Did you know road accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 54 in the U.S.? According to the same annual road crash data by Association for Safe International Road Travel, more than 38,000 Americans die from road accidents, with an additional 4.4 million severely injured.
So, why do car accidents happen, and do you have a legal compensation claim if you’re involved in one? This article gives you a breakdown of the most common car accidents justifications, their legal ramifications, and most importantly, what you should do after an accident.
Let’s start with the most common causes of car accidents:
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is perhaps the most common cause of car crashes. The truth is a lot of auto accidents could have been preventable with sensible driving and more situational awareness while behind the wheel.
Being too distracted on the wheel can cause a head-on or rear collision, which can cause serious injury even at acceptable speeds. Drivers may get distracted while driving for different reasons, including:
- Texting, making, or answering a call
- Eating, especially hot or messy foods
- Talking to passengers in the car
- Looking at something on the side or behind
- Listening or watching something too keenly
2. Speeding
Another common reason for road crashes is speeding. While most motorists are aware of the dangers of speeding, they still do it when in a rush to go somewhere, impatient about staying on the road or to avoid getting caught up in traffic.
Unfortunately, speeding can become a habit that quickly turns ugly, causing personal injury to you and other people. Speeding increases your chances of colliding with another car or getting hit from behind from suddenly halting in case of an obstacle.
3. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a traffic law violation that generally defines driving a car while willfully disregarding other people’s safety or property. It can include things like:
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Switching lanes without signaling
- Suddenly stopping in the middle of the road
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Weaving through traffic at high speeds
- Driving on the expressway at super slow speeds
4. Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious traffic offense that can cause severe bodily harm or property damage. Alcohol is dangerous because it affects a person’s judgment and sense of direction.
Drunk driving is illegal in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and all other states in the US and are US states and is subject to personal injury claims.
Depending on the driver’s level of intoxication, they can lose complete control of their cognitive abilities, which are essential for safe driving. So, talk to car accident attorneys to file a suit.
5. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Drugs, including narcotics and even prescription medication, can severely affect cognitive and motor abilities. When a motorist’s judgment is impaired, the chances of crashing into other cars, people, or things are much higher.
They may also run red lights, drive at very high speeds, sleep on the wheel, among other dangerous scenarios.
6. Inexperienced Driving
Accidents caused by inexperienced driving are pretty common. While inexperienced drivers may have some driving knowledge, they may not properly navigate busy roads, heavy traffic, or winding roads, making crashing relatively easy.
7. Bad Weather
Accidents are more common in hostile weather conditions. Bad weather, including heavy rainfall, storms, or snow, can significantly affect visibility, making driving even more difficult, especially at night.
Heavy rain and snow can make the road very slippery, reducing tire-grip and increasing the chances of your car sliding off the road. However, poor car maintenance and speeding can make driving more dangerous during bad weather.
Seeking Legal Reprieve After an Auto Accident
If you or your loved one are car accident victims, you can sue the driver for medical bills and personal injury damages if they are at fault. You can also sue for car damages even if you have not suffered serious injuries.
In Pittsburgh, car accidents cases are governed by Pennsylvania personal injury law. And as a victim, you’re required to prove four key elements for a successful personal injury lawsuit. These are:
- Duty
- Breach
- Causation
- Harm
These aspects can be hard to prove on your own, and you should get yourself an experienced car accident lawyer to file and guide you through your injury claim.
What to Do After a Road Accident
The actions were taken after an accident- no matter how minor- can affect the case with insurance companies. So, it’s important that you mentally know what to do if you should find yourself in an accident.
The first thing to remember is never to accept blame for the accident, as any little detail can work against you later. Even a simple apology can be a big mistake. If you’re injured, or someone is injured, call 911 immediately to get medical attention.
Another thing to remember is always to collect evidence. That includes recording the other driver’s information (license plate, address, and insurance company details) and any statements they make. You could also take photos of the scene and details of any eyewitnesses at the scene.
Once you’ve gathered all possible evidence and gotten medical attention, get in touch with the right personal injury lawyers right away.
Need Help Seeking Justice After a Car Accident? Get in Touch with Our Auto Accident Attorneys
Have you suffered serious injuries in a road accident and are unsure what to do? Frischman & Rizza car accident lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA, have years of experience with all types of car accidents, from speeding to drunk driving.
Rest assured that our team of Pittsburgh car accident lawyers has the skills needed to handle your injury claim. All you need to do is tell us what happened and give us any evidence you may have, such as pictures or medical expenses reports. We will do everything we can to get you the damages you deserve.
Want to join our list of hundreds of millions worth in won cases? Go on and give us a call at (412) 291-9377 to get an experienced car accident lawyer to start working on your litigation!
