Drivers who operate their vehicles in an aggressive manner may endanger others in St. Petersburg. Aggressive driving may be characterized by a disregard for the safety of others, and it can result in serious accidents, injuries, and property damage.
If you were harmed by an aggressive driver, a St. Petersburg aggressive driving accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Reach out to a car crash attorney at Distasio Law Firm if you were struck by an aggressive driver in St. Petersburg. Call us for a free consultation on your case.
Aggressive Driving May Be a Criminal Act in St. Petersburg
The legislature in Florida recognizes that aggressive driving may be incredibly dangerous to other drivers. In an effort to regulate aggressive driving, the state passed Florida Statute § 316.1923 to make “aggressive careless driving” illegal.
Drivers violate this statute if they commit at least two of the following acts either one after the other or at the same time. They may face criminal charges if they:
- Exceed the speed limit
- Change lanes improperly or unsafely
- Follow too closely behind another driver
- Do not yield the right-of-way
- Pass another driver improperly
- Improperly use traffic control or signal devices
If you believe the driver who caused your accident engaged in aggressive driving, you may want to contact the police and inform them of the situation. Police officers in St. Petersburg may file a report about your accident after you contact them.
Even without a citation or police report indicating that aggressive driving occurred, the other driver may be liable for your injuries if their negligence caused your accident. A violation of any traffic rule, such as an illegal lane change, can be a form of negligence.
Drivers who operate their vehicles aggressively may cause many different types of accidents. These drivers may cause head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, or even side-impact collisions. Each of these accidents could have serious impacts on your health and your vehicle.
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Injuries Caused by Aggressive Driving in St. Petersburg
Aggressive driving accidents could leave you severely injured and in need of medical attention. Injuries in this type of accident may include:
- Head or brain injuries, including concussions
- Back or neck injuries, including whiplash
- Broken bones or internal injuries
- Cuts, abrasions, or burns
It is recommended that you seek medical treatment right away after an aggressive driving accident, even if you believe that your symptoms are just mild. Hidden or delayed symptoms could require medical treatment. Waiting to get treatment may make it more difficult to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident.
Your injuries may require extensive or ongoing medical care. If someone else caused your accident, a capable aggressive driving accident lawyer in St. Petersburg from Distasio Law Firm may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical expenses.
Find out more about your options to pursue compensation for your losses by contacting Distasio Law Firm. Our team works to provide clients in your situation with personal care and attention.
Types of Compensation for an Aggressive Driving Accident
You may be able to secure compensation for your medical care after an aggressive driving accident. In some cases, this means you could receive damages for your:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital stay and surgical procedures
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Estimated future costs of medical care
You may also be eligible for compensation for losses that are not tied to your medical expenses. The driver who caused your accident could be liable to cover the wages you lost at work while you were recovering from the accident. They may also be required to cover your pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Even your vehicle repair costs could be covered after an aggressive driving crash in St. Petersburg.
Pursuing Compensation After an Aggressive Driving Accident
You may have several options to pursue compensation for your losses. A proactive aggressive driving collision lawyer in St. Petersburg from Distasio Law Firm may be able to pursue compensation on your behalf via:
Settlement Negotiations
Many car accident claims in St. Petersburg are resolved through the settlement process. Settling a claim involves working with the insurance company that represents the responsible driver. Your lawyer may negotiate with insurance agents on your behalf to bring you a fair settlement offer. In order to successfully handle negotiations, your lawyer may need to investigate your case by:
- Visiting the scene of the accident
- Thoroughly reviewing the police report
- Speaking with witnesses who saw what happened
- Going over your medical records
- Checking for video surveillance of the accident
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts to testify in your defense
Going to Trial
You should be aware that not all aggressive driving accident claims may be resolved outside of trial. Insurance agents may deny you fair compensation during settlement negotiations, for example. In this situation, Distasio Law Firm may advise you to go to trial, which could allow a judge or jury to review the evidence and decide if you are owed compensation for your injuries, and what amount.
A St. Petersburg Aggressive Driving Accident Attorney May Be Able Help You
You do not need to face the parties responsible for your injuries alone. A St. Petersburg aggressive driving accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be to handle your case. This could allow our team to investigate your situation and build your claim while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
For a free consultation on your case, call Distasio Law Firm. We may be able to handle your case on a contingency-fee basis where you do not make any up-front payments for our representation.
