Auto Accident Injury Case Types: Which Category Do I Fall Under?

Understanding what happens after you've been seriously hurt in a vehicle accident is important so you need to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Many people searching for auto accident injury case types are curious about how their potential lawsuit compares to other similar situations where people have suffered substantial injuries. Each state has clear rules about the statute of limitations and what counts as negligence or fault. It is very important to evaluate your individual case with the help of an attorney so that you have clarity on what to expect and some of the common challenges you might face.

One of the most important elements of your case is bringing evidence that shows another person caused your accident. This might be the only way for you to receive compensation through a settlement or lawsuit so that you can put this chapter behind you and move on with your future.

There are a few ways to think about breaking auto accidents into categories, all of which you should become familiar with as soon as you can. 

What Are Auto Accidents?

When wondering about the different auto accident injury case types, which do I fall under, you'll want to be familiar with all of the different ways that an auto accident can happen. Auto accidents can involve motorcycles, pedestrians, small trucks, cars, bicycles and major trucks. Auto accidents are responsible for more than 2 million injuries every single year and over 30,00 deaths, meaning that these leave a substantial toll in the wake behind them. It is very important to have the support of an attorney to help guide you through this process because there are several different types of vehicle accidents and you'll need to understand your state's laws and how this influences your ability as a victim to recover compensation. Too many car accidents are caused by preventable or negligent actions undertaken by other drivers but as the victim, you might be the one who ends up paying the price in the form of missed time at work, lost wages, medical bills, and other far-reaching consequences. There are many different types of car wrecks so determine what caused your accident first so that you can speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your next steps.

Distracted Driving

Whenever a driver is not paying attention to the road, they dramatically increase their chances of getting involved in an accident. These distracted driving accidents often have life-changing consequences, including claiming the lives of other people on the road. All it takes is looking away for a couple of seconds to increase your chances of getting seriously hurt. Driving distractions can include things like personal grooming, eating, drinking, using a GPS device, tuning a radio, watching a video or talking to someone on the phone. Texting while driving is a form of distracted driving that has grown in practice in recent years despite the fact that it is extremely dangerous. In fact, research shows that you are 23 more times likely to get into an accident while you are texting and driving than you would be if you were driving without a distraction. Many people assume that looking away for just a couple of seconds isn't serious enough to pose an accident risk but as any texting while driving accident victim can show you, this can change someone's life for the worse.

Drowsy Driving

You might assume that you simply need a cup of coffee or that you're close enough to home that it's okay to close your eyes behind the wheel or get distracted by how tired you are. Drowsy driving can claim the lives of others since you can cross the median and slam into other cars. Drivers who don't get enough sleep lose their judgment ability and their focus, making them much more likely to cause accidents. Drivers must get appropriate rest in order to remain alert and have fast reaction times behind the wheel. This can become extremely important when preventing an accident. Too often, drowsy driving accidents are dangerous and common and can be completely prevented by being well-rested before you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not be able to easily show that another driver was drowsy before getting involved in an accident but hiring the right personal injury lawyer can give you a better chance at gathering all of the evidence at the scene of the accident to make a compelling case.

Drunk Driving

Drugged and drunk driving are two common ways that accidents happen that can destroy the lives of other people. Both drugs and alcohol impede your judgment ability and reaction time. A person's motor skills are also seriously hampered as a result of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which is why both of these activities are illegal. Although there are criminal consequences for causing a drunk driving accident, this does not compensate the injured party for the damage sustained. This would need to be filed in a separate civil lawsuit by the victim to attempt to recover compensation.

Reckless Driving or Speeding

The way that a person operates a vehicle can also increase their chances of getting involved in an accident. Even things like road rage can get out of control and expose someone to unnecessary risk. Reckless driving and speeding are two common ways that accidents can occur. Reckless driving can include running through lights, tailgating, speeding, racing, weaving or other negligent actions that occur while driving. Reckless driving puts other drivers at risk because they have little to no opportunity to adapt their own driving as a result and could wind up in a serious car accident. Likewise, speed limits are in place to decrease the chances of accidents and to ensure that all drivers are moving at a safe enough speed given the surroundings. Speeding drivers don't have enough time to avoid a collision or to stop so those drivers who speed are doing so recklessly.

Most Common Kinds of Car Accidents

Car accidents can be classified by the type of injuries they provide, the way in which the cars collide with other objects or other vehicles, or the location of the accident. Some of the most common types of vehicle accidents include rear-end accidents, interstate accidents, construction accidents, head-on collisions, and side-impact accidents.

Some accidents are truly just accidents, but you could still retain the right to recover compensation as a victim. Depending on whether or not you live in a fault or a no-fault state, you may need to gather evidence that shows how the accident happened. You might find yourself overwhelmed with all the action stuff that needs to be taken after a vehicle accident, but speaking with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help prepare you for what to expect and for you to get a better understanding of your state laws. 

Unfortunately, far too many of the most common vehicle accidents are caused by another person who was not paying attention or who was not driving safely. This can leave you to suffer the consequences of figuring out how to move on with your life when you are unable to go back to work or suffering significant day-to-day pain. The most common kinds of car accidents can all be prevented, but this does not mean you should have to be the one to adapt your entire life after the fact as a victim. 

What if I Was Not Responsible?

As the victim of a vehicle accident, it is your responsibility to investigate the scope of your legal claim as soon as possible after you have been hurt. When looking for what to do after a vehicle accident, you are probably seeking to figure out auto accident injury case types, which do I fall under. Your personal injury lawyer can explain more to you about how this process works when you need to file a legal claim against your responsible party and help you to avoid some of the most common pitfalls and mistakes made by other drivers in these circumstances. You deserve to be educated about your rights and to protect your legal right to recover compensation since your lawsuit is possibly the only way for you to put the pieces of your life back together. 

What Kinds of Compensation Could I Receive? 

You may be entitled to receive compensation for the direct expenses you have incurred due to being in the accident as a starting point. For example, there's a good chance that you probably have extensive medical bills for treating your injuries and your medical conditions. These medical bills might continue for many months or years, and this information can all become part of your vehicle accident claim. You could also receive payments for lost wages and other expenses you had to incur because the accident changed your life. 

If you think you may have a legal claim for your injuries and are ready to learn more, you can contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to get started.