Florida Statute Makes Windshield Repairs Free
Bill Allen | March 18, 2021 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Gainesville Florida
Cars, trucks, and SUVs go through a lot on Florida roads. They have become the primary way individuals get to work, school, or other destinations. As a result, passenger vehicles can experience general wear and tear and even serious damage. One of the most common types of damage is a cracked windshield.
Windshields can crack for a number of reasons, ranging from contact with a small pebble to a major crash. Hurricanes and storms often damage windshields each year in Florida. Cracked windshields may be common, but they are also quite dangerous.
Why It’s Dangerous to Drive with a Cracked Windshield
While windshield glass is designed to be shatter-proof, a crack in the glass reduces its integrity. A small crack in windshield can expand and become larger over time. Something as small as a speed bump can magnify the fault in the glass, putting you and your car at risk.
A cracked windshield increases the chances that the driver or passenger will be ejected from the car in the event of an accident, leaving them with cut wounds and other severe traumas.
For this reason, some states make it illegal to drive with a cracked windshield. In other states, cracks of a particular length or those located on the driver’s side are illegal. So, driving around with a cracked windshield is not only dangerous but could put you at risk of being liable if you are in an accident.
If you are liable, you will have to compensate another individual for their damages, such as medical bills and pain and suffering. Alternatively, it means an at-fault driver may not have to pay your full damages. Under Florida’s comparative fault rules, a court will reduce your damages from an accident in proportion to your fault.
Driving with a cracked windshield is dangerous. Even if you only have a small hairline crack in your windshield, you should get it repaired as soon as possible.
Free Windshield Repair in Florida
Can a cracked windshield be repaired? Because of the dangers of driving with a cracked windshield and the prohibitive cost of replacement, Florida law makes it free to repair a windshield in many cases.
If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you can bring your vehicle to any auto repair shop to fix your damaged windshield. Instead of paying for the repair out of pocket or having it affect your deductible, the law requires the insurance company to pay for it. The legislation is meant to motivate drivers to fix their damaged windshields quickly.
Importantly, this benefit only applies to comprehensive insurance, not simple liability coverage. Regardless of whether you have comprehensive insurance, you should get your windshield repaired as soon as possible after it cracks. This will ensure greater safety for you, your passengers, and your car.
Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After Your Motor Vehicle Crash
If you have been in a car accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer specializing in car accident cases. Knowing to investigate whether or not the other driver’s windshield was cracked is just one thing a skilled attorney will do for you.
A good personal injury lawyer will also know what questions to ask and how to make sure the insurance company covering the case doesn’t trick you into accepting a lowball offer. When you partner with competent legal representation, you maximize your chances of collecting damages to cover all the costs associated with the accident. Compensation can range from medical bills to lost wages and, in some cases, can even include non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
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