8 Common Causes of Car Accidents and How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Toronto’s busy streets have become the backdrop for countless accidents that leave individuals grappling with the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions. In the realm of personal injury law, car accidents remain a ubiquitous and unfortunate occurrence. With countless vehicles sharing the roadways, it’s no surprise that accidents happen.
This article delves into the prevalent factors that contribute to such incidents. From distracted driving to adverse weather conditions, we’ll explore these root causes and demonstrate how personal injury lawyers play a vital role in helping victims seek the justice and compensation they deserve.
1. Distracted driving
Distracted driving encompasses various activities that divert a driver’s attention from the road. In Toronto, like elsewhere, the use of smartphones, GPS devices, and in-car entertainment systems is a pervasive issue.
Texting, making calls, and engaging with apps while driving are particularly dangerous. Drivers must remember that a few seconds of distraction can result in a life-changing accident.
2. Impaired driving
Impaired driving has been an offence since 1921. Despite improvements in recent decades, impaired driving is still a significant contributor to severe car accidents. In 2020, law enforcement reported 77,600 impaired driving cases across the country.
Both alcohol and drugs, including cannabis, can significantly impair coordination and reaction times while operating a motor vehicle, highlighting the ongoing dangers they pose on the roads.
3. Speeding
A driver’s excessive speeding diminishes their reaction time in critical situations, making it harder to avoid accidents. Speeding not only leads to accidents but can also exacerbate the severity of collisions when they occur. The velocity of a vehicle is directly linked to the force it generates in a crash, which, in turn, can significantly impact the extent of personal injuries.
4. Reckless driving
Reckless driving behaviours in Toronto include tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and ignoring traffic rules. These actions can lead to high-speed accidents and road rage incidents. In an already hectic urban environment, such behaviours can escalate minor traffic disputes into dangerous situations.
5. Weather and road conditions
Adverse weather and road conditions contribute significantly to car accidents by reducing visibility, impairing traction, and making vehicle control difficult. Rain, snow, and ice can lead to skidding, hydroplaning, and accidents as drivers struggle to stop or steer effectively. These conditions also necessitate reduced driving speeds, which some may ignore, thus increasing the risk of accidents.
6. Running red lights and stop signs
Disregarding traffic signals, such as running red lights and ignoring stop signs, increases the likelihood of car accidents. This is primarily due to traffic conflicts at intersections, where complex factors like the presence of pedestrians, multiple lanes, and various road users intersect. These actions often result in T-bone collisions, where the sides of vehicles offer less protection, leading to severe accidents.
7. Fatigued driving
The long commutes and hectic lifestyles of many Torontonians can lead to driver fatigue. Fatigued drivers exhibit deficits similar to impaired drivers, including slower reaction times and poor judgment. Long working hours and heavy traffic can contribute to this problem.
8. Vehicle defects
Even well-maintained vehicles can experience malfunctions or defects. Issues like brake failures, tire blowouts, or sudden loss of power steering can be catastrophic. Ensuring your car is regularly serviced and promptly addressing recalls is essential in preventing these accidents.
The Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to life-threatening. Here are some common types of injuries caused by car accidents:
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in losing sensation or motor control in any body part. When the spinal cord is completely severed, the region below the injury site usually experiences paralysis.
- Back injuries: Car crashes subject the body to heavy impact, often leading to back injuries that may not manifest immediately, but can cause severe and enduring pain and disability.
- Internal injuries: Crashes can force the body into objects or debris, causing damage to internal organs and potentially leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Fractures: Car accidents frequently result in broken limbs, ribs, and other bones, ranging from simple fractures requiring casting to more complex breaks necessitating surgery.
- Neck injuries and whiplash: Whiplash, encompassing neck soft tissue injuries, can occur in accidents even at low speeds, causing neck pain. More severe injuries like disk damage and cervical dislocation can also result from car accidents.
Prompt medical attention post-car accidents is crucial, even when initial injuries seem minor, as some may manifest later. Early diagnosis and treatment enhance recovery prospects.
If your injuries resulted from another driver’s negligence, you have the option to pursue compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, and the physical and emotional distress you’ve endured through a personal injury claim. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney to safeguard your rights and receive expert legal guidance.
Should you hire a lawyer for an accident that wasn’t your fault?
The answer is yes, absolutely. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be instrumental in ensuring you receive equitable compensation. They facilitate assessments with medical experts, delve into case law pertinent to your injuries, and calculate your financial losses, such as lost income. For accidents in Alberta, your attorney can also assist in determining whether your injuries fall under the Minor Injury Regulation.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer also shields you from allegations of shared responsibility for the accident, known as contributory negligence. Your lawyer thoroughly investigates the accident’s circumstances, obtains police reports and witness statements, and ensures that liability is accurately determined. This guarantees you fair compensation for your injuries without any reduction due to contributory negligence.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Assist You in the Event of a Car Accident in Toronto
Here are five key benefits of hiring an injury lawyer after a car accident in Toronto:
- Gathering evidence: An attorney can collect and preserve essential evidence, such as accident photos, police reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, and more. They may even bring in accident reconstruction experts when needed.
- Establishing fault: Your lawyer can help determine who is at fault in your car accident, whether it’s another driver, a negligent mechanic, a corporation, a municipality, or other responsible parties. In cases with multiple parties at fault, they can guide you on pursuing all liable parties.
- Calculating damages: While you can handle some damages like medical bills and car repair estimates independently, a lawyer can assist in assessing more complex damages. This includes future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering damages, ensuring you understand the legal guidelines and potential deductibles.
- Filing your claim and negotiating: Lawyers can manage legal deadlines, including the limitations period for filing a personal injury case. They also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, protecting your statements from misinterpretation and defending your case against attempts to reduce compensation. If a settlement isn’t reached, they can represent you in court.
- Alleviating the burden: Hiring a personal injury lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery while they navigate the legal process and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Seek the Expertise of a Diligent Toronto Car Accident Lawyer at Affinity Law
When facing the aftermath of a car accident in Toronto, having a dedicated legal partner by your side is crucial. With its wealth of experience in personal injury law and insurance litigation, Affinity Law Professional Corporation is your unwavering advocate.
Our diligent, resourceful, and knowledgeable Toronto car accident lawyers are committed to professionally handling your injury claim, ensuring maximum compensation. For a free consultation, call 1-844-786-8766 or contact us here to complete our online request form. Your compensation and justice matter to us.