Types of Negligence Found in Car Accidents

negligence case

It is said that to err is human but if that error was a failure to exercise reasonable care while driving, then it is an act of negligence. Reasonable care is what a reasonably prudent person would do in the same circumstances. Driving kills thousands of U.S. citizens every year. A reasonably prudent person would exercise the greatest care when engaged in such a dangerous activity. This person would dedicate 100 percent of his focus to driving safely and observe all traffic laws.

Negligence can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Actions that divert the driver’s focus from the road are acts of negligence. These include, eating and drinking, operating devices such as a cell phone or radio, grooming, reading, texting, looking at scenery or rubbernecking traffic accidents.

Driving a car when you are not in an alert state of mind is another form of negligence. Drowsiness, inebriation, extreme fatigue, medications, daydreaming or intense mental focus on something other than driving means you are not alert to the task at hand which is safely driving your car. Podcasts and audio books also divert the mind away from driving.

Actions that interfere with your ability to see and hear are negligent. This is why you should wear glasses if vision requirements for operating your vehicle specify their use.

Another action that a reasonably prudent person would not do is allow an unfit person to drive his car. This could be someone who lost their license because of reckless driving or children who are too young to drive. You could be held responsible for any accidents caused by an unfit person because allowing them to use your car is considered an act of negligence.

An additional type of negligence is improper maintenance that diminishes the functionality of your car. Bald or under inflated tires, worn brakes, burned out headlights or brake lights, as well as a non functional horn or windshield wipers can all result in an accident. Operating your car under these conditions subjects yourself and others on the road to risk of physical harm.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Corona, CA

Have you been involved in a car accident in Corona? Were you seriously injured? Are you unsure if you can afford medical treatment for your injuries? You don’t need to worry. A car accident lawyer at Silverthorne Attorneys can help you during this difficult time. As a commuter city, Corona has hectic rush hours with lots of traffic coursing through on the nearby freeways and roadways.

Suffering from injuries? Contact a car accident lawyer today!

We have investigators close to Corona and we can meet you at your home to discuss the details of your accident. We will then take care of your medical billing questions and issues as we negotiate your case with the insurance company. You can take your time to recover and regain your health once again. Car accident injuries can include whiplash, bruising, broken bones or spinal cord injuries. You may need long-term treatment that involves physical therapy, missing work and expensive procedures to heal the injuries you incurred during your Corona car accident. While you are trying to heal from your Corona car accident case, Silverthorne Attorneys can take care of the rest so you don’t have to worry. You shouldn’t have to suffer alone, limiting your medical care to avoid racking up huge bills.

Suffering from injuries due to an accident is never your fault. The time after your accident is a time for healing. And that is what a car accident lawyer at Silverthorne Attorneys wants to help you with. We are here to make sure you get the treatment you deserve. As your car accident lawyer, we will deal with insurance adjusters. We know all too well the tactics they use in order to either deny your claim or offer you a settlement that is far less than what you deserve.

Contact a car accident lawyer at Silverthorne Attorneys to discuss your case. Consultations are free!

Evidence Helps Your Car Accident Claim

Two important things that must be established after a car accident are who was at fault and the extent of the damages. This cannot be determined without evidence. If you are in a condition to do so, gather as much evidence as you can at the accident scene. This is important because any legal claim you make will rely on the evidence at hand. Below, our car accident lawyer, put together the different evidence you should try to gather after your accident.

Photographs

If you have a camera, take pictures of the cars as they are at the scene from several angles. Close ups and photos from a distance should also be taken. Multiple photos are important because it is difficult to know which angles will best show the accident scene. Take photos of traffic signs, traffic lights, skid marks, and the intersection if applicable. Some photos of the cars should indicate positioning while others should indicate damage to the cars. A lot can be deduced from both types of photos.

Contact Information Of Drivers And Witnesses

Do not leave it to the police to get contact information of the other drivers and witnesses. Exchanging contact information with the other drivers is a normal part of accident protocol. Write down any statement made by witnesses about the accident.

