Automobile Accident Attorney Scottsdale AZ
Automobile Accident Attorney Scottsdale AZ
In today’s hustle and bustle world, it seems many Arizona residents are frequently in a rush to get from one place to the other. Whether it’s work, family, or social commitments, there just never seems to be enough hours in the day. Unfortunately, this also means that many people tend to speed things up when they are behind the wheel of their vehicle in an effort to get to where they need to be. A Scottsdale AZ automobile accident attorney knows that not only does speeding increase a person’s risk of being involved in a crash, it also increases the risk that they will be seriously injured or killed in that accident because of the force of impact.
Speeding occurs when a driver travels over the posted speed limit, driving too fast for bad weather or road conditions, through road construction, and through school zones. According to national statistics, speeding is the cause of more than one-third of all crashes and the resulting injuries. Speeding is also responsible for about 10,000 deaths each year.
Some drivers only speed when they are running light or stuck in traffic, while other drivers speed because of the “thrill” of driving fast. There are even drivers who speed because of an arrogance that the laws do not apply to them.
Regardless of why a driver speeds, it can still have the same consequences. When a driver is going faster, any response time needed for changes in traffic or road conditions requires a faster response time. There are also spikes in the risk that the driver will lose control of their vehicle. When a driver is speeding it reduces the effectiveness of any vehicle safety systems, such as seat belts, and also reduces the effectiveness of child safety seats. Combine all this with the severe impact of a crash at high speeds and the risk of death and catastrophic injuries skyrockets for speeders. An automobile accident attorney in Scottsdale AZ can help victims pursue a lawsuit for the losses their crash injuries have caused.
What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk?
Although there is no controlling what other drivers do, there are steps that you can take to help decrease your risk of being involved in a speed-related crash. A Scottsdale AZ automobile accident attorney recommends the following tips:
- Make sure to allow yourself enough time to reach your destination so you aren’t feeling pressured to drive faster than you should.
- Adjust your speed based on traffic, road, and weather conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.
- Make sure to stay alert for any changes in posted speed limit signs
- Let speeding or aggressive drivers pass you instead of being intimidated into increasing your own speed
4 Common Reasons for Car Accidents
Cars are important. They take us to and from school, work, recreational activities and a lot of other events we have in our lives. Because there are so many cars on the road, there are a lot of car accidents. The following are four common reasons drivers get in car accidents.
- Distracted Driving
A high percentage of car accidents are the result of distracted driving. Anything you engage in while driving your car, besides the actual driving, is considered a distraction. This would include changing your radio station, eating, talking on your phone, replying to a text, turning to talk with your passengers, reconfiguring your GPS and other similar actions.
- Speeding
When someone regards being on time as more important than obeying the speed limit, there’s a possibility people will get hurt. Speed limits aren’t just suggestions and they weren’t created by pulling a random number out of a hat. They are carefully thought through with the safety of everyone as a top priority. Most people speed when they’re worried they’ll be late, are getting impatient with traffic, are experiencing road rage or are under the influence of alcohol. These are all great reasons to stay off the road, ask someone else to drive, take public transportation or give yourself extra time to get somewhere.
- Drifting
When a driver drifts from his or her own lane into another, the situation is bound to cause an accident. This sometimes happens when someone is driving while fatigued, while under the influence or while distracted by something. There are other drifting situations that could be out of the driver’s control, such as avoiding an object in the road or experiencing a blown tire.
- Driving Under the Influence
Too high a percentage of drivers are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and everyone knows it’s dangerous. People drive under the influence because they aren’t thinking straight, are worried about missing a curfew or don’t want to get caught doing something they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, the opposite often happens when they end up in car accidents.
Contacting a Lawyer When You Need One
If you were in a car accident, it could be due to one of these common reasons. In any case, a car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities that arise out of your accident. Contact a lawyer today so you can get started with the legal process of recovering compensation.
Automobile Accident Law Firm Scottsdale AZ
Unfortunately, car accidents are far too common. These incidents have many causes. Road conditions, weather, and mechanical failure were once the main causes of collisions. Nowadays, most car collisions occur because one or more people were not acting responsibly. Fatalities can occur too, especially when victims are not wearing seatbelts or if one or more vehicles were going at high speeds. This is a tough reality to confront, partially because even minor car wrecks can cause serious injuries and partially because there is only so much anyone can do to influence a person’s approach to their driving responsibilities.
If you have been injured in a collision, please know that you can potentially hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm you have suffered. Similarly, if you have lost a loved one as a result of a car wreck, you may be able to hold responsible parties accountable for the loss of your loved one. In a wrongful death lawsuit, both compensatory and punitive damages may be warranted. Please consider contacting an automobile accident law firm Scottsdale, AZ residents trust today to explore your options. Speaking with the experienced team at Yearin Law Office will not obligate you to take legal action – doing so will simply allow you to make an informed decision about the options available to you and your family.
Determining Fault
If you believe someone else caused the accident that led to your family member’s death, speak with a Scottsdale, AZ automobile accident law firm about your concerns. You don’t have to know the cause(s) of the accident for sure to explore your options. Your lawyer can review your case to determine what “next steps” you may want to consider. Our team will evaluate whether the other driver was negligent or driving recklessly and/or whether any alternative factors ultimately influenced the situation surrounding the crash.
Suing for Compensatory Damages
Our Scottsdale, AZ automobile accident law firm may be able to help you seek compensation for the medical costs of trying to revive or care for your loved one. These could include surgeries, medications, hospital stays or medical equipment. You may also sue for damages to cover funeral and burial costs, and the loss of income your loved one would have earned. Emotional suffering such as the loss of enjoyment, love, and companionship may also be part of the damages you seek.
What About Punitive Damages
In personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, punitive damages seek to punish the offending party for his or her wrongdoing. Many states do not allow a plaintiff to seek punitive damages in a car accident case. For those states that do, you and your attorney will have to show gross negligence on the other person’s part. For example, if you can prove that the other driver was deliberately trying to hurt or kill your loved one, punitive damages may be on the table. Another example would be if the other party had consumed alcohol far above the legal limit, rendering the person incapacitated behind the wheel.
It is good to understand how a wrongful death lawsuit works when thinking about whether or not to file one. Every case is different, so please don’t make assumptions about your situation before consulting our Scottsdale, Arizona automobile accident law firm.
Call an Automobile Accident Attorney Scottsdale AZ for Help
If, despite your best efforts, you are injured in a crash caused by a speeding driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Contact Yearin Law Office today to schedule a free consultation with an automobile accident attorney Scottsdale AZ clients turn to and find out what legal options you may have.