Car Accidents
Accidents can happen despite your best efforts to drive responsibly and stay safe on the roads.
In the United States, there are an average of 6 million car accidents per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two million people per year experience permanent injuries in car accidents. More than 90 people die in car accidents every day in the U.S.
Major Causes of Car Accidents
Most car accidents are caused by the following:
- Use of alcohol
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving is a significant problem and was reported in 1 in 5 crashed where people were injured. Distracted driving includes using a cell phone, texting while driving, eating and drinking, doing make-up or shaving, and other activities that take your eyes off the road. Distracted driving kills more than nine people every day. You are 23 times more likely to crash while texting and driving, yet despite these horrific odds, 1 in 3 people still text and drive. More than 40% of teens report having been in a car where the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger.
- Drowsy driving has been proven to be more dangerous than drunk driving, yet more than half of all drivers admit to driving when tired, and 30% confess to nodding off when driving.
What to do if you have been in a car accident
It is essential to stay as calm as possible. Do not leave the scene. Assess if there were any injuries, and if so, call the authorities for assistance. Make sure there is ample warning for approaching motorists and move to a safe spot if there are no injuries.
Gather as much evidence as you possibly can, get the other driver(s)’ name, address, license number, and insurance information, also the names and addresses of witnesses.
Do not apologize to anyone and do not accept blame or sign anything. If you have a smartphone on you, video the scene around the accident or take photographs, of all sides of the cars, the road, traffic signs and lights, the weather and record witness statements if possible. Accident scenes are chaotic, and due to the stress of the situation, you may have trouble remembering details later so record as much as you can. Seek immediate medical attention – for example, a whiplash injury may not be evident immediately at the scene.
Call a car accident lawyer such as Alex Bonilla as soon as you can, to get advice on additional information needed and steps to follow. You may have a claim for damages. Protect your rights as quickly as possible.
Legal Claims
Car accidents fall under negligence claims, and you will have to prove duty of care, breach of duty, causality, and actual damages. There may be additional California state rules that affect your insurance claims. Your contribution to fault and statements made can all influence the outcome of the litigation.
Alex Bonilla is an experienced car accident lawyer who can assist you with protecting your rights in the event of a car accident, call 415-761-3171 for a no-obligation consultation. Alex Bonilla will handle everything on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. We never charge a fee unless we win your case.