If highways and freeways are part of your daily commute, as is the case for many Americans, your chances of getting into a car accident are significant. If you or a loved one was injured in a highway accident, you are probably overwhelmed and may even be unsure of your next steps. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our knowledgeable Miami highway accident attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of South Florida clients by vigorously seeking the compensation they rightfully deserve for their injuries.
A serious accident on I-75 in Marion County sent a driver and passenger to the hospital after a semi truck landed on top of a car in a multi vehicle collision. The 18-wheeler, packed full of produce, had to be cut through to reach the car, which was trapped underneath. Ultimately, the car door was cut through and the driver and passenger were rushed to the hospital with traumatic injuries. A crane was also brought to the scene so firefighters could search underneath the big rig to make sure no one else was trapped. The collision involved two tractor-trailers and three vehicles. The exact cause of the accident is still unknown.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents
Highway accidents can have devastating consequences due to the high speeds at which vehicles are often traveling. Some common types of negligence that lead to highway accidents include:
- Drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Drivers violating traffic laws (i.e., speeding, failing to use turn signals, tailgating, etc.);
- Cities or counties failing to maintain the roads properly;
- Automobile manufacturers or sellers putting faulty vehicles into the market;
- Truck drivers failing to adhere to trucking rules and regulations; and/or
- Trucking companies failing to properly maintain trucks.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Highway Accident
In most personal injury cases, the victim relies on the legal concept of ‘negligence’ to prove the other person was at fault for the accident. Negligence, in law, is the failure to meet a standard of behavior established to protect society against unreasonable risk of harm. It is important to note that negligence is accident as distinguished from intentional torts (i.e., assault) or from crimes. Driver negligence can take many forms, such as excessive speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, following too closely and/or making an unsafe lane change.
In order to prove negligence in a highway accident case, you must establish the following elements: i) the defendant owed a duty to the injured party; ii) the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the injured party; and iii) the defendant’s breach was a direct and proximate cause of the highway accident and plaintiff’s resulting harm.
Hire a Knowledgeable Highway Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a highway accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury and losses. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our knowledgeable Miami highway accident attorneys are committed to providing the highest quality legal services to injured people across South Florida. With extensive experience in this area of law, we can help you build a solid case. To set up a free consultation regarding your case, please call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or reach out to us online.
More Blog Posts:
Florida Supreme Court Clarifies Causation in Medical Malpractice Cases, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, February 14, 2019
Florida Court Applies Open and Obvious Doctrine in Florida Premises Liability Case, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, February 14, 2019
Semi Truck Sideswipes Parked Florida Police Cars, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, February 14, 2019