Fort Walton BeachLegal Blog

Many people who get hurt in serious motor vehicle collisions sustain serious injuries. Some, however, are more obvious than others. Broken limbs and spinal cord injuries are often obvious right at the scene of the collision. Other, similarly serious injuries may not seem like a big issue at first.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common in many kinds of crashes. All too often, people with TBIs are able to exit their vehicle and complete a police report without realizing how serious their injuries are. That can lead to delayed treatment, worsening symptoms and difficulty in getting the compensation you deserve following a crash.

The winter is approaching most of the United States with cold weather, ice and snow. In Florida, you're fortunate enough to usually benefit from tepid temperatures and comfortable weather conditions. As a result of the humid, subtropical weather, many people travel from around the country to get a break from the bleak winter storms where they're from.

For Floridians, this influx in tourism is great for the economy, but it's not so good for the roads. People who are unfamiliar with the state's traffic laws and neighborhoods quickly make errors that lead to a growing number of collisions. Fortunately, there are a few things people can do to prevent these crashes.

By now, most people know that driving while distracted is a danger to themselves and others. Despite that, people still send texts, read emails and perform other digital activities while they're driving. Statistics show that when you travel at 55 mph and send or text someone, you'll take your eyes off the road for around five seconds. In those five seconds, you'll travel far enough to cover the length of a football field.

Taking your eyes off the road for any length of time is a danger to yourself, your passengers and others on or around the roads. Five seconds is long enough for a driver to pull out in front of you, to slam on his or her brakes, or to make a mistake that you don't have time to avoid.

Texting is a hazard behind the wheel, but despite that, many people do it, anyway. Why? They feel they need to respond to the messages, emails and calls they receive immediately.

The world is fast-paced, and that does make people more impatient. It prepares people to take risks just to make sure they get things done quickly. Unfortunately, that kind of attitude has the potential to lead to a serious crash.