Automobile Accidents
Mobile, Alabama & Pensacola, Florida
Being involved in an auto accident can be a terrifying experience. Feelings of terror can quickly change to feelings of helplessness if your car has been totaled, or you or a loved one injured, by another person’s negligence. And though the accident itself may be over in a matter of minutes, or even seconds, the after effects can take much longer to resolve. Insurance issues may take months, and long-term physical and emotional care may be required for life.
Car Accident Causes
Every year there are hundreds of thousands of people injured and tens of thousands killed in auto accidents. Auto accidents can be caused by many factors including:
- Defective vehicle – Design flaws, which drivers have no control over, can cause serious accidents. SUV's may be at risk of rollover, brakes may fail, or tires may be defective. While these are often caught by vehicle recalls, the information may not reach all vehicle owners, or the recall may not be issued before an accident occurs.
- Defective roadway – Poorly designed or maintained roads, malfunctioning traffic lights, or inadequate warning of defects have caused many accidents.
- Driver distraction – It is easy to become distracted while driving. Because Americans are on the road so much, driving becomes second nature and many people do not pay attention as they should. Drivers talk, and even text, on cell phones, they try to attend to children in the car, they rubberneck, or pick up items they’ve dropped. Because it only takes seconds for an accident to occur, any of these examples could have serious or fatal consequences.
- Driver impairment – Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are the two most common impairments we think of in this category. However, driver fatigue, age, and road rage are just as dangerous. There are strict penalties for a driver who is under the influence, but when it comes to fatigue, age, and rage issues, the law becomes more murky and harder to prove.
- Hazardous weather conditions – Conditions such as wind, fog, rain, and snow create hazards by reducing visibility, making the roads slick, or hard to control a vehicle on, or create standing pools of water which can cause hydroplaning. Most drivers would probably stay off the roads during hazardous weather, but many do not have that luxury. Many auto accidents are caused by inclement weather every year.
- Speed – Speed limits are posted for a reason. Excessive speed not only causes a greater chance of being involved in an accident, but the chances of being seriously injured increase as well. However, drivers who are driving too slowly can also cause hazards that create conditions for accidents.
Auto Accident Claims
Negligence which causes an accident and leads to you or your loved one becoming victims may be grounds for a lawsuit. If you are injured, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Because some injuries can take days or even weeks to surface, you should see your primary care physician even if you do not think you are injured. The next step you should take is to contact an experienced attorney. By calling your insurance agency or speaking with the insurance agency of the negligent party, you may cheat yourself out of compensation that you are qualified to receive. By contacting an experienced attorney who knows the law, you may be able to claim damages that can cover things such as vehicle repairs, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident in the Mobile, Alabama or Pensacola, Florida area, please contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Taylor Martino Zarzaur, attorneys at law.
This Car Accidents Information Center is intended to provide general information only. It is not specific to your case. For answers to your questions about your own situation, contact a car accident lawyer at Taylor Martino Zarzaur.
