Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence. After a collision, you'll likely face injuries, property damage, and mounting bills. Car accidents happen suddenly, but you can feel the effects for quite some time.
If you’ve experienced a car accident, you may be able to take legal action to recover financially. However, you’ll need to build your case. Pursuing recovery entails many steps, including determining the responsible party and the cause of the accident.
Fortunately, you don't have to take on your car accident case alone. A knowledgeable Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and seek justice for you.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common reasons accidents occur. When a driver is speeding, it’s easier for them to lose control of the vehicle. For this reason, speeding often causes rear-end collisions.
If a driver is speeding and the cars in front of them slow down or stop, the speeding driver has very little time and distance to stop, resulting in an accident.
Distracted Driving
Drivers often drive distracted. They believe they can multitask and still drive safely.
The biggest distractions while driving include:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Changing the radio
- Putting on makeup
- Eating
- Looking for something in the vehicle
- Disciplining children in the back seat
A distracted driver causes many accidents as they don't give their full attention to the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a significant issue in the United States, and the statistics are alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 32 people die every day from drunk driving collisions.
A driver who drives under the influence faces many repercussions, including a “driving under the influence” (DUI) charge.
Impaired driving makes it much more challenging to operate a vehicle, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Failure to Stop
When you first learn how to drive, you learn to stop at red lights and stop signs. Still, many drivers take these as suggestions, choosing to run right through them without stopping. Running red lights and stop signs is dangerous and causes unnecessary accidents.
Aggressive Driving
Driving can be frustrating, especially driving during rush hour traffic. Stressed drivers can have road rage and drive aggressively, putting others around them in danger.
Drivers often exhibit their aggression on the road in various ways, including:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Merging lanes and turning without signals
- Switching lanes quickly
This aggressive behavior on the road frequently results in collisions.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When switching lanes, you should always ensure you have enough room and use your turn signals to let other drivers know of your intent. Drivers fail to use these practices, often choosing to cut other drivers off instead.
When a driver changes lanes unsafely, they risk a rear-end collision. Additionally, if other drivers do not know a driver intends to switch lanes, they may try to enter the lane simultaneously, causing both cars to hit each other.
Fatigue
Drivers should never sit behind the wheel of a car if they're tired. However, many still do. A sleep-deprived driver risks dozing off while driving, putting others at risk. This is especially dangerous during long road trips.
Inexperienced Drivers
When teenagers begin to drive, they feel too confident behind the wheel. In reality, they still have much to learn and practice. An inexperienced driver doesn't have the same skill as a driver who has been driving for many years. This inexperience commonly results in collisions.
Wrong-Way Driving
Wrong-way driving is particularly common for drivers in unfamiliar areas. They may turn down a one-way street, not realizing they’re driving against traffic, and cause an accident.
Wrong-way driving is also dangerous because drivers never expect to see a vehicle coming directly at them, and their reaction time may be too slow. Driving the wrong way can result in one of the most dangerous types of accidents: a head-on collision.
Weather
In severe weather, drivers should think twice about taking to the streets. When they do, they must exercise caution. About 21 percent of yearly collisions are weather-related, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Inclement weather, including rain and snow, makes roads slippery and dangerous. Therefore, drivers should adjust their driving to the weather, but many fail to do so.
Speeding, distracted driving, or aggressive driving during severe weather regularly results in collisions.
Pursuing Compensation After a Collision
If you were in an accident, you may pursue damages for your injuries.
The damages you can recover depend on your accident but can include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
You may not know how much compensation you deserve. A car accident attorney is best equipped to review your case, determine how much its worth, and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Time Restriction for Collision Cases
Statutes of limitations in the accident claim restrict the time to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your collision.
Under Connecticut law, you have two years from the accident to file a claim. If time expires and you fail to file your lawsuit, you'll forfeit your right to compensation.
Having a car accident lawyer handle your case helps ensure your claim is filed in time, preserving your right to recovery.
Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer
After a collision, a car accident attorney can be your best ally.
A car accident attorney can handle the most important tasks involved with your case, including:
- Explaining your rights
- Giving you the best legal advice
- Creating a legal strategy
- Gathering relevant evidence
- Determining the cause of the collision
- Interviewing witnesses
- Calculating your damages
- Negotiating your settlement
Never handle your collision case on your own. After a collision, speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia as soon as possible.
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Gabriel Levin - Owner/Founder
Gabriel Levin is a highly experienced and award-winning attorney with over 10 years of practice in Pennsylvania. Known for his tenacity, he has represented clients in a wide range of civil matters and tried hundreds of cases. He prepares each case as if it will go to trial, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
Unlike many firms that delegate tasks, Attorney Levin personally handles every aspect of each case and maintains open communication with his clients throughout. He has secured millions in compensation, making him a smart choice for those seeking legal representation.
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