Types of Car Accidents

There are about 276 million cars on U.S. roads traveling roughly 3.1 trillion miles each year, which according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, equals to at least 337 round trips from Earth to Pluto. Knowing this, it is expected that a significant number of car accidents will occur on the roads every year. Even so, the actual number of serious accidents is still shocking. Over 37,000 people die on American roads each year.  What's more, well over two million people are injured from car accidents each year. Perhaps the saddest fact of all is that the vast majority of these accidents are preventable. Below is a look at some of the major causes of traffic accidents, and what you can do if you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck.

Driver error is the single greatest cause of car accidents. Negligence presents itself in many ways, and can include speeding, running red lights or stop signs, failing to signal or look before turning or changing lanes, driving drunk, driving recklessly or aggressively, and, of course, distracted driving. Negligent drivers cause head-on, rear-end and t-bone collisions accidents which oftentimes result in serious injuries to those involved . Victims of tractor-trailer accidents, as well as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians who are struck by a vehicle, fare the worst and have the highest fatality rates.

After a car accident, the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company may be liable to the injury victim for the full amount of their present and future medical bills, lost income and future earning capacity, pain and suffering and emotional distress. In order to recover this compensation, however, the burden falls on the injury victim to prove the other driver's negligence and justify the amount of damages caused. This often involves having to fight well-funded insurance company lawyers who dispute the facts and try to blame the injured driver for causing the accident. At Katz Personal Injury Lawyers, we provide strong, aggressive representation, whether negotiating a fair settlement or fighting in court for full compensation. Our attorneys are experienced in all types of motor vehicle collisions, including those involving multiple vehicles or hit and run accidents where the negligent driver cannot be found.

Automotive defects can be responsible for causing accidents, or they can make a minor accident much worse to the vehicle occupants than it should have been. Defects can occur in the design stage or manufacturing process; either way, vehicle and parts manufacturers can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by defective vehicles. Common defects which can cause an accident include components such as defective tires, brakes or accelerator pedals. A design defect can also cause a vehicle to be unsafe or particularly hazardous to drive.  Additionally, even low-impact accidents can turn into catastrophic tragedies due to a seat belt failure or airbag that fails to deploy, or a design defect that puts the car's electrical wiring too close to the fuel line.

The attorneys at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers have the skills, experience and resources to go up against the largest vehicle manufacturers when their negligence or pursuit of profits over product safety puts a dangerously defective vehicle on the road.

If a road is defectively designed or improperly maintained, the county, state or other responsible level of government may be held accountable for injuries and death. Examples include blind curves, steep inclines, inadequate shoulders, potholes, inadequate signage, missing or malfunctioning signal lights, and more. Intersections or roadways that are known to be especially dangerous can be defective roads and are often the result of poor design.  A personal injury claim based on a defective road is usually filed against a governmental agency.  Claims against governmental agencies are handled differently from other negligence claims. For instance, the time limit to notify the proper government agency of your claim is very brief. Be sure to contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after such an accident to protect your rights.

In Georgia, the odds of colliding with a large animal in the road are greater than you might think. There are more than one million head of cattle being raised by more than 20,000 small producers in Georgia, and a significant number of horses living on farms throughout the state, which makes the chances of hitting a large animal on the road that much greater. An adult cow or bull can weigh from 1,600 to 2,400 pounds (more than a Smart Car!) and horses can weight between 1500 and 2000 pounds. Whether striking a horse or a slow-moving cow, the damage to your vehicle can be enormous and put the vehicle occupants at risk of serious personal injury.

There may be many routes to compensation for your injuries and damages from an animal strike. A livestock owner may have been negligent in allowing the animal to escape the property. This often occurs due to a failure to maintain fencing or leaving open a gate that should have been shut and secured. An attorney can help in any of these situations to make sure your claim is successful and fully paid.

These are just some of the ways a car accident may occur on Georgia roads and highways. Whatever the reason, you likely have options to help you cover your medical expenses and deal with the loss of income that occurs when you are seriously injured in a car accident. The personal injury attorneys at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta are dedicated to thoroughly investigating every accident and seeking the maximum compensation for you from all available sources. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle accident in Georgia, call our office at 404-460-0101 for a free consultation on your claims.