Thanksgiving Weekend Car Accidents | What You Need to Know

This Thanksgiving, there is a very good chance you will travel to spend time with your friends and family to celebrate all you are grateful for. While Thanksgiving weekend is a fun time for all, the unfortunate reality is that the sheer volume of traffic, along with intoxicated drivers on the road, drastically increases the chances of a car accident occurring. Please continue reading and speak with our Florida personal injury attorneys to learn more about Thanksgiving Weekend car accidents and how our firm can help if you are injured in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the most common causes of car accidents?

Car accidents occur for a variety of reasons, though they are most commonly caused by driver negligence. Some of the most common forms of driver negligence we see are speeding, texting while driving, driving while fatigued, and more. However, since many people celebrate Thanksgiving by having a drink or two, we frequently see a spike in auto accidents caused by driving under the influence. If you were injured because of someone driving under the influence of alcohol or otherwise ignoring the rules and regulations of the road, there is a very good chance you are entitled to financial compensation.

What should I do if I am involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver?

If you are injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you should do everything in your power to document the incident, as long as you are physically capable of doing so. The first thing you should do is call the police to the scene of the accident, as they will send an ambulance and also most likely require the drunk driver to take a breathalyzer test. These test results can play a critical role in your future personal injury claim. You should also ask witnesses for contact information, take pictures of the scene of the accident, seek immediate medical treatment, and retain the services of an experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorney who can gather and present all additional evidence needed to satisfy the burden of proof. In certain cases, our firm can subpoena surveillance footage of the accident as it happened, which is often one of the most efficient ways to prove a personal injury claim.

What is Florida’s dram shop law?

Most states have a dram shop law in place that allows the wrongly injured to hold a third party accountable for their injury when appropriate. Florida Statutes Section 768.125 states that when an establishment serves alcohol to an individual who is either under the age of 21 or “habitually addicted” to alcohol and that person causes an accident, injuring another party, the injured party may hold the establishment that wrongly served the individual liable for their injuries as well as the driver him/herself. 

Contact our experienced Florida firm

Ansbacher Law is composed of knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to assist clients with various legal matters throughout North Florida. We understand the urgency of your personal injury claim and additional legal matters, which is why we provide each of our clients with compassionate and efficient legal assistance, every step of the way. Please contact our office for an initial consultation today.