Motor vehicle accidents account for thousands of deaths in the United States each year. During 2018, 36,560 people died in motor vehicle accidents. While the causes of traffic accidents vary, poor weather conditions play a factor in many crashes. A recent study indicates that even light rain can pose a significant risk for fatal traffic accidents. Our California car accident attorneys take a closer look at that study in this article.
Weather Conditions Can Increase the Risk of a Car Accident
Rain of any intensity can increase the risk of a car crash.
Determining fault for a car accident is crucial to receiving compensation for injuries, damages, and losses. Under California personal injury laws, the person responsible for causing the collision is responsible for the damages caused by the accident. However, proving who caused a multi-vehicle accident can be difficult. An experienced California car accident attorney may need to retain experts, such as accident reconstructionists, to help recreate the accident to determine fault and liability.
Common Types of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Several different types of car accidents can result in multiple vehicles being involved in the crash.
An individual injured in an auto accident in California may suffer a variety of physical, emotional, and financial damages. If the other driver or another party is responsible for the case of the accident, the individual might receive compensation for these damages. The types of damages you can seek after an auto accident depends on numerous factors. An experienced California car accident attorney can evaluate your case and explain what types of damages can be included in your accident claim.
Common Damages Included in Auto Accident Claims
Three types of damages might be included in an auto accident claim.
When you sustain injuries in an accident, such as a motor vehicle accident or fall, the insurance provider for the other party will likely send you several requests after you file the insurance claim. Before responding to these requests, it is wise to consult a California car accident attorney. Some of the insurance company requests may be legitimate, but some requests are designed to gain information that could potentially harm your injury claim. Let’s look at why allowing an insurance company access to your medical records without talking to an attorney may be an unwise decision.
Driverless cars are no longer the subject of fantasy and science fiction movies. You can see driverless cars or semi-automated vehicles on streets and highways throughout California. However, are driverless cars safe? Autonomous vehicles are involved in numerous traffic accidents in California and other states. Proponents of driverless vehicles argue that they make roads safer by reducing the number of distracted driving accidents and other accidents caused by driver error. Unfortunately, there are other problems with driverless vehicles that could result in a crash. Our California car accident attorney assists individuals in investigating and file claims related to driverless car accidents.
In most cases, the driver of a vehicle who causes a car accident is responsible for any damages caused by the crash. However, that is not always the case. If the driver of the vehicle is not the owner of the vehicle, you could have a claim for damages against more than one individual. A California car accident attorney can help you sort out the issue to protect your rights after a car crash.
Driver vs. Car Owner — Who is Responsible?
When a person is injured in a car accident, he or she may have an injury claim against one or more parties. In most cases, one of the drivers involved in the wreck is responsible for causing the accident. Accident victims file their claims with the insurance provider for the at-fault driver.
However, the insurance company is only liable up to the policy limits of the driver’s liability insurance policy. Because damages can be significant after a car crash, victims may want to talk to a California car accident attorney as soon as possible to assess their legal rights and options regarding a car accident claim.
New car tech helps prevent car accidents in numerous ways. However, there are also apps that make driving safer. Everyone wants to believe they are a safe driver; however, just one small distraction could result in a deadly traffic accident. Because many safe driving apps are free to download and use or cost very little to purchase, our California personal injury attorney suggests that you may want to research several of the following apps to help decrease your chance of being involved in a traffic accident.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and damages. In most cases, car accident claims are settled with the insurance provider for the at-fault driver. However, there are some cases in which an accident victim may need to contact a California personal injury attorney to discuss filing a personal injury lawsuit.
If you are in the process of seeking car accident compensation, it is helpful to know the following five factors that could impact your ability to recover compensation for an injury claim:
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A Good Samaritan is someone who lends a hand in times of need or distress without compensation or personal benefit. However, some individuals were being sued for their actions, even though they were genuinely trying to help. Many states, including California, enacted Good Samaritan laws to try to protect people who voluntarily rendered aid to others in an emergency. Unfortunately, California’s first attempt at a Good Samaritan law was flawed. Changes to the law have expanded the protection, but not in every situation. Our California personal injury attorney discusses the change in the law below.
