Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lakeland
Car accidents in Lakeland may result from a combination of driver negligence, challenging road conditions, and unpredictable Florida weather. With high-traffic corridors like US-98 and I-4 nearby, accidents are an unfortunate daily reality. Some of the most common causes of Lakeland car accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Distractions behind the wheel are a top contributor to accidents. Whether it’s texting, checking your phone, eating, or adjusting the radio, anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, can lead to a serious collision.
Speeding
Many drivers throughout Lakeland and Polk County may exceed posted speed limits or drive too fast for road conditions, especially during peak traffic hours. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the force of impact, making crashes more likely and more severe.
Driving Under the Influence
Impaired driving remains a serious issue in Lakeland. Alcohol or drug use slows reflexes, impairs judgment, and significantly increases the risk of fatal crashes, especially during late-night or weekend hours. In 2023, there were 173 confirmed car accidents that involved a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, resulting in 31 fatalities.
Failure to Yield
Intersections are common hotspots for accidents in Lakeland often due to drivers failing to yield the right-of-way. Whether it's running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or improperly merging, these actions put everyone at risk.
Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, frequent lane changes, and road rage create unnecessary hazards. Impatient drivers often make impulsive moves that lead to preventable collisions.
Poor Weather Conditions
Florida’s sudden downpours, fog, and wet pavement reduce visibility and traction. When drivers fail to adjust their speed or use caution during bad weather in Lakeland, the chance of an accident increases significantly.
According to the
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Polk County recorded 13,631 crashes in 2023, resulting in more than 10,000 injuries and 157 fatalities. A significant portion of these occurred on Lakeland roads, underscoring the importance of cautious, attentive driving.
Regardless of the cause of your accident, our Lakeland team is here to help you recover compensation when another party’s negligence has caused you harm. We understand that a serious car accident can have a notable impact on your life and the lives of those around you. Kemp Injury Law is here to help victims and their families pursue compensation for their injuries and move forward. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your Lakeland car accident claim.
Common Injuries in a Lakeland Car Accident
Even low-speed crashes can cause serious, long-lasting injuries, especially when seatbelts fail to prevent a sharp jolt or the body is violently thrown forward or sideways. Lakeland car accident victims often face weeks, months, or even years of recovery, with some injuries leading to permanent impairment.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most frequently reported injuries in rear-end accidents. The sudden back-and-forth motion of the head can strain or tear muscles and ligaments in the neck, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Impact to the lower or upper back can result in slipped or herniated discs, spinal fractures, or even spinal cord damage. In severe cases, this can cause partial or full paralysis, drastically changing a person's quality of life and ability to work.
Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Blunt trauma to the head during a crash, whether from hitting a steering wheel, window, or flying debris, can cause concussions, brain bleeds, or more serious TBIs. These injuries often come with cognitive issues, memory loss, and mood changes that can last indefinitely.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The force of a collision can break or fracture bones in the arms, legs, ribs, collarbone, or pelvis. Some fractures may require surgery, physical therapy, or the insertion of hardware like pins and rods to aid in healing.
Lacerations and Bruising
Shattered glass, metal fragments, or forceful contact with the dashboard or seatbelt can lead to deep cuts, contusions, and scarring. While some lacerations are superficial, others may cause nerve damage or require stitches and reconstructive care.
Internal Organ Injuries
Internal injuries are especially dangerous because they may not present obvious symptoms right away. Damage to organs like the liver, lungs, or spleen can lead to internal bleeding and require emergency surgery to prevent life-threatening complications.
Car accident injuries often require extensive treatment, including hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing pain management. At Kemp Injury Law, we understand the physical and emotional toll these injuries take, and we fight to secure the compensation our Lakeland clients need to recover.
Different Types of Car Accidents in Lakeland
Car accidents can happen in many ways, and the type of collision often plays a major role in determining who is at fault, what injuries are likely to occur, and how your attorney approaches your case. In a growing city like Lakeland, where local traffic intersects with major highways and busy intersections, drivers face a wide variety of accident risks.
Here are some of the most common types of car accidents we see in Lakeland:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are among the most frequent types of accidents, usually caused by drivers who are distracted, speeding, or following too closely. These collisions often occur at traffic lights, stop signs, or in congested traffic. While they may seem minor, they can lead to serious neck, back, and head injuries, particularly for the driver or passengers in the front vehicle.
T-Bone or Side-Impact Accidents
Also known as broadside collisions, T-bone crashes typically happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light, ignores a stop sign, or fails to yield the right-of-way. These accidents are especially dangerous because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear. Occupants nearest the point of impact are at higher risk for severe injuries.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are less common but often the most deadly. They typically happen when a driver crosses into oncoming traffic, often due to distraction, intoxication, or falling asleep at the wheel. These accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal damage, brain trauma, or fatalities.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact along their sides. These crashes are common on multi-lane roads where improper lane changes, blind spot mistakes, or merging without signaling can lead to impact. While not always high-speed, sideswipes can cause loss of control and secondary collisions with other vehicles or roadside objects.
