South Daytona Legal News - Car Accident

Getting a traffic ticket does not guarantee your insurance rates will go up. At least, not immediately.

Most insurance companies don't look at your driving record until your due for renewal. That's when they might notice it on your driving record and adjust your renewal rate accordingly. And, if you are checking rates with other insurance companies then their quotes may include an increased amount because of the traffic ticket.

The type of ticket can affect whether your insurance rates go up. It all depends on the risk that they perceive. For example, one speeding ticket may not affect your rate. But, multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for an excessive amount of speed, can jump your rates significantly.

Another situation you should be careful of, is a ticket associated with a more significant offense such as Driving While Intoxicated. At that point, the speeding ticket is the least of your worries. You should contact a lawyer immediately to help manage the damage to your driving record and insurance rates.

Auto accident, car accident, automobile accident, collision, car wreck, car crash -
no matter what you call it, the end result can change your life forever.

We are more distracted than ever before when we drive; by our cell phones, texting, radios (most new cars display artist and song title), GPSs, and all the new technology at our fingertips. We’re so used to multi-tasking, we can’t even stop when we get behind the wheel!

The National Safety Council estimates that 38,300 people were killed and 4.4 million injured on U.S. roads in 2015, which is the largest one-year percentage increase in since 1965. Surprisingly, according to Newsweek* magazine, “One of the strongest correlations tends to be between the economy and traffic fatalities.” That makes perfect sense: more jobs, more cars on the road and more people hurrying to get to those jobs. Also, more jobs, more money for more vacation trips – on the road.Accident and death rates always increase over the summer months.

Please take your driving safety seriously. It’s a lot more risky than ever before. And since about 40% of accidents are caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists, make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage. But if you’ve been injured in a car accident, or if a loved one has been in a fatal motor vehicle accident, please call us at 386-258-3453 as soon as possible. We’ll make sure you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. The consultation is always free.

*Newsweek, “2015 Brought Biggest Percent Increase in U.S. Traffic Deaths in 50 Years” by Stav Ziv, 2/17/16

When is a compulsory medical exam not compulsory?

In State Farm v. Curran, 39 FLW S122 (March 13, 2014), the Supreme Court of Florida held that a refusal to go to a compulsory medical examination by an injured insured does not automatically forfeit uninsured motorist benefits unless the insurance company can plead and prove prejudice.

The above information is intended for general purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.