Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
When we think of car crashes, we usually think of a situation where a car accident happens due to human error. Unfortunately, collisions can also happen when someone steals a car.
If you’re injured by the driver of a stolen car, it may be worthwhile to speak to a car accident attorney at Flaxman Law Group. In these cases, the insurance situation can be more complex, especially since the thief may not have insurance. Our family-based team is pleased to offer you a free consultation with a car accident attorney if you’re injured, so you can speak to a reassuring and compassionate lawyer who can explain your options for recovering compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost income, car damage, and more.
Injuries Caused by Drivers of Stolen Cars
Speed-related injuries are common with stolen cars. This is because thieves usually race away from the scene of the crime, and they can crash into other cars in head-on or side-swipe accidents in their efforts to get away.
Pedestrian injuries are common for the same reason. Thieves racing away in a stolen car don’t pay attention to pedestrians or traffic laws, which means innocent bystanders can easily get hurt.
In some cases, car thieves get violent with the occupants of a car they’re stealing. They may use a knife or gun or assault the driver or occupants of a car to take over the vehicle. There are even instances where car thieves forcefully push a driver or passenger from the car and into traffic.
Child injuries are also quite common in these situations. According to the organization Kids and Car Safety, there have been 37 reported cases this year where a child was left in a car that was stolen. Thieves may not intend to drive away with a child in the vehicle, but when they do the child can be in danger because of the speed and reckless driving. A thief may also abandon the car or eject the child from the car as part of their effort to get away.
How to Prevent Theft-Related Car Accidents
According to experts, there are several things you can do to stay safer from thieves and theft-related car accidents:
- Get uninsured/underinsured driver coverage on your car insurance policy, so you’re protected if the driver of a stolen car crashes into you.
- When getting gas, keep your keys with you and lock the doors of your car.
- When driving with children, use drive-through services to avoid leaving your child alone in the car.
- Install an anti-theft system.
- If you see a car driving erratically, try your best to stay well out of its way (and out of the way of any police chasing that vehicle).
- Keep your doors locked and your windows closed when you drive to make yourself less of a target.
If you are injured because a thief stole a car (whether it’s your car or someone else’s) you may not have a claim against the perpetrators insurance (he or she may not have any insurance or may not even get caught) but you may want to contact a car accident attorney to find out what options you might have for a claim.
Flaxman Law Group is a boutique law firm and we’re proud to serve South Florida and Colorado. If you’re injured in a car accident, our phone lines at 866-352-9626 are staffed 24/7 so you can always reach a live person to schedule a free consultation with a member of our family-based team.