There are several common causes of an auto accident. If you have been involved in one and it was not your fault you may be able to file a personal injury claim. This is because in most states personal injury laws allow victims to claim compensation for the expenses incurred due to an auto accident. These include medical expenses, car repairs, loss of wages while you are recovering from the injury, an amount calculated for the pain and suffering you have endured and lastly punitive damages if you can prove the driver was deliberately negligent.
Auto Accident
An auto accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, object, or another vehicle, causing damage or injury or both. If you can prove who caused the auto accident and you weren’t at fault you may be able to file a personal injury claim from the insurer of the driver who caused the auto accident. States have different fault laws which impact who can file a claim so you need to check your state’s laws before pursuing a personal injury claim.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding is defined as driving dangerously when the driver isn’t obeying road rules and causes accidents or other damage such as to nearby objects. Driving a vehicle at 155 km/h or over is considered to be speeding. Excessive speed causes many accidents, as it increases the chances of the driver losing control of the vehicle while decreasing the time available to react to hazards.
Reckless driving is when a driver exceeds the speed limit in an area by 45 km/h. It is also running a red light or a stop sign, or changing lanes suddenly or when someone chooses to talk or text on their phone resulting in not paying attention to the road. Driving under the influence of alcohol or getting behind the wheel after using illegal drugs are also examples of reckless driving. All this behavior on the road can cause the driver to lose control, resulting in head-on collisions, side swipes and rear ending a vehicle in front.
Driving While Fatigued
Feeling sleepy while driving means the driver doesn’t have full control of the vehicle leading to many types of devastating accidents such as head on collisions, rear-enders, rollovers and side swipes. All of which could cause devastating injuries to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians as well as property damage.
To avoid driving while fatigued pull over as soon as you feel the fatigue influencing your driver behavior, take a rest and when you feel you are rested enough to drive continue behind the wheel.
Get Connected with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an auto accident you should fill out the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent personal injury attorney who may be able to help with your auto accident case.
