Mesa, AZ Car Accident Lawyers
FREE CASE REVIEW FREE CASE REVIEW ⟶Experiencing an unexpected car accident can be emotionally rattling. Even someone who practices safe driving may still be involved in a car accident simply because he or she cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road.
Statistics show that car accidents occur quite frequently, possibly more often than most people realize. In fact, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were almost 122,000 car accidents in Arizona during 2023 alone.
If you or your loved one has recently been involved in a car accident, protect your rights by speaking with a lawyer with Big Auto Accident Attorneys. Our experienced personal injury lawyers, serving Mesa, AZ, can help you seek the maximum amount of compensation for the damages you have suffered. Contact our law firm today at 1 (844) BIG-AUTO to schedule your free consultation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
It is a fact that there are a variety of causes for car accidents. Sometimes, the reasons for an accident are initially unknown at the time of the crash. However, in most cases, the cause is discovered to be driver error. The most common types of driver negligence include the following.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents across the nation. If a driver’s attention is diverted from the road, even for a few seconds, a car crash may result.
Common forms of distracted driving include texting or talking on the phone, putting on makeup, adjusting the GPS or radio, eating and drinking, engaging with passengers, or simply daydreaming.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
If a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, his or her thinking is impaired, and the reaction time is slowed. In such a state of mind, the driver may fail to yield, stay in his or her lane, or even notice traffic safety signs. This usually results in accidents ranging from fender-benders to head-on collisions.
Drowsy driving
Lack of sufficient rest and certain illnesses or medications are potential reasons why a person may be driving while fatigued. Similar to distracted driving and DUIs, drowsy driving is a leading cause of car accidents. In fact, an estimated 71,000 people are injured each year from accidents caused primarily by drowsy driving, according to one source.
Reckless driving
A motorist who is reckless drives in a way that shows a flagrant disregard for traffic safety laws, thus endangering the lives of other drivers on the road. Acts such as running red lights, speeding, tailgating, and failing to yield are all types of reckless driving.
In addition to driver negligence, there are other common causes of car accidents. A few of these are bad weather and hazardous road conditions. In some cases, bad weather can create hazardous road conditions. Snow, sleet, and excessive rain result in slippery roads, which can cause a driver to hydroplane into oncoming traffic.
Regarding hazardous road conditions, the state or municipality has a legal responsibility to maintain public roads in a reasonably safe condition. Failure to do so can result in cracks and potholes on the pavement or debris left on the road, which may cause a driver to veer into oncoming traffic in an effort to avoid such hazards.
While it highlights the most common causes of car accidents, this list is by no means comprehensive. There are other causes of car accidents, some of which are not immediately obvious, such as a faulty car part. This is why the assistance of a Mesa, AZ, car accident lawyer is vital in establishing the cause of the car crash and proving liability for compensation.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
In the aftermath of a car accident, victims are typically left suffering injuries that can range from mild to catastrophic. Even what may initially appear to be a minor injury may later prove to be life-changing.
Some of the most common injuries from car accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Any type of head injury that results from a car accident would require immediate medical attention. This is because some TBIs could initially appear as minor but could later prove to be life-threatening.
- Spinal cord injuries: Victims of car accidents may suffer injuries to the spinal cord. Since the spinal cord is the means by which the brain sends messages to the body, any spinal cord injury is a cause for concern. In some cases, a car accident victim is left permanently paralyzed.
- Internal injuries: Due to the force from impact in a car crash, a victim may suffer internal injuries such as damage to vital organs. This can occur if a bone breaks and punctures an organ. Further, internal bleeding may result, which can be life-threatening.
- Lacerations: Deep cuts in the skin, known as lacerations, can range from mild to severe and can be very painful. In some cases, car accident victims have been left permanently scarred.
- Whiplash: This type of neck injury, which occurs when a victim’s head moves and forth with great force, is common in car accidents. In some cases, the recovery from whiplash can be quick. However, in other cases, victims suffer long-term complications, such as tissue damage and vertebral fractures.
- Emotional injuries: In addition to the physical injuries that victims of car crashes suffer, there are also psychological damages as well. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety are all common types of emotional injuries that car accident victims suffer.
- Wrongful death: In some cases, a car accident is so catastrophic that an innocent victim’s life is cut short. The pain the family is left feeling can be devastating, yet this pain is further compounded by the thought that their loved one lost his or her life due to someone’s negligence.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to Receive
In the aftermath of a car accident, you may be dealing with not only recovering from damages suffered but accumulating medical bills. You have a right to seek compensation for your losses.
Such compensation may include:
- Expenses for medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Compensation for wrongful death
Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim
If you or your loved one has recently been injured in a car accident, you have a legal right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. However, do not make the mistake of trying to handle your claim on your own. There’s much more involved than it may appear if you want to receive fair compensation for your losses.
First, a thorough investigation would need to be performed to isolate the actual cause of the crash, such as driver error or perhaps other factors played a part. Next, an estimated dollar would need to be calculated for all losses, present and future.
Then, aggressive negotiations with insurance adjusters and perhaps opposing attorneys would need to be done to obtain a fair settlement. Lastly, if needed, a lawsuit would need to be filed.
Why attempt to navigate the legal process on your own? Let the experienced Big Auto Accident Attorneys serving Mesa, AZ, fight for you while you focus on healing. When we take on your case, we are confident we will win. Contact us today at (844) BIG-AUTO to schedule a free consultation. We don’t just settle; we get big results.