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Hit-and-run accidents are alarmingly frequent in Lakeland and throughout Polk County, especially at night or in poorly lit areas. In these cases, the at-fault driver leaves the scene without rendering aid or providing information. These incidents create not only legal and insurance complications but also emotional distress for the victims left behind. Uninsured motorist coverage may help, but legal representation is key to maximizing recovery.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
These chain-reaction accidents involve three or more vehicles, often triggered by a single point of impact. Common in high-speed areas or during bad weather, pileups raise complex questions about fault and insurance liability. Injuries can be widespread and severe, and multiple parties may be held partially responsible.
Each type of crash presents its own challenges and legal considerations. At Kemp Injury Law, we tailor our strategy to the specifics of your case, whether that means investigating a hit-and-run or proving fault in a T-bone collision. Our priority is protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law Impact my Lakeland Car Accident Case?
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning that after a car accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP benefits typically cover up to $10,000, but that amount can quickly run out if your injuries are serious.
However, Florida law allows you to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver under certain conditions. You may pursue a third-party claim if:
- You’ve sustained a serious or permanent injury, such as a fracture or brain trauma
- You experience a permanent loss of an important bodily function
- You suffer permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Your medical costs exceed your PIP limits
In these cases, a personal injury lawsuit may be your only path to recovering full damages for pain and suffering, long-term care, and other losses not covered by PIP. An experienced Lakeland car accident attorney can help determine whether your injuries meet Florida’s threshold and assist you in pursuing maximum compensation.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Lakeland Car Accident?
Following a car accident, dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and lost income can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to recover from injuries. Insurance adjusters may offer lowball settlements or deny valid claims, hoping you'll settle quickly. This is where having a skilled Lakeland car accident attorney can make a real difference.
At Kemp Injury Law, we take on the legal burden so you can focus on your health. From investigating the crash to negotiating with insurers and preparing your case for trial if needed, we’re by your side every step of the way.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Accident?
If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Current and future treatment, including ER visits, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost during recovery or loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured.
- Property Damage: To cover repairs or replacement of your vehicle and damaged personal belongings.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed.
We work with medical professionals and financial experts to assess the full impact of your injuries and make sure every dollar is accounted for.
How Is Liability Determined in a Lakeland Car Accident?
Establishing fault involves collecting and analyzing a wide range of evidence, such as:
- Police reports and citations
- Witness testimony
- Traffic and dashcam footage
- Photos of the vehicles and crash scene
- Cell phone records or GPS data
- Vehicle damage reports
- Expert accident reconstruction
Florida uses a comparative negligence system, which means your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 15% at fault, your total award would be reduced by that percentage. Our goal is to build a strong case that clearly proves the other driver’s liability and maximizes your recovery.
At Kemp Injury, we handle all kinds of personal injury cases in Lakeland, including:
If you have lost a loved one in a Lakeland car accident, our team is also here to help you pursue compensation in a
wrongful death claim.
Contact Kemp Injury Law if You’ve Been Injured in a Lakeland Car Accident
After a car accident, you’re not just facing physical pain; you’re also dealing with mounting medical bills, missed work, and the stress of navigating insurance claims. At Kemp Injury Law, we understand how overwhelming this time can be for victims in Lakeland and throughout Polk County, and we’re here to help lift that burden.
Our Lakeland team will thoroughly investigate your accident, gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, and aggressively advocate for the compensation you deserve. We know how Lakeland insurance companies operate, and we don’t let them take advantage of injured victims.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law Impact my Lakeland Car Accident Case?
Florida is one of several states that has a “no-fault” insurance law requiring all drivers to carry a minimum amount ($10,000) of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. When injuries are sustained in a collision, an injured victim’s own PIP coverage handles medical expenses up to the limit without addressing the issue of fault. PIP coverage does not provide compensation for pain and suffering and does not cover expenses related to more serious injuries. To leave the no-fault system and pursue a traditional personal injury lawsuit a victim must show that he/she suffered one of the following:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function.
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability.
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Death.
What Compensation Might Be Available in a Lakeland Car Accident Case?
The team at Kemp Personal Injury Law will evaluate your case to determine if it meets the “serious injury” threshold, thereby removing the case from the no-fault system. If your case is pursued in a traditional negligence-based lawsuit, you could be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including compensation for things such as:
- Repair costs for your vehicle
- Medical and hospital bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Past and future lost income
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
If you lost a spouse, parent, or child in a car accident, you may also be entitled to compensation in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit for things such as the loss of companionship, care, and support and the loss of future earnings.
How Can an Experienced Lakeland Car Accident Lawyer Help?
As an injured victim or a surviving family member of a Lakeland car accident, you may have sustained physical and emotional injuries as well as financial devastation. Attorney Adam Kemp is dedicated to making sure that the party (or parties) responsible for your injuries and loss are held accountable and that you are justly compensated.
As a former prosecuting attorney and associate at one of the largest personal injury firms in America, attorney Adam Kemp has the experience and skills necessary to successfully advocate and litigate on your behalf. At Kemp Personal Injury Law, we believe in treating each client with care and compassion and in aggressively pursuing justice for all our clients.
If you were injured in a Lakeland car accident, or you lost a family member in one, contact an experienced Lakeland car accident lawyer at Kemp Injury Law to discuss your legal options. It is our mission to make sure that victims who were injured in a preventable car accident are fully and fairly compensated by the responsible party or parties. Contact the team today for your free initial consultation by calling 863-225-0254 or by filling out our convenient online contact form.