Medical Records

It is extremely important to get medical treatment immediately after an accident. For serious injuries this is a no-brainer but the pain of some injury types take a while to manifest. Medical treatment is important for health reasons and the resulting records will be needed as evidence. Your doctors should indicate in their reports that your injuries were caused solely by the accident.

The Police Report

The police will write a report containing the basic details of the accident scene such as a diagram of the positions of the cars, notes of any citations issued, and witness contact information. It will also include notes about injuries, damage to the cars, statements from occupants of the cars and witnesses, weather, road conditions, and factors that contributed to the accident. Make sure that you get a copy of the report from the police station.

Receipts And Invoices

Make copies of receipts and invoices for car repair, replacement or repair of damaged property, medical bills, physical therapy and other services, and items such as crutches, wheelchairs, etc.

In Need of a Car Accident Lawyer? Contact us Today!

As a car accident lawyer, we know that the time after your accident is stressful. That is why we are here to help. We want to take the burden of the case off of your shoulders. We believe, as a car accident lawyer, that this time should be dedicated to healing and getting your life back on track. Your car accident lawyer will never side with the insurance companies. We have years of experience dealing with them. We know they will do everything in their power to make this time very difficult for you.

Contact us at Silverthorne Attorneys and let us put our experience to work for you. Consultations are free!

Corona Car Accident Facts About Pile-Ups

Accidents involving three or more cars are referred to as car pile-ups or chain reaction accidents. They are very dangerous because a car may absorb multiple impacts each of which can cause serious harm and damage. During these multiple impacts, a car may get hit from several angles. Including from the side where the passengers have the least protection. Because several cars are involved, determining fault in a chain reaction Corona car accident can be a very complex process.

Chain reaction accidents often happen because of poor driving conditions caused by bad weather. However, pile-ups can also occur when driving conditions are ideal. This is because some motorists tend to drive more aggressively and at higher speeds.

Causes Of Car Pile-Ups

The most common reasons for this type of accident are inattention, driving too close to the car in front and failing to compensate for poor driving conditions. When a driver is not paying attention, there is little or no time to react to a sudden slowdown of traffic. Reduced reaction time also results from following a car too closely.

Factors that contribute to the occurrence of car pile-ups include:

  • Poor visibility caused by fog, snow, smoke, dust, and rain.
  • Poor road conditions caused by the weather, road construction, and poor road maintenance.
  • Mechanical deficiencies such as worn brake pads, under inflated tires, and burned-out brake lights.
  • Impaired judgment and reaction time due to intoxication or drowsiness.

Types of Car Pile-Ups

A car pile-up can be initiated by a vehicle traveling at high speeds. One that collides into cars stopped at an intersection from behind. This causes cars at the rear to successively push up against the cars in front. Alternatively, a chain of moving cars can pile up when the lead car collides into a stopped or slow moving car.

There are many variations to the above types of pile-ups. In a chain of three cars, the third car can collide with the second car which gets pushed into the first car. Another variation of this is when the second car collides with the first car which is followed by the third car colliding with the second car.

Determining Fault

Determining fault in car pile-ups can be very complex, especially in those involving many cars. In the three car example above, when the third car initiates the pileup by striking the second car which in turn gets pushed into the first, the third car is likely to be found at fault. On the other hand, if the second car strikes the first car and this is followed by the third car striking the second car, fault will probably be found with the second and third cars.

How to Avoid Car Pile-Ups

Alert and defensive driving is your best strategy to avoid this type of accident. This means allowing enough space between you and the car in front of you so that there is plenty of time to slow down without violent braking. This distance must be increased when road conditions are poor. Avoiding a pileup means not colliding with the car in front as well as not being hit by the car behind you.

Are you suffering from injuries? Contact an accident lawyer today!

If you have been involved in a chain reaction accident, Silverthorne Attorneys can help. Our experienced attorneys will get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for more information.