Lakeland Lawyers: Top Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Car Accident Attorney

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In the 2018 report published by Florida’s Department of Health, Lakeland’s motor vehicle crash rate increased compared to the last five years. Lakeland’s statistics are far higher than the national average. In terms of fatal car crashes, Florida reported more than 400,000 fatal crashes in 2017. Such a number made the state one of the most dangerous in the entire US.

With car accidents rising in the city, hiring a car accident attorney in Lakeland has never been more crucial. For the accused, a lawyer specializing in car accidents can help him justify or mitigate the offense. For the victims, legal counsel can help them prove the guilt and liability of the accused. Regardless of which side you belong to, if you’re caught in a bind, a lawyer is your best bet in getting a legal remedy.

For the Accused

A car accident lawyer has a lot to offer, especially for the accused whose liberty and properties are at stake. If the car accident resulted in damage to property or death, the lawyer could help the accused to gather pieces of evidence to justify his actions or mitigate his liabilities.

For example, the accused was driving on the right lane, and suddenly the victim crashed into his vehicle. The former was caught off guard, and as such, was not able to avoid the head-on collision. In this case, the lawyer can help build a defense by arguing that he did not have the last chance to evade the collision. He can also say that the victim is “in pare delicto” by encroaching on the wrong lane.

If the accident was caused by ‘force majeure,” the lawyer can build the accused’ defense by arguing that the latter exercised “extraordinary diligence” required from somebody who operates a vehicle.

Regardless of your circumstance as the accused, a seasoned car accident attorney in Lakeland can help you protect your life, liberty, and property.

For the Victim

If you’re the victim of a car accident, it’s even more crucial that you hire the services of a lawyer. Since criminal cases require a higher degree of evidence — guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you have to make sure that you have damning pieces of evidence to support your argument. Otherwise, your case will not prosper for “lack of probable cause.” If you have been injured as a result of the accident, it is essential to consult a personal injury lawyer.

If you work with an expert car accident lawyer, you will be guided every step of the way — from filing the complaint, determination of the probable cause, preliminary investigation, to raffling of the case to a judge. Your lawyer is your legal representative so that he can speak on your behalf before the court.

If, for instance, the accused argues that he did not have the “last clear chance” to prevent the accident, your lawyer can help you prove his negligence, not being able to observe “extraordinary diligence,” or driving under the influence.

If the opposing party argues “force majeure,” your lawyer can counter such an argument by specifying all the obligations of a car owner and citing the failure of the accused in carrying out these obligations. A slippery road due to heavy rain can be “force Majeure” defense for the accused, but for your lawyer, it can be a lame excuse to blame nature for their failure to do routine checks and making sure their vehicle is in good running condition all the time.

Conclusion

When you’re caught in a legal battle, your life can be more stressful and chaotic. Then again, it does not matter if you’re the accused or the victim. As long as you have a credible, reliable, and professional lawyer by your side, you always have a fighting chance.

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