Causes of Car Accidents
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Bad Weather
- Disobedience to traffic laws
- Driving while tired
- Underage driving or driving without license
- Distracted driving (ex. Texting while driving)
The majority of car accident claims can be resolved through a civil lawsuit. They basically result in monetary damages award. On the other hand, there are some types of car accidents that may lead to criminal consequences, especially the ones that involve driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The Role of the Causes to the Outcome of the Case
Certainly, the causes of a car accident can affect the outcome of the case, as accidents involving dangerous and reckless behavior, the monetary award for the damages is often higher than those that involve negligence. For example, when a person recklessly disobeys the traffic laws by speeding, he may face a lawsuit for such behavior if it leads to injuries. At the same time, the lawsuit may also result in punitive damages award, which may involve very high amounts of damages.
On the other hand, an accident that is triggered by a bad weather may result in lesser damages. And when the driver is not found liable for any form of violation, he may not be required to pay for the damages. In contrast, cases that involve drunk driving or DUI may result in severe legal consequences. The driver, who is drunk will be subject to penalties, such as the loss of driving privileges, which can be permanent or temporary.
Moreover, the nature of the car accident sometimes indicate which party is responsible. For example, in many rear-end collisions, the accident is often caused by the rear car that follows too closely.
What Happens When the Injured Party to the Cause of the Accident?
At some point, it happens that an injured party is partially at fault because they somehow contributed to the cause of the accident. Say for example, a driver was hit by another car at an intersection, however, both of the cars were found speeding at the time the impact happened. In this case, it's difficult to determine whether or not they would suffer a collision if they were not speeding. Therefore, it can be the case that the injured party is partially at fault in the cause of the accident.
Do I Need Help from A Lawyer?
Having a full understanding of the leading causes of a car accident is a great help when you have a car accident claim. And of course, it's a helpful and a wise idea to have a lawyer beside you for legal representation. Your lawyer would be able to advise you of the specific laws in your state or area and provide guidance through the entire process.
[Photo Credits: By Maxim Ross and Arup Malakar via Flickr]
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