Common Auto Accident Causes
When a negligent driver causes a crash in the state of Texas, the courts allow you to hold the motorist accountable. If a careless motorist caused your accident and injuries, you need legal representation you can depend on and trust. A legal team will work with insurance companies on your behalf and deal with the civil court filings if necessary. A skillful Texas auto accident lawyer at Godsey Martin, PC, could help you get the fair settlement you need to get your life back on track.
Auto accidents occur for many reasons, and quite often, they are unintentional. However, sometimes they occur because of negligence, and some reasons are more common than others. Typical causes of auto accidents include:
Texting and Driving
Texting and driving is the leading cause of accidents in this country. Most states have laws in place that strictly prohibit drivers from texting behind the wheel. If a reckless driver was texting and driving, a court could hold them criminally and financially responsible.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and reckless driving is a significant cause of severe accidents in the state of Texas every year. Speeding increases the risk of an accident considerably. The faster the driver is traveling, the longer they need to come to a stop. A motorist who drives over the posted speed limit or recklessly is a negligent driver and dangerous driver.
Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence
Driving under the influence accounts for over 30% of serious car accidents in this state each year. Alcohol and drugs significantly reduce the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely and make sound judgment decisions from behind the wheel. If a motorist who chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired causes your damages, you should hold them responsible for their reckless behavior.
Determining Liability After a Car Crash
Determining liability after a car crash will require that you, along with the help of a legal professional, prove four basic elements. The four aspects of fault include the following:
- The other drivers owed you a duty of care- every driver owes this duty to other drivers on the surrounding roads.
- The motorist was negligent and failed to do what any reasonable driver would do.
- Their negligent acts were the direct cause of your injuries and property damages.
- You sustained verifiable damages and losses.
A seasoned attorney at Godsey Martin, PC, works with you to investigate the accident. They help collect the verification needed to establish the four elements of liability.
Common Car Accident Injuries
While countless injuries could occur in auto accidents, some of the most common include:
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They are the most typical type of injury people sustain in car accidents. Whiplash is a common, painful soft tissue injury in the neck that often occurs during auto accidents. Whiplash happens when muscles and ligaments stretch because of a sudden movement. Other common soft tissue injuries include mid and lower back muscle sprains.
Head Injuries
Head injuries as a result of car accidents can range from minor to severe. When the vehicle suddenly stops or changes directions, it can cause the neck and head to make abnormal movements. The movements can result in the head impacting side windows, windshields, or other objects, causing injury.
Leg and Arm Injuries
The same unnatural movements and forces that cause neck and head injuries can cause leg and arm injuries. Injuries can range from superficial bruises or bumps to sprains or severe fractures and breaks.
Chest Injuries
The driver in car crashes often sustains chest injuries. Injuries may include broken ribs or internal injuries. Drivers suffer these injuries because of their chest colliding with the steering wheel during the collision.
Recovering Damages After a Vehicle Collision
There is no maximum amount of compensation for damages a person can collect after a car crash in this state. The Texas Civil Remedies Code Section 41.01 outlines the recoverable economic and non-economic damages. The court awards damages to the injured party to compensate them for their losses. Compensation includes losses under the following categories:
- Current and future medical expenses including treatment, medications, doctor visits, and therapy.
- Current and future lost wages including earnings and benefits.
- Property damages, including any losses you suffered as a result of the collision.
- Non-economic damages, including pain, suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life, resulting from the injuries you sustained in the accident.
A knowledgeable car crash attorney at Godsey Martin, PC, could answer your questions on recoverable damages after a vehicle collision.
The Texas Statute of Limitations
The civil court enforces a strict time frame for suing in personal injury claims. As per the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003, the statute of limitations for filing a civil suit after an auto accident is two years. The time begins running on the date the accident occurs. If you do not file the claim with the civil court within the two-year time frame, you could lose the ability to collect compensation for the damages you sustained in the collision.
Schedule a Meeting With a Qualified Auto Accident Lawyer at Godsey Martin, PC
State laws will hold them responsible when careless or reckless drivers cause injuries to other drivers on the roads. The collisions can leave you with injuries that require extensive medical care and cause you to miss extended periods of work. It shouldn’t be your responsibility to pay for damages that another person’s careless actions caused. If a negligent driver caused your accident, injuries, and damages, meet with an experienced attorney at Godsey Martin, PC, right away to begin preparing your claim. Skilled legal representation could handle negotiations and fight for the justice and fair compensation you deserve.
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