The cause of most traffic collisions lies with the driver. While vehicle defects, pedestrians entering the roadway, dangerous work zones, and other hazards can contribute to (and directly cause) collisions, most often, one or more drivers are at fault.
While most accidents result from driver error or poor judgment, never assume an accident's cause. Instead, hire a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer to investigate your collision, evaluate the evidence, and tell you exactly why someone put you in harm’s way—and possibly injured you.
Here’s What “Collision” Can Mean
A collision can refer to many accident types, including:
- A rear-end accident
- A head-on collision
- A side-impact crash (also known as a T-bone collision)
- A sideswipe accident
- A collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian, bicyclist, or scooter rider
- A crash between a motor vehicle and a motorcycle rider
- A rollover accident
- A single-vehicle accident (which can be the result of the motorist trying to avoid a collision)
If you were injured in any collision, speak to a car accident attorney. Even if another vehicle did not hit yours—for instance, if you swerved and hit a fixed object because another driver veered into your lane—you can recover compensation.
Some of the Most Common Causes of Traffic Collisions
Now that you understand the wide range of events that can qualify as a collision, let’s talk about why accidents happen. Some of the most common reasons for traffic accidents are:
Drivers Operating the Vehicle Carelessly
At least for now, most vehicles are controlled by human drivers—distractible, fallible human drivers. When an accident happens, it’s usually not because brakes blew out or a deer ran into the road.
Instead, collisions often occur because a driver is:
- Distracted
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Merging or entering traffic without adequate clearance
- Violating traffic lights or signs
- Engaging in other dangerous behavior
Motorists have many reasons for engaging in these dangerous behaviors—and not a single one is good. When a motorist’s careless or downright reckless behavior leads to a crash, you can hold them liable.
Motorists Being Unfit to Drive
Some motorists should not be behind the wheel. Their state while driving can be a hazard to both themselves and others.
Unfit motorists drive while:
- Drunk (or even just buzzed)
- Under the influence of a prescribed or unprescribed drug
- In a compromising emotional state (including being angry)
- Visually impaired (including due to foggy windshields and windows)
If a motorist has even an inkling that they should not drive, they should not get behind the wheel. The potential consequences of a crash—injury and death—are far too great for unfit motorists to get behind the wheel.
Defective Vehicle Components
Motor vehicles are immensely complex vehicles. The slightest mistake during the design, manufacturing, ownership, or maintenance of the vehicle can have catastrophic consequences.
If a defect contributed to your collision, your lawyer will determine if that defect resulted from:
- The vehicle designer
- The designer or manufacturer of a specific component
- Those who assembled the vehicle
- The vehicle owner
- A maintenance professional who worked on the vehicle
Motor vehicle defects are so common that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a dedicated web page to look up recalled vehicles and components. While recalls don’t cause as many crashes as dangerous driving, it’s a serious problem.
Dangerous Roads
Municipalities must ensure safe roadways. While some hazards are outside the municipality’s control, many result from failure to maintain proper road conditions.
Some of the road-related hazards that can cause a collision are:
- Potholes
- Large cracks, uneven asphalt, and other significant defects in the road
- Inadequate or excessive lighting
- Defective or absent traffic lights and signs
- Work zones that create dangerous driving conditions
Even a hazard that seems beyond control, like a wild animal darting into the road, might result from some person’s or organization’s negligence. Experienced auto accident lawyers consider every plausible cause when investigating why their client was subjected to a serious accident.
Negligence of Others on the Road
Some traffic collisions stem from careless or downright dangerous behavior by walkers, joggers, bike (and e-bike) riders, scooter riders, and others not in traditional motorized vehicles.
When these individuals ignore or misinterpret the right of way, operate while impaired, drive in parts of the road reserved for motor vehicles, or engage in other dangerous behavior, they risk causing a collision.
Here’s What to Do After a Collision of Any Kind
You must figure out why your crash happened. After the collision, at least one of these steps will lead to you knowing the cause of the accident:
Let a medical professional evaluate and take care of you
Many serious injuries can result from traffic collisions, from whiplash to brain injuries, broken bones, and injury to internal organs
You must:
- Check yourself for possible signs of physical injury, conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other reasons for concern after the accident
- Get an evaluation from a medical professional as soon as possible after the crash
- Seek help from a mental health service provider if you are feeling off after the collision
Nothing is more important than your health. Get help right away.
Hire a car accident lawyer
While your health is the most important thing, your case ranks right up there. While you get the treatment you need for injuries and trauma, a lawyer can push your case forward right away.
Do your due diligence, find some law firms with rave reviews and impressive accomplishments, and conduct free consultations to find the best firm for you.
Let your car accident attorney deal with insurance companies
You must see insurance companies for what they are—and what they are not.
An insurance company:
- Has a contractual obligation (dictated by insurance policies) and a duty to honor the obligation
- Also has a financial incentive to keep as much money as possible (through premiums) and pay out as little money as possible (through claims)
- Is not your representative, and may not have your best interests at heart
Insurance providers sometimes handle claims honestly and promptly. They often engage in bad-faith tactics, delay the claims process, and make claims unreasonably difficult for claimants like you.
