It’s not fun to learn that you must take a defensive driving course because you were at fault for a car accident. It will be even worse if you’ve suffered any sort of serious injury. But there is a bright side to taking this course – one that could help you avoid being hurt in the future. In this article, you’ll learn some of the advantages of defensive driving programs.
The attorneys with the Eberst Law Firm will be ready to help if you’ve been hurt in a wreck that wasn’t your responsibility. We’ll explain every part of your case in easy-to-understand terms and fight aggressively to ensure you get every penny you deserve. If you want to schedule a free consultation, you can contact us online or call us at 1-888-CALL-JON.
What is Defensive Driving?
When you take a defensive driving course, you’ll learn safe driving techniques that could help keep you from being in another accident. In most cases, the course takes anywhere from 4-6 hours, and you can take classes online from the comfort of your home.
Most people have to take defensive driving because the government is forcing them to do so. But you can always take it for other reasons. For example, it will help your driving and keep more money in your bank account.
Car Insurance Discounts
Taking a defensive driving course will help you qualify for a discount on your car insurance, which can reduce the amount of money you need to pay each month. In fact, you could save as much as 10%, depending on your carrier.
Insurance companies are notorious for denying accident claims and hiking monthly rates when policyholders are to blame for a wreck. By taking a defensive driving course, the money you save can ease the pain of any rate increase.
Reduce and Avoid Points on Your License
Like many other states, Florida has a points system for licensed drivers. If you get a ticket, that adds points to your driving record. The more points you accumulate, the higher the risk you’ll lose your license.
A defensive driving course could help keep those points from accumulating, but it could also help you get a ticket dismissed.
Talk to the court that has jurisdiction over your case to determine how taking a course could affect your license. If so, make sure the court will accept online courses.
Learn Useful Techniques, Like How to React Quickly to Changes in Traffic
You might be supremely confident in your ability to handle whatever the road throws your way. But you can’t be 100% certain of what to expect whenever you get behind the wheel. For example, you could encounter a driver who’s aggressive because they’re having a bad day, or a Florida thunderstorm could come out of nowhere. If you take a defensive driving course, however, it’ll better equip you to handle the unexpected.
Defensive driving courses are comprehensive, covering safe driving techniques, such as staying away from aggressive drivers and much more. Once you’re done with the course, you’ll also have a much better grasp of Florida’s traffic laws. You’ll be a much safer driver as a result.
Reduce the Risk of Car Accidents and Save Money
Being in a car wreck can result in severe injuries that require months – or even years – of recovery. In addition, victims will often have to go through intensive physical therapy for a long time. This, of course, leads to a mountain of medical bills that can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A defensive driving course could help you avoid all that pain and misery. The techniques you learn might make the difference between getting into a severe accident and avoiding it entirely.
Also, a defensive driving course could help keep you from taking the bus to get to work or turning to a rideshare company or taxi. If you don’t get into a wreck in the first place, you don’t have to worry about accumulating points that could lead to your license being suspended.
Defensive Driving is Helpful, but Accidents Aren’t 100% Avoidable
As you can see, there are quite a few benefits to taking a defensive driving course. First, it can help you better anticipate potential problems and react to a wide range of road hazards. These include severe weather, poor visibility, and many others.
But there’s still no foolproof system for avoiding accidents entirely. You can’t control how others drive. A motorcyclist, for example, might try to split lanes in heavy traffic and can slam into the side of your car. Likewise, a drunk driver could hit you from behind when you’re stopped at a red light or stop sign.
If you encounter any of these issues and suffer a severe injury, you’re going to need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. A lawyer can investigate the accident and determine why it happened and who’s to blame. This investigation will uncover the critical evidence needed to make your case as strong as possible.
An attorney will also serve as an advocate, aggressively working to help you obtain maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and many other damages. Your lawyer will work to convince the insurance company to offer a fair settlement. But if they refuse, your attorney will be ready to deliver a compelling argument to a judge or jury should the case go to trial.
Contact Eberst Law Firm if You’ve Been Involved in a Car Accident
The Eberst Law Firm has a team of attorneys with years of experience – and a long track record of success. You won’t find another firm that provides more passionate, effective representation for our clients. The only way you’ll pay a dime is if we win your case.
If you would like to learn more about us, or you would like to schedule a free review of your case, use our online contact form or call 1-888-CALL-JON.