Common Car Accident Causes
Car accidents are unfortunately an everyday phenomenon. With so many cars out on America’s highways and byways, it’s very likely that you or a loved one will become involved in a car crash. Even as a safe and careful driver, following all the laws, you can still find yourself in a tragic accident because of a negligent driver. There are numerous ways that a car accident can happen. Here are the most common causes of car crashes:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperienced drivers (e.g., teenagers)
- Driving fatigue
- Bad weather
- Poor road conditions
- Vehicular defects and failure
- SUV rollover
No matter the reason, a car crash can cause severe, life-threatening injuries and property damage. It may take some time and effort to prove who was at fault which is why it’s important to secure personal injury lawyers who are experienced in cases like these.
Common Car Accident Collisions
Just as there are different types of car accident causes, there are a few different kinds of car collisions:
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Side-impact crashes–also known as being “T-boned” or “broadsided”
- Sideswipes
- Multiple vehicle pile-up
- Low speed impact
- Single vehicle accidents (e.g., hitting an object or pedestrian, or skidding on ice and hitting a pole)
Depending on the type of collision, the car’s occupants can have little to no injury to life-threatening injuries, even death. And, with cars traveling the roads at higher speeds and sharing the road with large, commercial trucks and buses, these collisions can become even more life altering.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Even though car wrecks are a common occurence, when they happen, it is still a shock. Your normal life has been disrupted. Your main form of transportation may have been damaged, even put out of commission — and you may have been too. These are some of the types of injuries that you or a loved one may sustain in a car crash:
- Head and neck injuries
- Brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Bone fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Internal injuries
- Emotional trauma
The physical and psychological damage that you could possibly sustain could involve months of medical treatment and rehabilitation. This is why it’s important to make sure you contact an Alabama personal injury lawyer who can help you with your claim and fight for you to get compensation for your injuries.
What You Need to Do After the Car Accident
In order to have the best chance of receiving compensation for your claim, it’s important to know what to do after a car accident. The following list will help you and your case:
- Get to safety. You and your passengers should stay off the road to prevent another accident due to oncoming traffic. Move your car to the shoulder or median if you can. If not, put up reflective triangles and your hazard lights.
- Collect names and contact information of all people involved in the accident. This means all the drivers, owners of vehicles, the passengers, and the witnesses.
- Collect vehicle information. Registration, license plate numbers, and insurance information for all involved vehicles.
- Call the police and get an accident report later. Stick to the important details.
- Get an ambulance if needed. Make sure that you and your passengers are out of harm’s way. Then check if everyone is OK. Do not talk about your physical condition to anyone else.
- Take photos of the accident scene. If you can, use your phone’s camera (or make sure to have a disposable camera in your car for accidents). Photograph all involved cars and show the point of impact on each car. Include street signs as well as other identifying features to help identify the crash location.
- Go seek medical attention. Even if you think you feel OK, go to the ER and get checked out. Many injuries show up hours, days, or weeks later, and you also may have internal injuries that you can’t see or feel. Also, make sure to get a medical report to help your claim and case. If you continue to have symptoms post-crash, continue to see your doctor.
- Do not apologize for the accident. An apology under these circumstances could be seen as an admission of guilt.
- Do not admit fault to insurance companies or providers. Consult with an attorney first. This is important because it can affect the compensation you may receive.
- Contact experienced personal injury attorney. By consulting with expert legal counsel, the attorney can help you determine who is at fault, and will work with the insurance companies as well as the other driver to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Types of Compensation You May Receive
After a car accident, you may be facing a mountain of medical bills and a car that needs to be repaired or replaced. If you have been injured in a car accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:
- Vehicle damage, including resale value depreciation
- Loss of use of your vehicle
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished or lost quality of life
- Disfigurement
