Car accidents can happen in an instant but leave behind lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Understanding the common causes of crashes can help drivers stay safe on the road. If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, it is important to know your legal options for seeking compensation and justice.
Keep reading for a list of the most common causes of car accidents & legal options available to you.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Many factors can contribute to a car crash. Some common causes include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road. This includes texting, talking on the phone, adjusting music, using navigation systems, eating, grooming, and more. Even just two seconds of distraction time can double your risk of an accident.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving causes thousands of accidents every year. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and delays information processing. Missing just two or three hours of sleep in a 24-hour period can double your risk of a crash.
Reckless Driving
Reckless behaviors like speeding, ignoring traffic signals, improper passing, and erratic lane changes greatly increase accident risk. Young male drivers are most likely to engage in reckless driving.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, medication, or other drugs severely impairs motor skills, reaction time, coordination, and judgment. About one-third of all accidents involve an impaired driver.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, verbal altercations, obscene gestures, and intentionally preventing passing can escalate road rage and lead to accidents.
Weather Conditions
Inclement weather like heavy rain, snow, fog, and ice reduces traction and visibility for drivers. Nearly 1.3 million weather-related crashes occur each year.
Vehicle Defects
Defective auto parts like faulty brakes, worn out tires, sticky gas pedals, and inoperable signals/lights can cause drivers to lose control and result in crashes.
Road Conditions
Poorly maintained roads and highways with uneven surfaces, potholes, falling debris, and unsafe intersections are also a factor in many accidents.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, remain calm and take these steps:
- Move your vehicle to a safe location out of oncoming traffic, if possible. Turn on your hazard lights.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance if anyone is injured.
- Render aid to anyone who may be hurt, but avoid moving victims with serious injuries.
- Exchange driver’s information with the other parties involved. Get names, contact info, insurance details, driver’s license numbers, and license plate numbers.
- Take photos of property damage, injuries, and the accident scene from different angles.
- Get contact information from any witnesses who saw the crash. Their account could help establish fault later.
- Consult an attorney and report the accident to your insurance provider promptly. Provide only the necessary basic details and follow their instructions.
- Seek medical attention even if you don’t feel hurt right away. Injuries like whiplash may take hours or days to manifest.
- Avoid admitting fault or sharing details about the accident on social media. Anything you say can be used against you later.
Injuries from Car Accidents
The kinetic force involved in car crashes often causes severe injuries to drivers and passengers such as:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Lacerations from broken glass
- Emotional trauma
In severe crashes, victims may suffer permanent disabilities, paralysis, disfigurement or even death. Seeking prompt medical treatment can help diagnose and document crash-related injuries.
Legal Options After a Car Accident
If your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence or recklessness, you have legal rights to pursue compensation for your losses. An experienced car accident lawyer Reno NV can help maximize your settlement and build a strong claim by:
Investigating the Accident
Your attorney will order police reports, interview witnesses, conduct accident recreations, and gather evidence to prove fault and liability.
Handling Insurance Claims
They will negotiate the best possible settlement from insurers by demonstrating long-term costs of your injuries and losses.
Filing a Lawsuit
If insurance settlement offers are unsatisfactory, your lawyer can file a lawsuit asserting legal claims like negligence against the at-fault driver.
Representing You in Court
If a fair settlement cannot be reached out of court, your attorney will competently represent you in court and fight for full financial damages.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to get you to provide a recorded statement or sign a quick release of liability shortly after an accident. Avoid doing either until you have legal representation. Anything you say can be misconstrued and used against you later.
Damages You Can Claim
If you win your car accident injury claim, whether through settlement or court award, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses from injury treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care
- Loss of income due to missed work
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle
- Legal fees and court costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages may also be awarded if the other driver’s behavior was exceptionally reckless or malicious. An experienced Reno personal injury attorney will fight to get you full and fair compensation.
Why Hire Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys?
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have been representing Nevada car accident victims for years. We have recovered over $100 million for clients just like you. Our legal team thoroughly investigates crashes, aggressively fights insurance companies for maximum settlements, and is not afraid to take your case to court if needed. We handle car accidents involving:
- Head-on and T-bone collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end crashes
- Sideswipe accidents
- Hit-and-run crashes
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving crashes
Let our Reno law firm help you obtain justice and compensation for your injuries. Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys today at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) for a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will review your case details and advise you of all your legal options. Call now to get your questions answered and the claims process started.
