The fast-growing real estate market in Elk Grove has led to the city's population boom in the last two decades. The growing population means more traffic on roads. This has evidently led to a rise in reports of auto accidents in the town. Nevertheless, the surprising and displeasing fact is that the increase in accidents isn't necessarily due to the increase of motorists on the road. Rather, reckless, careless, and negligent driving is the number one cause. Failure by motorists to obey simple traffic rules has led to dozens of car accident injuries and fatalities in Elk Grove.
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATIONMajor Causes of Car Accident in Elk Grove, California
Almost a thousand people are injured or killed annually in car accidents in Elk Grove, CA. Most of these car wrecks happen at intersections, where failure to follow traffic rules is likely to lead to a collision. Some notable causes of car accidents include:
Driving Under Influence
Alcohol or drugs can dangerously impair the driver’s ability to drive safely. The chemicals tamper with the motorist’s vision, alertness, and general coordination and undesirably impair their judgment. In California, driving under the influence is a serious offense. Elk Grove personal injury lawyers and car accident attorneys may help you get paid for injuries and other damages caused by a drunk driver.
Distractions and Fatigue
Drivers are supposed to be attentive and alert at all times while behind the wheel. Getting distracted for even a few seconds can lead to serious consequences. For instance, using a smartphone to text, watch short videos, or scroll through social media posts can negatively impact a driver’s cognitive coordination.
On the other hand, driving for long hours or sleepy driving may impair the cognition ability of the driver. While it might be tricky to prove, an experienced car accident lawyer in Elk Grove may be able to review your case and prove the at-fault motorist was distracted or drowsy.
Speeding
Speeding vehicles cause severe car accident injuries due to the massive kinetic energy released by the sudden stopping of the car. Driving over the speed limit has been reported to cause almost a third of all car accidents. If a speeding vehicle injures you, filing a personal injury claim against the speeding driver may help you recover back some of the medical expenses and other accident-related damages.
Other common causes of car accidents may include:
- Defective car or car parts
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes
- Careless pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles
- Animals crossing the road
When the negligent party is the car/car parts manufacturer or authorities responsible for road safety, the car accident lawyers at Kash Law may advise you to file a civil lawsuit against them.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Elk Grove?
Immediately after the accident, call 911 to get emergency medical attention and the police to arrive at the scene. Don’t be tempted to dismiss the injuries as minor and thus leave. This is because some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, and leaving the scene of an accident might be considered a misdemeanor, not to mention the risk of jeopardizing your rights to compensation. After this:
- Record the personal information of other drivers and/or other vehicle occupants or persons involved in the accident
- Cooperate with the police when they ask questions, but don’t give out information that might indicate you accept the responsibility for the accident
- If safe and in good condition, take photos and videos of the accident scene
- After the emergency medical care at the accident scene, it’s prudent to further be checked by your regular medical provider for hidden injuries
- Obtain the police accident report when it’s ready
Importantly, you should be sure to call an experienced Elk Grove car accident lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. Technically, the responsible party or insurance companies may try to solicit you to accept quick settlements. However, taking any monetary payment means giving away your right to file a claim further. Filing the claim through a personal injury attorney stands a better chance for better results.
Filing an Elk Grove Car Accident Insurance Claim
In most cases, the at-fault driver insurance policy is the one that pays for the victim’s injuries and damages. Compensation may include economic damages such as medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses the plaintiff incurs or will incur in the future due to the accident.
Non-economic compensation, such as pain and suffering, loss of joy in life, and other emotional agonies caused by accidents, are also taken into account. In California, the amount of compensation depends on these factors, as well as whether or how much the claimant was liable for the accident.
Contact Skilled Elk Car Accident Lawyer at Kash Legal
Car accidents can cause permanent physical disability, emotional distress, and loss of life. We know it can never be the same after a car accident. Although this is the case, the car accident attorneys may support you to get some relief by helping you recover some of the expenses, damages, and loss of income following a car accident in Elk Grove.
At Kash Legal, we don’t ask for payment unless we win your case. What motivates us is the urge to help accident victims get compensated for injuries. Contact us online or call us at (888) 527-4128 for a free consultation.
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