According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 6.5 million reported traffic collisions occurred in the United States in 2017. These accidents caused over 2.5 million injuries and over 37,000 fatalities. The NHTSA summarizes that an accident caused a fatality every 14 minutes, and five people suffered injury each minute of that year.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a car accident, you know firsthand how the devastating consequences can affect your life. A National Public Radio (NPR) article notes that human error accounts for 94% of all car accidents, especially with the rise of distracted driving.
Unfortunately, these preventable accidents cause injuries and fatalities every day, leaving individuals and their families struggling physically, emotionally, and financially. While you do not need a lawyer after a car accident, having one to help you handle the intricacies of your case and represent you in court may help relieve the burden of filing a claim by yourself.
A Lawyer Can Help You Determine Liability
Proving responsibility for the accident can create one of the first obstacles to pursuing your case on your own. States have different laws regarding liability. Drivers in no-fault states use their own insurance policies to cover their injuries.
Insurance companies do not like to cut into their profits, so they may undervalue your injuries or attempt to settle with you right away before you have had a chance to realize the impact of your losses. Getting a lawyer after a car accident can help you pursue legal action while you focus on your recovery.
Who Can Hold Responsibility for Your Accident
Establishing responsibility for your accident relies on determining the negligent party or parties in the situation. For example, if a drunk driver caused your accident by running a red light, that driver may be responsible for your accident. In some cases, shared fault can occur.
Another Driver
If you suffered injuries in an accident that you did not cause, you can hold the other driver accountable for negligence or unlawful act that caused your injuries. As human error causes the majority of all accidents, claims against other drivers occur regularly, and attorneys can help victims pursue financial recovery for the losses they experienced as a result of their collision.
A Vehicle Manufacturer
While failure to keep up with routine maintenance can account for some vehicle defects, others result from poor manufacturing processes. Vehicle manufacturers regularly issue recalls that allow consumers to have hazardous defects fixed at no charge, but it often takes a vehicle owner suffering an accident caused by the defect for the manufacturer to recognize and correct the issue. Drivers can contact a lawyer after a car accident to help them determine if they have a products liability case.
A Government Agency
We all pay taxes to ensure the safety of our public areas, such as schools, parks, and roads. State and local governments have an obligation to maintain the integrity of our highways, interstates, city streets, and rural roads, and when they fail to do so, accidents can occur. If a roadway hazard, such as deteriorated pavement or missing guardrails, caused you to suffer injuries in a car accident, you can potentially hold a government agency responsible for their negligence.
An Attorney Can Help You Seek Financial Awards
When you suffer an injury or the loss of a loved one in a car accident, your losses may fall under more than one category. An attorney can help you determine the types of awards that apply to your circumstances and assist you in seeking a just amount.
Economic Losses
Some of the compensation you may qualify for includes economic damages. This refers to those tangible damages that can easily be quantified and the value does not change depending on the jury evaluating them such as medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, property damage, and lost wages.
Noneconomic Losses
While a certain amount may cover your bills, the impact of the accident on your emotional well-being does not have a price tag. Calculations for this type of compensation vary based on personal circumstances but may include pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium.
Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ Today
Car accidents often cause lasting injuries with effects that linger long after they occur. When accidents cause the loss of a spouse, child, or other loved one, that pain multiplies. Our attorneys know that financial compensation cannot take away your suffering; however, seeking the recovery you deserve can help you cover your bills, make up for time you lost at work, and help you care for yourself and your family.
If you want to learn what a car accident lawyer can do for you, D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ can help. Contact us today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case evaluation with our legal team.
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