Tampa is not only the third largest city in Florida, but also one of the most perilous. Nationally, motor vehicle accidents claim over 400,000 lives each year. Although Tampa boasts a superb mass-transit system and well-planned grid structure, fatal car accidents remain the leading cause of death for Tampa residents under 34 years of age. Rush hours in Tampa are especially treacherous, with four interstates and three state highways intersecting through this populous city, traffic gets very congested very fast.

Each day in Florida, about 115 people will lose their lives because of a fatal crash. If you are one of the lucky ones who survive, it is important to know the steps to take following an auto accident. First, call the police immediately and wait at the accident scene for law enforcement officials to arrive. If you suspect someone is injured, make sure Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is on the way. Then, take pictures, draw a diagram of what happened, anything that will help record exactly what took place why it still fresh in your mind. Once the proper steps have been followed, you should schedule a consultation with an auto accident attorney.

Sometimes, auto accidents cause injuries that are not immediately apparent and surface later on, which is why it is so vital that you file a police report, record what happened, and contact an attorney. Head, neck, and back injuries may not be noticeable immediately after an accident. The same is true for muscle and joint problems. When an accident happens, your body goes into a heightened state of awareness; adrenaline is rushing through your veins, and your blood pressure and heart rate increase. Adrenaline is a natural painkiller; therefore, you may not be aware of bodily harm that you experienced as a result of the accident. In addition, if the other driver was at-fault, he or she may be responsible for damages you incurred. Why should you and your family suffer because of another driver’s aggression or neglect?

Drunk driving is a crime. In 2008, alcohol was a factor in over 40 percent of all vehicular accidents in Tampa. Even if alcohol is not the direct cause of the accident, the drunk driver is at-fault. Driving under the influence (DUI) means the driver had something in his or her body that affects judgment. This can be prescription drugs, illegal drugs, over-the-counter medication, or alcohol. Accidents that are indirectly caused by driving under the influence may include other factors, such as speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, driving too slow, driving in the wrong lane, and failure to obey traffic signals. The direct cause may be due to the intoxicated driver swerving into oncoming traffic, however, when an ingested substance impairs judgment, that person is at-fault. Driving under the influence may be punishable by not only fines, court fees, and victim compensation, but jail time as well.

Occasionally, no driver is at-fault for an accident. The traffic signals may be out of order, a construction site is not clearly marked, or the vehicle may have been designed with faulty brakes. When this is the case, the highway department or automobile manufacturing company may be the at-fault party. If you suffer bodily harm or property damage due to a company’s or governmental entity’s carelessness, they are accountable. Why should you suffer financially because someone did not do his or her job correctly?

Contacting a professional, auto accident attorney after a crash is one of the best things you can do to protect your individual rights and personal assets. The attorneys of Tampa specialize in motor vehicle accidents and can help compensate you for your loss.