The most common reason for car accidents is negligence. Drivers owe each other a legal duty of care to drive safely and reasonably. When they breach that duty and cause an accident that results in injuries or fatalities, then they are legally liable for the damages they have caused. Negligence takes many forms and varies in degree. Some forms of negligence also come with criminal charges.
Any time you have been injured in a car accident, you should speak with a personal injury attorney advises Grossman Law Offices in Fresno. They will establish to the judge and jury that the negligent driver owed you a duty of care and that their breach of this duty led to your injuries and losses. You are much more likely to recover the maximum competition possible if you work with an attorney regardless of the type of negligence or recklessness explained below.
Contents
Speeding
Speeding was a factor in 29 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2020. Speeding makes it harder to maintain control of a vehicle and requires increased stopping distance after a driver has perceived a danger or obstacle on the road. Speeding can be an aggravating factor in a car crash, especially if the driver was also drinking, talking on a cell phone, or breaking any other traffic laws.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can be considered a form of negligence because any reasonable driver would pay attention to the road. Research has shown that distracted driving occurs in more than 36 percent of trips across the United States and that driver distraction is responsible for more than 58 percent of car crashes among teenagers. There are three types of distracted driving, and each of them carries specific risks.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions involve taking your eyes off the road and are some of the most common types of distractions behind the wheel. They include when the driver’s field of view is blocked or when a driver’s eyes wander to cell phone messages, for example.
Manual Distractions
Activities that require the driver to remove one or both of their hands from the wheel are manual distractions. Common types of manual distractions include applying makeup, eating, drinking, or using a cell phone.
Cognitive Distractions
Have you ever noticed your mind wandering while behind the wheel, especially after a hard day at work or a significant event? These are cognitive distractions, and while almost everyone experiences them, most people try to pay attention to the road. If you are mentally preoccupied with errands that you need to run, a piece of music that you’re listening to, or an email or text message that you received, then you are not giving your full attention to the road.
Drunk Driving
Driving while intoxicated is one of the most egregious forms of negligence behind the wheel. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes it harder to maintain control of the vehicle, stay focused on the road and respond to changing road conditions. Drunk driving is a form of recklessness, but an individual does not necessarily need to have a blood alcohol content over the legal limit to get a DUI. If even one drink incapacitates a driver, but they get behind the wheel anyway, they may face DUI charges and a personal injury lawsuit filed by the injured party.
Call An Attorney When Injured In An Accident
Regardless of the type of negligence the driver displayed when they caused your accident, you should always seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney when you have been harmed in a car crash.