When you are involved in a car accident, your first priority should be the health of all of the people involved. Call 911 and request emergency medical help for everyone involved. Once medical assistance has been provided, law enforcement will arrive. You will be asked to give a statement.
Before they arrive, you should gather information about the other drivers involved in the accident. Gather all of their contact information, including their license numbers. This information is important, especially if you file a claim; and your car accident lawyer will likely ask for this information as well.
Distracted driving
Studies show that distracted driving is a contributing factor in nearly one in five fatal car accidents each year. During that time, a person may be doing anything from texting to reading a book to adjusting the radio station. When they are distracted, their eyes are off the road and their hands are not on the wheel. These behaviors have been linked to car accidents in a number of ways, from hitting another vehicle to hitting property.
Many distractions are common while driving, including talking on the cell phone, reading an email, applying lipstick, and fiddling with a navigation or entertainment system. Perhaps the most dangerous distraction is texting, which takes the driver’s eyes off the road for more than five seconds. In fact, driving at 55 mph while texting is equivalent to driving across a football field with closed eyes. This is the reason why drivers need to focus 100% of their attention while driving.
High speeds
The cliche that high speeds cause fatal car accidents is 100% true. For every 10 mph you increase your speed, the likelihood of death doubles. Additionally, the energy of a crash increases exponentially. In fact, speeding is a leading cause of traffic deaths – it accounts for one-third of all crashes. In 2018, high speeds were responsible for 9,378 deaths. In addition to the risks of fatal accidents, driving at higher speeds can damage vehicles and cause serious injuries.
Vehicles and roadway hardware can only manage a certain amount of crash energy. As speed increases, the amount of crash energy can increase significantly, resulting in greater damage and death for all involved. This is why it is crucial to obey posted speed limits and drive responsibly. Research from the 1960s indicates that vehicles traveling at higher speeds were more likely to cause serious accidents. It is also recommended to limit speed variation. For the best results, never exceed posted speed limits.
Side-impact collisions
A side-impact collision causes significant damage to a passenger car, but it can also cause fatalities in smaller cars. The occupants of the smaller cars usually absorb much of the force. However, doors and windows can be shattered, causing serious injuries. Because the vehicles are at a higher angle, side-impact collisions tend to be more deadly. The following are some of the most common injuries suffered in side-impact accidents.
The most common injuries in side-impact collisions are head and ear injuries. Airbags and broken glass are also common injuries in side-impact collisions. Other injuries in this type of accident include rib, ear, and shoulder injuries. In general, severe injuries occur to the chest, arms, and legs. The torso and abdomen/pelvis are the most common targets of side-impact crashes.
Rollovers
While the cause of rollover crashes varies among car accidents, speed is a major factor. High speeds increase the chances of a rollover during a routine maneuver. Other reasons for a rollover include tripping over a curb or bump, defective vehicle design, insufficient grip, or weather conditions. Occasionally, aggressive driving puts the targeted vehicle at risk. Regardless of the cause, rollovers can be deadly.
The number of deaths in traffic crashes has increased steadily since 1991. Approximately three-fourths of all traffic deaths are passenger vehicle occupants. The percentage of fatal rollover crashes has increased notably, from a low of 29,485 fatalities in 1992 to a high of 32,127 in 1999. This is an increase of 6 percent since 1991. It is believed that rollover crashes cause a significant percentage of fatal car accidents, especially those involving a sport-utility vehicle.
Errors in design and manufacturing
Errors in design and manufacturing in car accidents often contribute to serious crashes. A design flaw can be fatal, such as the placement of a fuel tank on a Ford Pinto. Other design flaws can be due to the manufacturer using parts from third parties that are deficient. And, sometimes, the manufacturing team may have used parts that were defective and left the vehicle unable to stop in time.
Breach of duty of care
A claim for a breach of duty of care in a fatal car accident involves an at-fault driver’s negligent driving. By speeding or driving distracted, the at-fault driver violated their duty of care, causing the victim’s death and resulting in financial losses for the family. These cases typically result in a settlement. There are a number of reasons why a breach of duty of care may be necessary.
Unlike other types of cases, proving a driver’s breach of duty of care in a fatal car accident isn’t easy. Although the duty of care principle is universal, it is difficult to prove. In motor vehicle accidents, however, every driver has a duty to operate a vehicle safely and efficiently. The burden of proof lies on the defendant to prove that he violated this duty and caused the crash. Proof of a traffic violation or a criminal act may also be used to establish a breach of duty.
