The Dangers of Nighttime Accidents
Local 10 News has reported that a 24-year-old man and his 19-year-old girlfriend were killed in Margate in a recent nighttime car accident. The crash took place at approximately 1 a.m. when the young man’s Honda Civic veered off the road and slammed into a tree, splitting the vehicle in half. Both occupants of the vehicle were ejected from the car before being killed. The young man had left a family party and was on his way home with his girlfriend, who was pursuing a nursing degree, at the time of the crash. Authorities believe the vehicle was speeding at the time of the accident.
How Dangerous Are Nighttime Accidents?
According to the National Safety Council, statistics indicate that driving at night is always more dangerous. While we do only one quarter of our driving at night, a whopping half of traffic deaths occur while driving at night.
What Should I Do After a Nighttime Accident?
Because of the difficulty in visibility and the fact that evidence can be moved before morning daylight, it is especially important to gather evidence at the scene of a nighttime accident. Outside of obtaining emergency medical care, you should undertake the following actions to the extent that you are able to in lieu of your injuries:
At the scene of the accident:
- Do not admit fault
- Call authorities to the scene and ask for a report
- Take pictures of the scene and surrounding area with your smartphone
- Write down contact information for witnesses
After the accident:
- Continue any treatments that have been prescribed by a medical doctor and do not stop attending appointments until you are released from care.
- Keep your medical bills, the police report, and any other documentation related to your accident together in a secure place.
- Refuse to sign documentation of any kind until you obtain legal help.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you determine whether you have a claim for your injuries, and if so, help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Have You or Someone You Love Been Injured in a Nighttime Accident?
Unfortunately, the reality is that accidents and the resulting injuries can happen even to the most cautious individuals traveling on the road. If you are involved in an accident because another driver was negligent while behind the wheel, you may be legally entitled to seek compensation that can help you minimize the damages that you have to deal with due to an accident that you couldn’t have predicted nor prevented. You may even have legal options under Florida law if yours was the only car involved in your accident. Either way, you will likely need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. As the experienced Orlando personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, we offer the legal help you need to help you understand and maximize your options under the law. Reach out for help today to begin.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
local10.com/news/local/2019/12/25/2-dead-after-christmas-day-car-accident-in-margate/