Every day, we get in our cars and go about our day without incident. Unfortunately, though, accidents do happen that can result in injuries you need compensation for.
Fortunately, our car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation if you were injured by another person’s negligence. Negligent drivers are more common on the roads than most would like to believe and they can cause accidents in several ways. If so, you can file a lawsuit to get justice for your damages.
For a free case review with our car accident attorneys, contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Harrison, GA
There are countless causes of car accidents. Regardless of the type of car accident you were injured in, if it was caused by another person’s negligence, you deserve compensation. The following are just a few of the most common causes of car accidents in Harrison:
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Harrison. The faster a person drives, the less time they have to react if something unexpected happens on the road ahead. Speeding drivers risk losing control of their vehicle, slamming into another car, or hitting an object such as a tree or wall. If a person is driving above the posted speed limit or going too fast for road conditions, they put others on the road in danger because other motorists will have difficulty reacting quickly enough to avoid hitting them if they need to stop suddenly or swerve out of your way.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another major cause of car accidents that our car accident attorneys in Harrison can help you recover compensation for. Drivers distracted by their cell phones or other technology have slower reaction times and are less able to control their cars’ movements on the road. This increases the likelihood of them crashing into another vehicle or hitting an obstacle in their paths, like a pedestrian crossing at an intersection or road construction. These accidents can be devasting since a distracted driver might not be able to do anything to mitigate the collision before it occurs.
Running Traffic Signals
Running traffic signals can cause very serious car accidents in Harrison. When a driver runs a red light or stop sign, it is assumed that they did so because they wanted to get through the intersection before other vehicles. This is particularly dangerous because drivers that run traffic signals often travel faster than other vehicles at intersections, increasing their risk of hitting pedestrians or cars stopped at the light. Drivers who run traffic lights or signs also put other drivers in danger by causing them to slam on their brakes or swerve out of the way to avoid a crash.
Illegal Lane Changes
Negligent drivers often cause car accidents by illegally changing lanes. Sometimes, drivers change lanes without using their turn signals, or they are not paying attention to other drivers and make sudden lane changes without indicating that they are going to do so or checking their mirrors first. This can lead to severe accidents, including head-on collisions, if the other driver is forced into the oncoming lane of traffic.
Tailgating
Tailgating is another common cause of car accidents, leading to many rear-end collisions in Harrison. Drivers being tailgated should never try to speed up to get away from the person behind. Instead, they should slow down gradually until there is enough distance between them and their tailgater before stopping completely. If someone else’s negligence leads to a car crash because they were following too closely behind you, you have grounds for filing a lawsuit against them.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is among the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Harrison and throughout Georgia. Drunk drivers do not just pose an immediate risk to themselves; they also pose a severe danger to everyone else on the road, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists who might be nearby. Drunk drivers often react too slowly to slow down or avoid an accident before it is too late. If a drunk driver injures you, you can likely recover damages meant to punish the defendant.
How to Prove Fault in a Car Accident Lawsuit in Harrison, GA
Proving negligence in a car accident case requires submitting evidence to establish four distinct elements. These elements include duty, breach, causation, and damages. Proving each is critical to recovering compensation as failing to establish one of the elements listed below means the case will not be successful.
Duty
First, you must prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident. Drivers owe everyone else on the road a legal duty not to cause them harm. For instance, every driver owes everyone else on the road the duty not to drive while intoxicated or distracted by texting while driving. If they breach their duty, they have breached their legal obligation towards you and can be sued for any injuries caused by their actions.
Breach
Next, you must show that the other driver breached their legal obligation by acting in some way that caused an injury or loss to you. This can include failing to act in certain situations when it was legally required for them to do so. For example, failing to yield at an intersection where you were entitled to cross. If you show that the other driver did not drive with reasonable care and caution, you can prove that they breached their duty of care.
Causation
Causation means that the other driver’s actions caused your injuries. For example, if you were rear-ended while waiting at a stop sign and suffered injuries, you must prove that the defendant’s car struck yours and that your injuries were caused by this impact rather than some other event. If you can show that but for the other driver’s negligence, you would not have been injured, you will satisfy this element of your case.
Damages
You also need to prove that you suffered damages as a result of your car accident. Damages refer to the financial losses you have suffered due to the other driver’s negligence. Any money spent in furtherance of your treatment, including medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses, can be claimed in your lawsuit. Thus, keeping accurate records, receipts, and estimates for any expenses you paid because of the accident is important.
Our Harrison, GA Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to speak with our car accident attorneys and receive your free case evaluation.