Do not take any substantial claim-related action until you retain a car accident lawyer. Your attorney will submit any necessary statements, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure no insurance company undermines your claim.
It’s Difficult to Explain Just How Beneficial a Lawyer Can Be After a Collision—Their Value Is Immense
It’s only difficult to explain a lawyer’s value because their value is so wide-ranging.
Some of the most common reasons clients share for hiring an auto accident lawyer are:
- The attorney’s familiarity with similar cases: We often feel more comfortable when we can lean on someone who has been in our shoes before. Many accident victims are facing daunting, unfamiliar circumstances. A lawyer’s history of leading other auto collision survivors to justice may instill immense calm and confidence in you.
- The law firm’s capacity to handle every detail for the client: Law firms don’t consist solely of lawyers. They also typically employ paralegals and support staff and may hire experts and other third parties to contribute to their cases. These resources ensure that your firm can handle every detail of your case effectively.
- Protection: Your recovery will be taxing enough. You should not have to worry about whether insurance companies or other parties are jeopardizing your case. A car accident lawyer will protect you at every turn of your case, and hopefully, this gives you some peace of mind.
Many clients can clearly see that their injuries and pain and suffering will not allow them to manage the demands of their case. This revelation makes an attorney the perfect resource in their time of need.
Your Attorney’s Role Will Transcend Just “Lawyer”
As you may expect, your lawyer will be wholly responsible for any insurance claims or lawsuits you file. What some accident victims don’t know, though, is that a lawyer’s role ranges beyond their legal role.
A legal counselor can serve you by:
- Answering your questions without judgment: A car accident lawyer is an advisor, first and foremost. If you have any questions, they will listen actively, answer them, and explain those answers.
- Getting you the resources you need: A lawyer is also someone to take care of you. Your health will be their concern. If you need a reliable doctor, mental health professional, mechanic, or other assistance, your lawyer will ensure you get it.
- Giving unfiltered, reliable advice: Your lawyer will understand that you may need some guidance. While respecting your ability to make your own choices, your lawyer will share their guidance. If you trust your attorney, you should be confident in following that guidance.
- Providing support at a time when you need and deserve it: It can be helpful just to have someone support you after a serious collision. A lawyer will support you in several ways, from handling your case to promoting your recovery and being a voice of reason.
The relationship between lawyer and client is built on trust. Expect your lawyer to go above and beyond in earning your trust and to continue honoring your trust throughout your case.
What Your Successful Traffic Accident Case Might Look Like
Each lawyer has their own process and style, and each case requires a personalized plan. However, many auto collision cases require a lawyer to:
Determine Why the Collision Happened
Attorneys need to show who is at fault for their client’s accident. Your attorney may interview witnesses, seek video footage of the crash, and take several other measures to document the crash and prove fault.
Figure Out Who Owes You Compensation
The two parties who may owe you compensation are:
- Any parties who caused the crash, either directly or indirectly
- An insurance provider for the at-fault party
Your attorney might also seek compensation from your own insurance provider. Your lawyer must evaluate all relevant details of your circumstances before they can know who owes you money.
Prove Your Damages
If you aim to get compensation for accident-related damages, you must prove them.
Some common documentation used in cases like yours are:
- Your testimony about the accident’s toll on your
- Medical records and bills
- Bank statements and other financial records
- Expert testimony about your damages
Your lawyer will quickly identify the best ways to prove your damages, and there is no cap on how many methods they can use.
Negotiate a Settlement or File a Lawsuit
Your lawyer’s mission is securing fair compensation for you. In many auto collision cases, lawyers achieve this goal by negotiating a fair settlement for their clients.
If you and your attorney determine that filing a lawsuit is the proper course of action, expect your lawyer to navigate every turn of the legal system for you.
If Your Lawyer Delivers Fair Compensation for Your Damages, They’ve Succeeded (and So Have You)
Auto accidents take a toll, which can include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings
- Other professional damages
- Mental health services
- Property expenses related to the accident
Let your lawyer take care of all case-related duties. They will identify your damages, determine your case value, and demand justice on your behalf.
Reasons Why You Should Hire Your Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible
The time to act after your accident is immediately. There are typically deadlines for auto accident cases, and you do not want to risk missing yours.
Find your St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer immediately and allow them to start fighting for you today.
Nicolette R. Nicoletti
Managing Partner
Nicolette R. Nicoletti is the founder and managing partner of the Nicoletti Accident Injury Lawyers. She was born and raised in New Port Richey, Florida. Nicolette attended Genesis Preparatory School and graduated salutatorian of her class. She then went onto Saint Leo University for her undergraduate education. She graduated magna cum laude from the Honors Program with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While at Saint Leo University, Nicolette was President of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), Secretary of Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society), and an active member of Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Scholastic Honor Society).
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