent driving, combined with adverse weather conditions, create the perfect storm for serious motor vehicle accidents. Some of the most common causes of Florida bad-weather accidents include the following:
- Negligent, distracted, or inattentive driving
- Driving too fast for the weather conditions (e.g., wind and rain)
- Hydroplaning
- Defective, bald, or low tires
- Speeding in low-lying areas
- Always Keep Your Eyes on the Road
- If you must operate a motor vehicle during bad Florida weather, it is important to keep the
- following in mind to minimize the likelihood of a motor vehicle collision:
- Keep your eyes on the road at all times
- Refrain from texting, cell phone use, and other forms of distracted driving
- Obey all roadway signs and signals
- Obey right-of-way laws if traffic signals are not working
- Beware of debris on the road, such as tree limbs or branches
- Drive slowly to prevent hydroplaning, and do not exceed the posted speed limit
- Use your hazard lights, if necessary
- Pull off to the side of the road, if necessary
When Florida Drivers Drive Negligently in Bad Weather Conditions
Sometimes, no matter how carefully you drive, motor vehicle accidents will still occur in hazardous weather conditions. When other drivers operate their vehicles in a careless or reckless manner for the weather conditions, they are only making a bad situation worse.
In order for an injured driver to recover for injuries and damages sustained in a motor vehicle accident that another driver caused or to which he contributed, the injured driver must prove negligence on the part of the other driver. Specifically, the injured driver must prove that the other driver breached the duty to act reasonably and prudently under the circumstances—and that this breach factually and proximately resulted in certain injuries and damages.
Common Injuries and Damages Sustained in Florida Bad-Weather Motor Vehicle Accidents
When drivers do not take hazardous weather conditions into account on the road, the results can sometimes be catastrophic and deadly. Some of the most common injuries sustained in St. Petersburg bad-weather motor vehicle accidents include the following:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Soft tissue injuries
- Scrapes, abrasions, scratches, and bruises
- Permanent scarring (especially facial scarring)
- Death
In order to prove damages in a bad-weather motor vehicle accident, the injured plaintiff must show that the injuries sustained were causally related to the accident—or that the accident exacerbated a preexisting medical condition or prior injury. Injured motor vehicle accident victims may be able to recover some or all of the following types of economic and non-economic damages:
- Payment of all related medical and hospital bills and expenses (including doctors' bills, physical therapy bills, and surgery bills)
- Compensation for lost wages and time missed from work for attending medical appointments (and during the recovery period)
- Past, present, and future pain and suffering
- Past, present, and future mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of earning capacity in cases of permanent physical or mental impairment
- Compensation for permanent injuries and damages
- Compensation for inconvenience
- Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life connected with the injuries sustained in the accident
- Payment of all causally related bills for psychological or psychiatric treatment
- Compensation for loss of consortium, companionship, or spousal support
- Wrongful death (where applicable)
Contact a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer Today for a Free Initial Consultation
Florida bad-weather motor vehicle accidents can be catastrophic and deadly. If you or someone you love was injured in such an accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation under Florida law. The knowledgeable St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA have the necessary legal knowledge to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and if necessary, litigate your case through the Florida court system. Insurance companies are generally not on your side and do not have your best interests at heart. A negligent driver's insurance company will invariably try and settle your personal injury case for a fraction of what it is really worth, keeping its money in-house and distributing it to shareholders.
Our experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers have what it takes to fight an insurance company every step of the way—even if it means going to trial or resolving the disputed issues through alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer, please call us at (727) 472-3909 today or contact us online.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 1663 1st Ave S. St. Petersburg, FL33712 (727) 472-3909 https://www.dolmanlaw.com/st-petersburg-car-accident-attorneys/