Unsafe Road Conditions Leading to Car Accidents

Car Accidents Caused by Bad Road Conditions

Involved in an Accident because of Poor Road Conditions?

Even the best driver who pays particular attention to how they drive, ensuring speed limits are obeyed while they are behind the wheel, maintaining their car’s operability and adhering to traffic laws can run into trouble on the road that leads to accidents. Such trouble may be found in bad road conditions like potholes, deteriorating roads and missing guard rails. When an accident occurs because of these issues, who is liable for the accident?

Proving liability in cases of car accidents caused by poor road conditions can be very difficult. But an experienced personal injury attorney is able to help you ensure that liability and accountability fall on the responsible parties, instead of your own shoulders. Negligence of others should not result in you having to pay for injuries or damages. An auto accident and personal injury lawyer can help you gain compensation for these expenses from the people and businesses liable for your accident.

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Proving Road Conditions Caused Your Accident

To prove that road conditions are the cause of your auto accident, the following issues must be determined:

Determining Fault in a Car Accident

Who is at fault after a car accident?

When a car accident occurs, it is part of legal procedure to determine who is at fault. This also serves the insurance companies in the critical steps of filing an insurance claim or personal injury suit. Determination of fault plays a large role in the outcome of a personal injury case and associated claims.

The person or entity determined to be responsible for a motor vehicle accident is usually financially and legally responsible for damages and injuries suffered by others involved in the crash. One individual driver may be held accountable for these damages or multiple parties may be deemed at fault. When multiple parties are involved, damages may be divided between those parties according to their role in the accident.

Determining Fault: The Process

There are several principles applied in determination of fault. These usually help lead to clarification of blame or negligence in the accident, even when involved parties disagree about the circumstances of the wreck.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents According to Studies Shown

Distracted Teen on Cell Phone while Driving Causes Car Accident

Among the leading causes of death each year in the United States, auto accidents cost billions in damages and injuries. Medical expenses, medication, surgeries and treatment for victims of car accidents are part of those costs.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident or an auto accident resulted in death of a loved one, you need a Phoenix car accident lawyer who can help determine how much of these costs you are responsible for and how much another party may be required to pay due to negligence or responsibility in your auto accident. 

Auto Accident Statistics in Arizona

According to car accident statistics that were released by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), over 116,600 cars, trucks and motorcycles were involved in auto accidents in Arizona during 2015. There are many factors that lead to these auto accidents. But many causes are common from state to state. Quite frequently, car accidents can be prevented.

In 2012, there were over a staggering two million drivers and passengers who sustained injuries. Another 21,000 people suffered fatal injuries. This means that there were about 60 deaths from auto accidents each day that year. Sadly, many of these injuries and deaths could have been prevented.

A Mechanic Caused My Car Accident – What To Do?

Bad Mechanic Caused Car Accident

Have you recently had your car in for service, and it came back in worse condition than when you dropped it off? What if you dropped it off for service and came back to a transmission that was not working properly, but it was just fine when you gave it to them? What if a negligent mechanic caused an issue that lead to your car accident? Believe it or not, this sort of thing happens all the time. Of course, the mechanic will state that the vehicle has previous damages, but you wonder if you have any legal recourse to rectify this situation. It comes down to a "he-said-she-said" kind of war, but you do have options.

You need to decide what kind of claim you want to file in an attempt to get your car fixed. Having a car accident lawyer is imperative through this process, but the type of attorney you hire will be dependent upon the kind of claim you file. The burden of proof is on you, and you must prove to the courts that the auto shop was negligent and messed up your car. A knowledgeable legal representative can help to walk you through the legal elements and the cause of action that need to be established.

My Car has a Manufacturer Part Defect and it Caused a Crash

Defective car parts can lead to car accidents - Speak with an injury lawyer if you are a victim of manufacturer defect

Today's automobiles are much safer than ever before. Technology, devices and equipment ensure passengers and drivers are well-protected. Seat belts, road and vehicle condition monitoring computers, crumple zones, airbags and warning indicators help drivers avoid accidents, also protecting everyone in the vehicle when a crash happens.

But sometimes those protective systems fail. Like any equipment, technology or mechanical device, these systems can be defective due to improper manufacturing or faulty installation. When people "soup up" their car using aftermarket additions, those may also interfere with the vehicle's safety or performance.

Hit With Sudden Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

Unexpected High Medical Bills After a Car Accident

After even a minor car accident, medical bills can quickly pile up. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report, unpaid medical debt is a problem for 20 percent of Americans.

A spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Bruce McClary, said, "The stress of this debt is overwhelming to many people. Often, consumers just shut down due to fear and anxiety associated with getting collection letters in the mail."

The American Journal of Medicine published a study in 2009 showing that over 60 percent of all bankruptcies are at least partially related to medical expenses. This is the case, even though the vast majority of those who filed for bankruptcy had health insurance.

A recent survey by Bankrate.com verified this through their findings, also showing that over 60 percent of Americans are unable to cover unexpected medical expenses, even when costs are as low as $500 or $1000. Despite health insurance, leftover costs are most often not manageable.

Causes of Truck Rollover Accidents

Rollover Semi Truck Accident

Many fatal truck accidents are the result of vehicle rollovers. When a semi-truck rolls over, other vehicles in its path are unable to stand up to the truck’s size and weight. Trucks often swing across the roadway, as well. This can sweep aside vehicles in its path. Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report shows a decline in deaths of large truck / semi trucks occupants over the last 20+ years. 

But many truck rollover accidents are actually preventable. They may be prevented by understanding their causes and adjusting driver behaviors or other factors to prevent the catastrophic results of truck rollover accidents.

When a rollover accident involving a truck occurs, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced rollover truck accident attorney. Such an attorney can investigate the accident and develop a case for victim compensation for injuries or other damages.