Car Accidents - What To Know

This year, thousands of individuals will lose their life in a car accident, and millions more will sustain a serious injury. In fact, car accidents are the number one cause of unnecessary deaths in the United States and the leading source of personal injury claims.

A motor vehicle accident can happen for any reason, unfortunately a large number occur due to one of the drivers' negligence. Accidents, as a direct result of negligence, are a serious problem in the United States and often result in property damage, minor to severe physical injury and wrongful death. Negligence is often defined as the failure to act with reasonable care, which subsequently causes damage and/or harm to another individual.

A car crash can be the result of driver inattention, excessive speed, distraction or impairment. Two of the leading causes of car accidents today are distraction and impairment. Distraction is anything that diverts the driver's attention from the primary task at hand, which is to navigate a vehicle. Distraction can be visual, cognitive or physical. Recent developments of cell phones and in-vehicle technologies have contributed to a large number of car accidents. Impairment, on the other hand, can be caused by a number of factors, including drug abuse or driving while intoxicated. Both distraction and impairment are considered negligent.

In some cases, an auto accident lawsuit may also be brought against parties other than the negligent driver. If the driver was working for a company and/or an individual at the time of the crash, then his/her employer may be held liable. This is often referred to as liability of negligent entrustment. In cases where more than party may be responsible, the cost of compensation is distributed among the individuals involved, this is known as comparative negligence. Negligent entrustment and comparative negligence are not exercised in every state; this is why it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with the laws in your state.

However, not all car accidents are caused by the negligence of another driver. Car accidents can also be caused by a mechanical error caused by either the driver himself or an auto mechanic. Vehicle design flaws are another common factor, in which case the manufacturer of the car is held liable and often forced to recall a particular model to prevent further injuries or deaths. Also, flawed road design, or improper usage of traffic signs and/or road construction signs can lead to car accidents.

If you believe that your car accident was caused by the negligent behavior of another driver, a manufacturer, an auto mechanic and/or the government, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer who can help. Car accident lawyers have a deep understanding of personal injury laws in your state and have the necessary education, training and knowledge to help you obtain appropriate auto accident compensation. In fact, car accident lawsuits are the most frequent civil lawsuits in the court system today.