CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS
There were an estimated 6,756,000 traffic accidents and 36,096 deaths in 2019. Most of these crashes were preventable and occurred due to auto negligence. In fact, according to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), around 98% of road accidents are caused by human error.
Most people don’t realize that when operating a vehicle, a driver owes other road users a legal duty of care. That means they are legally required to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. When they fail to do this, injured victims may hold them accountable for their negligent actions.
If you believe a driver’s auto negligence led to your car wreck, it’s wise to consider speaking to an experienced lawyer to help you understand how negligence works in personal injury cases. At Nix Patterson, our legal team is ready to dive into the facts of your case and determine whether there is any form of auto negligence.
Cornell Law School describes negligence as a “failure to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances.”
In cases of federal and state traffic laws, this means that drivers are required to be reasonably careful and cautious while on the road to avoid harming pedestrians, passengers, and other drivers. If a driver fails to be reasonably careful and cautious, the driver is said to be “negligent.” And if the driver’s negligence harms someone else on the road, the driver can be held liable in court for the injuries and other losses that result.
All drivers operating their vehicles on highways or streets need to pay attention to other road users and obey all traffic laws. This ensures they don’t endanger the lives and well-being of other individuals.
Some of the responsibilities that motorists on our roads have include:
There are many ways motorists can fail to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and be considered negligent. Negligence may occur as a result of unintentional or intentional driver decisions. Some common examples of automobile negligence include:
Around 3,000 people die every year due to crashes involving distracted driving, with around nine people dying every day. These distractions that lead to accidents fall into three categories: manual, visual, and cognitive distractions. Common forms of driving distractions include:
Every day, roughly 32 people die due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes, with approximately 11,654 people losing their lives in 2020.
The federal limit to legally operate motor vehicles is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes a stricter 0.04% BAC limit for commercial motor vehicles like commercial trucks.
Every year, roughly 100,000 drowsy driving crashes are reported, with around 800 fatalities and around 50,000 injuries. Fatigued driving is dangerous since it affects reaction times and awareness. You are three times more likely to cause a car accident if you are drowsy.
Driving too fast on the road makes it harder to control a vehicle, risking catastrophic injuries. Speeding also requires more distance for a vehicle to stop, which could lead to head-on or rear-end collisions.
Other types of driver negligence include:
In the civil litigation process, the plaintiff (the person who files a lawsuit) bears the burden of successfully proving negligence. To do so, you should work with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you establish the four primary elements of a negligence case:
The defendant had a duty of care to protect other road users from unreasonable harm. For example, all drivers have a duty not to be distracted while driving because it is unreasonably dangerous to drive while distracted. Or, as another example, all semi-truck drivers must abide by the FMCSA’s hours of service regulations because it is dangerous for truck drivers to be fatigued from lack of sleep.
The liable party violated their duty of care. Continuing with the examples above, a driver breaches the duty not to be distracted if she is texting while driving. And, a commercial truck driver who operated his vehicles for over 11 hours after only 6 consecutive hours off duty breaches their duty of care.
The defendant’s breach was a direct and proximate cause of injuries to the plaintiff. Here, the defendant’s breach led to the victim’s catastrophic injuries. Many people text and drive, and some get away with it without harming others. But if a driver crosses the center line and causes a head-on collision because she was texting and driving, then the causation element of a negligence case is met.
The victim suffered losses due to the liable party’s negligent acts or failure to act. These losses included personal injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries, as well as property damage, such as a totalled car. Damages a plaintiff may recover in a negligence lawsuit include:
Yes. After an accident, a personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and interests. Here’s how the attorneys at Nix Patterson can help you after a car accident:
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers believe that if you or your loved one has suffered injuries caused by the negligence of another driver, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of your medical bills or any other accident-related expenses.
Our lawyers will represent you throughout the entire litigation process, giving you ample time to focus on your own health and recovery. We will also offer comprehensive legal counsel on the best options for your case.
To learn more about how we can help you with your specific case, please contact us today at 512-328-5333. Our lawyers will answer any questions you may have regarding automobile negligence. Get started now. Your consultation is free. We are here to help.
Nix Patterson only works on a contingency fee basis. Our clients pay us nothing unless we win. Schedule a free consultation today. Call 512.328.5333 or complete the form below.
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The information on this site is for informational purposes only. Though it deals with legal issues, it should not be taken as legal advice for any specific case or situation. The law changes rapidly, and we make no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy or reliability of the content or links on this site. Every case and legal issue is different. Speak with a lawyer for specific advice.
This site is not intended to create, and viewing it does not create, an attorney-client relationship. The verdicts and settlements shown on this site are intended to be representative of cases Nix Patterson handles. These listings are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of any other cases or claim. Results in litigation can never be guaranteed.
La información contenida en este sitio tiene únicamente fines informativos. Aunque trata de cuestiones jurídicas, no debe tomarse como asesoramiento jurídico para ningún caso o situación específicos. La legislación cambia rápidamente y no garantizamos la exactitud o fiabilidad de los contenidos o enlaces de este sitio. Cada caso y asunto jurídico es diferente. Hable con un abogado para obtener asesoramiento específico.
Este sitio no pretende crear, y su consulta no crea, una relación abogado-cliente. Los veredictos y acuerdos mostrados en este sitio pretenden ser representativos de los casos que maneja Nix Patterson. Estos listados no son una garantía o predicción del resultado de cualquier otro caso o reclamación. Los resultados en litigios nunca pueden ser garantizados.
