Highway Accidents
One of the most dangerous places to have a car accident is on a highway. If you or a loved one was injured on California Highway 1, State Route 68, US-101, or another busy roadway in Monterey, Salinas, or Santa Cruz, you need legal representation to help you demand the justice and compensation that you and your family deserve. Contact the Allen Law Firm today to take advantage of a free consultation.
What Makes Highways More Dangerous Than Other Roadways?
Highways and freeways provide essential routes from large cities, but they can be incredibly dangerous to traverse. They have higher speed limits and more traffic than other roadways. Additionally, many people use them to commute to and from work and other activities, leading to more traffic congestion.
Regularly commuting on freeways or highways increases the accident risk due to factors such as peak traffic, distractions, higher speeds, and driver fatigue.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents
Some driving behaviors that are associated with an increased risk of car crashes include the following:
- Speeding: Speeding makes it more likely that drivers will lose control of their vehicles and that serious injuries will result. Safety equipment like seatbelts and airbags are not as effective at higher speeds.
- Distractions: Highway drivers might be distracted by cell phones, other electronic devices, passengers, or other sources.
- Traffic congestion: Busy highways tend to have more traffic. With more motorists on the road, it’s more likely that auto accidents will occur.
- Aggressive driving: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that hard braking, swerving, and general congestion contribute to more accidents, all of which are common on highways.
- Driver fatigue: Many drivers travel on interstates and highways to get from one state to another. Truck drivers may be fatigued, as can those who are traveling for work or leisure.
- Driver impairment: Many drivers travel on interstates and highways to get from one state to another. Truck drivers may be fatigued, as can those who are traveling for work or leisure.
Devastating car accidents can also happen due to poor road conditions, inclement weather, inadequate signage, and bad lighting. Poorly maintained roads, potholes, and debris can also cause other car accidents. Defective products can sometimes cause tire blowouts, faulty brakes, or other mechanical failures that cause a crash. An experienced attorney can review your case and determine the factors that contributed to it.
Common Types of Highway Accidents
Highway accidents can take many forms, including the following:
- Single-vehicle accidents: Highway accidents can involve collisions with fixed objects, such as guardrails or trees. If a driver is speeding or has a defective auto part, these crashes can occur.
- Pileup accidents: Because many drivers travel on highways, when one crash occurs, nearby motorists may not have time to maneuver to avoid a crash. This can cause a chain reaction of crashes, injuring many motorists.
- Head-on crashes: Head-on accidents occur when vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide head-on. These crashes can result in traffic fatalities and severe injuries due to the speeds that the motorists are traveling or due to delayed reactions caused by driver fatigue, distraction, or impairment.
- T-bone collisions: T-bone accidents occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. These crashes are common at intersections or when one vehicle is turning left into oncoming traffic.
- Rear-end accidents: Rear-end crashes occur when a motorist hits the back of the vehicle in front of them. These accidents are usually more severe when they happen on highways because higher speeds are involved.
- Accidents with other road users: Highways may have other road users who can be injured in accidents, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Each type of collision comes with its own unique set of facts and legal issues, so it’s important to work with a car accident lawyer who has experience handling that specific type of collision.
Common Types of Highway Accident Injuries
Due to the speed involved in many highway accidents, serious injuries can often result, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries
- Fractured bones
- Severe burns
Highway accidents can also cause devastating psychological injuries, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Car accident victims may be afraid to drive or get in a vehicle. Sadly, many highway accidents result in death.
Financial Compensation You Can Recover After a Highway Accident
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be fairly compensated for the damages you sustained and to be restored to the position you were in before someone else’s conduct derailed your life. An experienced car accident attorney can identify the damages you can include as part of your personal injury claim and pursue fair compensation for them, such as:
- Medical expenses: You can seek compensation for the medical costs related to your injuries, including emergency medical treatment, surgery, hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medication, and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages: You can receive compensation for the income you lost while you were recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can also seek compensation for the long-term reductions in your earning potential, such as if you were forced to accept work at a lower-paying position or were permanently disabled due to the accident.
- Property damage: You can pursue compensation for the costs to repair your car. If those costs exceed your vehicle’s value, it could be considered a total loss, and you could be paid for a replacement vehicle.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: You may incur various expenses due to the accident that you can be reimbursed for, such as rental car fees, alternative forms of transportation, travel expenses to your medical appointments, and other costs you pay out of pocket. You can seek to be reimbursed for these unexpected expenses.
- Pain and suffering: Your car accident can cause you to suffer considerable physical pain and suffering. You may also endure mental anguish and emotional distress. You can seek fair compensation for these losses.
- Permanent disabilities and impairments: Some car accidents can cause permanent disabilities and impairments that affect victims’ everyday lives. A car accident attorney can ensure that these permanent effects are considered in your car accident settlement.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Car accidents can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement that affect a person’s self-esteem and self-image, for which they can seek compensation.
- Reduced quality of life: You may suffer a diminished quality of life or have your personal relationships with loved ones affected because of the accident and your injuries. You can pursue compensation for these damages.
Let us identify the damages available in your claim and fight for your fair recovery.
Evidence That Can Help in Highway Car Accident Cases
If you are injured in a car accident, you will need to show that the other driver was at fault to recover compensation because California is an at-fault state for car accidents. The driver responsible for causing the crash is responsible for paying for the damages that they caused. Additionally, you will need to show the damages that you suffered.
Some of the evidence that may help you prove your case includes:
- Accident reports: Police officers may have conducted an initial investigation after car crashes, which may indicate how the crash occurred and whether the other driver was cited.
- Photos and videos: The crash could have been recorded by traffic cameras, dashcams, or surveillance cameras. Pictures you took with your cell phone after the crash could also help paint a picture of how the crash occurred.
- Medical records: Your medical records can help link the accident and your injuries.
- Expert witness reports: In some cases, an accident reconstruction expert may use objective data to create a visual representation of how the accident occurred.
At the Allen Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers know how to identify, gather, and preserve evidence following a car accident.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Lawsuit in California?
Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. If you don’t file your personal injury case within this deadline, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation through the court system. Speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney is vital to protecting your legal rights.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a highway accident in California, you do not have to try to handle your personal injury case alone. A compassionate and dedicated personal injury lawyer from the Allen Law Firm can meet with you to discuss your case and guide you through the legal process of filing a personal injury claim to seek full and fair compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses. Contact us today to arrange a free case evaluation.
