Mishaps of all kinds happen every day and in every place on Earth. Car accidents are some of the most common accidents that cause injuries and can leave victims with lasting negative effects. In the state of New York, car accidents are the fourth leading cause of injury-related deaths. On average, 1,098 New York State Residents lose their lives every year due to traffic-related injuries.
Whether temporary injuries or permanent disability occur as a result of a car accident, it is crucial to decide who is at fault and what prompted the accident.
If you’ve been injured by the fault of someone else, don’t wait to initiate your case in order to receive the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Causes in New York
There are seemingly endless reasons why people become involved in car accidents. For personal injury claims, knowing the cause of the accident is significant. The following are various car accident causes:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Texting while driving
- Tailgating
- Unfavorable weather conditions
- An animal or some other obstacle in the road
- Distracted driving
- Mechanical missteps
- Reckless driving
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Dangerous lane changes
- Road rage
Speeding & Driving Under the Influence
Speeding is rarely necessary, but it is always dangerous. Similarly, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is always avoidable. New Yorkers who are involved in speed-related or alcohol-involved accidents are more often medically diagnosed with serious injuries.
Not only that, but these types of accidents are also financially costlier. Speed and alcohol-related car accidents result in some of the loftiest hospitalization costs amidst those who are injured in crashes.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving comes in several forms, but they can all be lumped into one of three categories:
- Cognitive distraction – This occurs when your brain isn’t concentrated on driving. An example of this is when your thoughts are preoccupied with family, personal, or work-related concerns. You may even become distracted by listening to the radio or a podcast because the audio can take your attention away from driving and you may lose awareness of what’s happening around you.
- Visual distraction – You are visually distracted when you look anywhere other than the road. One example is looking down at your GPS device or checking your child’s safety restraint.
- Manual distraction – You become manually distracted when you remove one or both of your hands from the steering wheel. For example, you are manually distracted when you eat or drink while driving, as well as attempting to reach something out of the back seat.
Texting while driving involves all three of these distractions, which makes it especially dangerous and should always be avoided.
Deciding Which Accident Type Fits Your Situation
You want to make sure you attain the most relevant and experienced attorney for your personal injury case. For that reason, it does matter what kind of car accident you were involved in. In order to find the best lawyer for your circumstances, you must first decide which type of accident best fits your situation.
Each New York law firm specializes in one area of the law or another, so you’ll need to decide which legal focus your case falls under. When you come to a conclusion regarding which type of accident best fits your situation, it would be wise to contact an attorney who has a successful track record in that area of the law.
If you have been involved in a car accident that another person caused by one of the aforementioned reasons and it resulted in an injury to you, you may be entitled to compensation. The accident attorneys at The Odierno Law Firm have over 150 years of combined legal experience, will review your Long Island personal injury claim for free, will not charge you unless your case is a success, and are backed by trial success and client satisfaction.
Call The Odierno Law Firm today at (631) 752-8580 to speak with a Melville personal injury lawyer about your potential case.
Scott F. Odierno is a partner at Odienero Law firm. Find out more about Scott on his profile page, or view any of his social media profiles below: