Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you have ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you know what a traumatic and life-altering experience it can be. Effects can linger well beyond the initial crash – pain, the need for physical therapy, anxiety, depression, and missing work, to name a few. Seeking recourse cannot undo what happened, but it can help with mounting bills.
Likewise, nothing can bring back a loved one who dies in a motor vehicle accident. Data from the National Safety Council reveals that motor vehicle accidents took the lives of nearly 39,000 people in 2019. Many of these lives lost resulted from no fault of their own but rather from the actions of distracted drivers or people operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s simply not fair, and the deceased and their survivors deserve some semblance of justice.
Whether the situation involves wrongful death or personal injuries sustained as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, seeking expert counsel can be in your best interest. Legal Help Services offers free evaluation of potential claims surrounding motor vehicle accidents.
Common reasons behind motor vehicle lawsuits
Many car accidents result from drivers in a hurry who make hasty movements. Other crashes involve people behind the wheel who for one reason or another are not giving the road their full attention.
While not an exhaustive list, motor vehicle accident lawsuits often stem from situations involving one of the following:
- Distracted driving – someone dividing concentration between vehicle operation and another activity such as texting, talking on a cell phone, applying make-up, eating, changing the radio station, or conversing with passengers in the car
- Drunk driving – a person taking the wheel despite impaired judgment due to intoxication
- Speeding – an individual driving in excess of the posted speed limit or going too fast for conditions such as inclement weather or construction work
- Reckless driving – the person behind the wheel performing unsafe actions such as changing lanes too quickly, running red lights or stop signs, disobeying lane markers, backing up without looking, or ignoring pedestrian crosswalks
Conditions experienced as the result of a car accident
In 2019, roughly 4.4 million people were injured seriously enough in a car crash to require medical attention, according to the National Safety Council. Some injuries are apparent immediately, while others may not surface for days or weeks afterward.
Among the most frequent injuries doctors report seeing following a motor vehicle accident are:
- Whiplash resulting from the neck “whipping” back and forth rapidly when a car stops or turns suddenly
- Concussion from a blow to the head
- Broken bones (especially in the feet, legs, hands, and arms) and musculoskeletal injuries (damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nerves) from the force of impact
People involved in motor vehicle accidents also frequently experience emotional problems. They may suffer from depression, anxiety, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Sleeping can be difficult due to nightmares or replaying the event over and over in one’s head. Concentration levels may plummet, causing problems at work or in performing daily tasks.
Physical and psychological problems from a motor vehicle accident often improve within a few weeks. However, some injuries are more severe and can take quite a bit of time to heal, if ever.
Making the best recovery possible requires effort and resources. By pairing you with an expert used to navigating complex legal matters, Legal Help Services can work on seeking the compensation you need. And with a professional handling the case details, you’ll be able to focus on the most important thing – your health.
