There are many factors that can cause accidents on the road in Florida and throughout the United States. Collisions with animals and wildlife can have catastrophic, even deadly consequences. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident involving an animal on the road, it is important to reach out to a skilled Miami car crash attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are available to analyze the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options.
Car accidents involving wildlife are more common than you may think. According to the Defenders of Wildlife’s fact sheet that there are approximately 725,000 to 1.5 million wildlife-vehicle collisions each year in the United States. Some of these accidents occur in Florida, which is why it is important for drivers to know their rights in the aftermath of such crashes.
Earlier this year, a crash with an alligator sent a woman’s car into a wipeout on I-75. The driver of the car survived the deadly encounter, although the accident left her with a cut under her eye and some bruising. By the time she saw the alligator in front of her Ford Escape, there was no chance of avoiding it. She hit the gator, and her vehicle went into a counter-clockwise spin before overturning at least half a dozen times.
While alligators can pose a threat to Florida drivers, other animals such as deer, ducks, and even roadkill can cause accidents. Drivers often have to swerve to avoid these hazards and end up getting into accidents. These accidents can be trickier to handle than accidents involving other drivers, since you obviously cannot sue an animal or wildlife for causing the accident. So what are your options? Well, in some cases, you may be able to sue local authorities if a dead animal remained on the road for a long time without being cleared. In other cases, a lack of an animal crossing sign in areas where the presence of wildlife is known and anticipated could form the basis of a lawsuit against local government entities.
It is important to note that accidents involving wildlife are often not covered by a driver’s collision insurance. However, in cases in which a driver has comprehensive auto insurance that covers damages not resulting from collisions with other vehicles, the driver may be able to recover damages through an insurance claim. The specific limits of the policy would have to be examined to determine coverage in a given case.
If you or your loved one has been hurt in an auto accident involving an animal, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami car accident attorney who can assess the facts of your case. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our dedicated lawyers will guide you through the legal process so that you can secure the compensation you deserve for your harm. We proudly take on clients from across South Florida. For a free consultation, call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online today.
More Blog Posts:
Summary Judgment in Florida Personal Injury Cases, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, November 2, 2017
Crush Injuries Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, November 2, 2017
Preponderance of the Evidence Standard in Florida Civil Cases, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, November 2, 2017