15 Reasons Why the Other Driver Could Be Responsible for Your Car Accident in Florida

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Florida, can you file an insurance claim? While you can always seek coverage under your own collision and personal injury protection (PIP) policies, car accident victims can file claims under the other driver’s liability policy in some cases as well. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you can also file a UM claim if the other driver is responsible for the accident and doesn’t have liability coverage. Learn more from an experienced Florida car accident attorney at Searcy Denney.

Do You Have a Liability Claim for Your Car Accident?

Filing a liability claim requires proof that the other driver is responsible for your car accident. Here are 15 examples of reasons why the other driver might be liable for your injuries (or why you might be able to file a UM claim if the at-fault driver doesn’t have coverage):

1. Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is among the most common causes of preventable car accidents. If the driver who hit you was driving aggressively—whether weaving through traffic or attempting to pass on the side of the road—this could provide you with clear grounds to seek financial compensation for your accident-related losses.

2. Burnt-Out Taillights or Brake Lights

If you were involved in a collision because you couldn’t see the car in front of you or because you didn’t realize that the car in front of you was braking, this could provide clear grounds to seek financial compensation as well. In this scenario, filing a liability claim may involve showing that the other driver’s taillights or brake lights weren’t functioning at the time of the collision.

3. Distracted Driving

Along with aggressive driving, distracted driving is another leading cause of preventable car accidents in Florida. Texting, scrolling social media, talking on the phone, setting GPS directions, eating, drinking, and personal grooming are all common distractions that can lead to accidents that could—and should—have been avoided.

4. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Driving under the influence of alcohol is an all-too-common issue in Florida. Drunk drivers cause hundreds of fatal accidents—and far more non-fatal accidents—in our state every year. Drunk driving is negligent driving, and drunk drivers deserve to be held fully accountable for the consequences of their poor decisions.

5. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Driving under the influence of drugs can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. From being high on marijuana to experiencing the side effects of prescription medications, anyone who was under the influence of any drug at the time of a collision can potentially be held liable for victims’ financial and non-financial losses.

6. Failure to Brake

Failure to brake is a common cause of car accidents that can happen for a variety of reasons. Regardless of whether a driver is distracted, impaired, or misjudges the need to slow down, if the driver could—and should—have done something differently to avoid a crash, the driver can be held liable for the crash under Florida law.

7. Failure to Look

All drivers have an obligation to look in all directions before turning or merging. If another driver merged into you or turned dangerously, leaving you with no place to go, this is another scenario in which you could have a clear liability claim for just compensation.

8. Failure to Yield

Along with failure to look, failure to yield can also justify a liability insurance claim after a car accident in Florida. While failure to look and failure to yield often go hand-in-hand, it can be enough to prove that the driver who caused your accident failed to yield the right of way.

9. Inadequate Vehicle Control

Braking harshly, accelerating aggressively, and other unnecessary driving maneuvers can cause drivers to suddenly and unexpectedly lose control. If the driver who hit you failed to maintain adequate vehicle control, this can also provide clear grounds to pursue a claim for liability if you suffered significant or permanent injuries in your crash.

10. Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance

In addition to non-functioning tail lights or brake lights, various other maintenance-related issues can give rise to liability claims as well. For example, if your crash was the result of another driver’s failure to replace worn tires or brake pads, this is also something that an experienced Florida car accident attorney may be able to use to help you seek just compensation.

11. Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is another common cause of preventable car accidents. It is also a cause for which drivers can—and should—be held accountable. If you were hit by a reckless driver in Florida, you will want to speak with a Florida car accident attorney about your legal rights as soon as possible.

12. Running a Red Light

Running red lights can be extremely dangerous. If you were hit by a driver who ran a red light, you should speak with an attorney promptly about your legal rights in this scenario as well.

13. Running a Stop Sign

The same is true if you got hit by a driver who ran a stop sign. Whether the driver blew through the intersection or failed to wait his or her turn, running a stop sign can provide clear grounds for liability.

14. Speeding

Speeding-related accidents are both common and 100 percent preventable. Simply put, there is no excuse for exceeding the speed limit and putting others in harm’s way. If you were injured in an accident involving a speeding driver in Florida, you may be entitled to full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

15. Tailgating

Tailgating is also a common and 100 percent preventable cause of car accidents in Florida. There is no excuse for tailgating, and it is dangerous for a variety of reasons. If you got rear-ended by a driver who was tailgating you at the time of the crash, this is yet another scenario in which an experienced Florida car accident attorney may be able to help you recover just compensation.

Discuss Your Case with a Florida Car Accident Attorney for Free

Were you injured in a car accident in Florida? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. To discuss your case with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer for free, call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can help online now.