Car Accidents Involving Turnpikes
Car accidents can take place at any time or place. Collisions may be caused by factors such as reckless driving, poor weather conditions, or vehicle malfunctions. Road conditions can also affect the likelihood of a crash. If there is heavy traffic and vehicles are traveling at high speeds, as is usually the case on turnpikes, mistakes are more likely to result in an accident.
Car accidents involving turnpikes can result in personal injuries and financial damages. Here, the car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau, serving the Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, area go over the risks of turnpike car accidents, and offer tips for dealing with the aftermath of a collision, including how to pursue compensation for accident damages.
Common Causes of Turnpike Car Accidents
Turnpikes are known to be particular areas of concern when it comes to car accidents. In Florida, the Florida Turnpike is considered one of the most dangerous highways. There is nothing in the design or structure of the Florida Turnpike that makes it inherently more risky than other roads.
However, this turnpike tends to be crowded with travelers - some local and some tourists - who are in a hurry to get to where they are going. In most cases, it is unsafe driving practices that cause turnpike car accidents. Common causes of these types of collisions include:
- Aggressive driving - Aggressive driving practices such as tailgating, speeding, and making unsafe lane changes are a big concern on busy turnpikes.
- Distracted driving - Distractions like cell phones, GPS devices, and even other passengers can take a driver’s attention off the road, leading to a car accident.
- Failure to follow traffic laws - When drivers are in a hurry they often fail to follow traffic laws, most often related to speed limits.
What to Do after a Turnpike Car Accident
When drivers are involved in a car accident, there are certain steps that should be taken to gather the evidence and information necessary for an insurance and/or legal claim. However, the first priority following a turnpike car accident is to get to safety. If possible, drivers should move their vehicle to the side of the road. Involved parties should then notify the police and wait for emergency services to arrive.
When police arrive at the scene, drivers should recount as many accident details as possible to the reporting officer, but they should avoid taking responsibility for the crash. If there are no injuries that require immediate attention, drivers should take the following steps before leaving the accident scene:
- Exchange insurance and contact information with involved drivers
- Collect contact information from accident witnesses
- Take photographs of the accident scene, involved vehicles, and road conditions
- Find out how to contact the responding police officer or department to collect an accident report
Compensation for Accident Damages
If another person or party was responsible for a turnpike accident, they should be held liable for resulting damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies rarely offer a fair accident settlement. To get the most of what they are due, accident victims should consider working with a car accident lawyer.
The car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau assist Daytona Beach injury victims in proving accident liability, and going after at-fault parties for the full extent of their losses, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau
Turnpike car accidents can result in catastrophic losses, but the lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau are committed to helping injury victims collect the compensation they are due for damages. To find out how our legal team can assist you following a car crash, send us a message online, or call our office at (386) 258-7313.