Many car accidents in St. Petersburg are caused by improper lane changes. A driver enters another lane of traffic and sideswipes or clips a car. In some cases, the other vehicle may run off the road.
Since 1955, Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has been helping injured victims recover the compensation they deserve after being hurt in accidents caused by others. Thousands of clients have trusted our personal injury lawyers to handle their car accident cases.
If you were injured in a car wreck, contact our St. Petersburg law office at (727) 796-8282 to schedule a free consultation with one of our St. Petersburg lane change crashes lawyers.
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How Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You After a Lane Change Crash
Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers have over 300 years of combined legal experience. In addition, our law firm has considerable resources that allow us to handle the most complicated personal injury claims.
Insurance companies and defense law firms know that we are aggressive negotiators and skilled trial attorneys who fight for the best interests of our clients.
When you hire Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your accident case, you can expect us to:
- Gather evidence to prove fault by conducting a thorough accident investigation
- Identify each party liable for your injuries
- Document your injuries and damages
- File a claim with the insurance company and work with the insurance company to settle your case as quickly as possible
- Aggressively negotiate for the maximum value of your damages
- Work with expert witnesses as necessary to prove fault, liability, and damages
- File a lawsuit and pursue the at-fault parties in court if they refuse to settle the claim for a reasonable amount
Before you accept a settlement offer or talk to an insurance adjuster, call our office to speak with one of our auto accident attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL. Let’s make sure you are being treated fairly before you decide to settle your claim.
Why Do Lane Change Crashes Happen in St. Petersburg, FL?
According to Florida law, drivers must ensure that they can move into another lane safely before making the maneuver. A driver who breaches this duty can receive a traffic ticket. If the improper lane change results in an accident, the driver could be held financially liable for damages.
Common causes of lane-change crashes in Pinellas County include:
- Failing to check blind spots
- Changing more than one lane at a time
- Failure to check mirrors
- Merging at inappropriate speeds
- Misjudging the distance between vehicles
- Changing lanes with having clear visibility
- Failing to use turn signals
Other driving behaviors could be factors in a lane change accident. A distracted, drowsy, or drunk driver may be more likely to make an improper lane change.
Injuries Caused by Lane Change Accidents In St. Petersburg, Florida
Improper lane changes can cause rollover accidents, head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, and side-wipe accidents. The injuries caused by these crashes can be severe.
Injuries that a person may sustain in a lane change crash include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Injury to internal organs
- Wrongful death of a loved one
The injuries from a lane change accident can cause long-term impairments. In some cases, a person could sustain a permanent disability. Therefore, when calculating your damages, it is important to consider any ongoing expenses you might incur.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover In St. Petersburg, FL?
If you sustained minor injuries, you would file a claim with your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance carrier. No-fault insurance covers a portion of your lost wages and medical expenses regardless of who caused the car accident.
You could sue the at-fault driver under Florida personal injury laws if you sustained serious injuries. In that case, you could receive compensation for pain and suffering, which is not covered by PIP insurance. You could also receive compensation for your total loss of income, medical bills, and other out-of-pocket expenses that exceed the limits of your PIP coverage.
Proving Fault and Liability for a Lane Change Crash In St. Petersburg, Florida
Before you can recover compensation from the other driver, you must prove that your injuries meet the serious injury threshold AND that the other driver caused the accident. We work with your physicians to obtain the medical records and statements that show you sustained severe injuries that allow you to sue the other driver.
Then we gather evidence to prove the other driver caused the crash.
Evidence that we may use to prove fault includes:
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Videos of the collision from traffic cameras and surveillance cameras
- Opinions from accident reconstructionists and other expert witnesses
- Physical evidence from the crash site and the vehicles
- Statements from each driver and eyewitnesses
Our legal team continues to gather evidence and build a case against the other driver until all avenues have been exhausted. We diligently search for compelling evidence that leaves no doubt the other driver is responsible for causing the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Car Crash Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL After a Lane Change Crash
Our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys will help you navigate the personal injury claims process. We want to hear about what happened to you and help you get the total compensation you deserve. Call us now to schedule a free case evaluation.
