Jacksonville Auto Accident Attorney

Jacksonville, Florida is famous for maintaining the most numerous urban parks in the country, its long stretches of beaches and waterways, and home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team. In 2008, Jacksonville hosted its first Super Bowl in the new downtown entertainment complex. It is the largest city in land area in the entire nation and the most populous city in all of Florida. This rapidly growing Florida city holds the title of one of the “Hottest Cities in America” for business relocation and expansion. Business Magazine also lists it as one of the “Best Cities for doing Business.” Nevertheless, with all this fame and fortune comes some misfortune in the form of motor vehicle accidents.

With business expansion and relocation, comes increased traffic, including not only more motorists driving to and from work, but also tractor-trailer trucks and other service vehicles. Big trucks are involved in more serious and fatal accidents than smaller vehicles. With a flurry of big rig traffic traveling at speeds over 70 mph down the many expressways, interstates, and highways that outline the city, Jacksonville’s number of tractor-trailer and service vehicle accidents is dreadful. Last year alone, there were over 200 traffic fatalities in Jacksonville involving a large truck. That is not counting the number of injuries caused by large truck accidents. When a tractor-trailer or service vehicle driver is at-fault in an auto accident, the company he or she works for may be the responsible party, depending upon the circumstances.

There are steps you can take to help prevent an auto accident. If everyone starts out by practicing safe, defensive driving, then the number of traffic disasters may be greatly reduced. Although there are laws in pace to avert reckless driving, the truth is many people on the road do not exercise caution under risky circumstances. Safe, defensive driving techniques include avoiding tailgating by staying between three and six seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. In order to do this, pick a stationary object such as an electric pole, once the vehicle in front of you clears the pole, count to yourself one thousand one, one thousand two, and so on. If the front of your vehicle reaches the pole before three seconds, then you need to back off. Be sure to use turn signals not only when making a right or left turn, but also when changing lanes or passing. This lets other drivers know what you plan on doing before you do it. In addition to signaling, always use the side and rearview mirrors to predict what other drivers are planning. Follow the speed limit when road conditions allow, this will help traffic flow; and if a fellow driver is speeding, let him or her pass. Doing so will help eliminate road rage and reckless driving.

Although there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of being involved in an auto accident, they are not always effective. Anytime you get behind the wheel, there is the potential for a serious mishap, one that causes bodily harm, injury, or property damage. Every driver should be aware of his or her rights on the road. If someone else is to blame for your loss, the qualified Jacksonville auto accident attorneys will do the work for you to ensure compensation.