Common Causes of Car Accidents in Southlake
A serious car accident can leave you grappling with catastrophic pain, suffering, and injuries that can impact your ability to work or interact with your loved ones. While there are many common causes of car accidents in Southlake, careless or reckless drivers are often to blame.
If you are dealing with severe injuries sustained in a recent auto accident, you may be wondering how you will cover the cost of your medical bills and lost wages. A dedicated car accident lawyer could evaluate your incident and investigate who may owe you compensation for your injuries.
Leading Causes of Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle crashes in Southlake can be caused by a variety of negligent acts. In other words, many of these accidents could have been entirely avoidable had a person or company upheld their legal duty of care.
Drivers who fail to observe traffic laws and signals can create a situation where a terrible wreck is almost inevitable. Speeding and reckless, aggressive, careless, drunk, or drug-impaired driving are among the leading causes of auto accidents in the state of Texas and across the nation.
Other negligent driving behaviors that are frequently cited causes of deadly car crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Illegal or unsafe lane changes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Tailgating or following too closely
However, other factors, such brake failure or another vehicle malfunction, can play a role in these collisions.
Auto accident victims may suffer injuries ranging from broken bones and sprained muscles to internal organ and brain injuries. A skilled attorney could review the sequence of events that led to the wreck to identify the cause and the parties who may be liable for the victim’s subsequent injuries.
Collecting Compensation After a Car Crash
Different types of compensation may be available for victims injured in car accidents. Elements that could impact the breadth and availability of compensation include, but are not limited to, the determination of liability, the presence of serious injuries, the scope of available evidence, and insurance coverage. The distribution of liability in a motor vehicle collision will depend on the unique facts of the case, and whether or not negligence can be proven.
To prove negligence, the injured individual needs to show that the other driver owed them a legal duty of care, failed to uphold that duty, and those actions were the direct and proximate cause of the accident. The injured individual also needs to show that the accident was the cause of their injuries and subsequent damages.
Multiple forms of evidence could be used to demonstrate that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused a Southlake auto accident. These could include:
- Photos
- Witness statements
- Law enforcement reports
- Dash and traffic cam footage
- Treatment and hospitalization records
Compensation could include the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, as well as the value of their pain, suffering, and other related damages.
In addition to seeking prompt medical care, notifying the police about the accident, getting the other driver’s insurance information, and reporting the accident to the insurance company, victims should also consult with a lawyer. An experienced attorney could gather and preserve evidence, document the victim’s injuries, communicate with the insurance company, and pursue all viable forms of legal action to maximize financial recovery.
Discuss Common Causes of Car Accidents With a Southlake Attorney
Strict filing deadlines apply to auto accident cases. If you think you may have a viable claim, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to find out your best legal options.
While many common causes of car accidents in Southlake relate to negligent behavior, most victims have just two years from the date of the collision to start a claim. Contact a seasoned car crash attorney today who could evaluate whether you have grounds to pursue compensation.