No matter how carefully you drive, the highway is a dangerous place to be. Even if you follow all the rules, take all precautions, and keep your vehicle in perfect condition, you may be injured in an accident due to another driver’s fault. If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident or due to negligence by another person, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you’re asking yourself, do I need a personal injury lawyer, the answer is that it will greatly increase your chances of obtaining a just and fair settlement.
The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court and experienced lawyers will be able to help you best represent your case in negotiations or in court.
Traffic accidents and personal injury
You might be a careful driver but there are plenty of people driving on the roads and highways who are not so conscientious. Drunk and distracted drivers are responsible for thousands of accidents each year. In just one year, 2013, crashes involving distracted drivers killed 3,154 people and injured around 424,000 people were injured.
Despite the high risks involved in texting or phoning while driving, it is estimated that around 660,000 drivers are driving while using their cell phones or other electronic devices at any given time during the day. Research has shown that drivers who carry out visual-manual subtasks involving handheld phones and other devices have a higher risk of a crash, by a factor of three. Such tasks include texting, dialing a number, and even reaching for a phone.
Motorcycle drivers have a higher risk
For a number of reasons, motorcycles have a higher risk of accidents and injuries. That’s because the vehicles are smaller than nearly everything else on the road, and the drivers are unprotected. As of 2013, the grim statistics show that motorcyclists were 26 times more likely to die in a crash than car passengers, and five times more likely to be injured.
Due to greater publicity about the hazards, and constant reminders to other motorists to watch out for motorcyclists, the number of motorcycle accidents has been declining, but remains high. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2013, the number of fatalities in motorcycle crashes was 4,668 people, which was 6.4% less than in 2012. The number of injuries likewise declined by 5.4% in the same period.
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
Given the high number of traffic accidents each year, thousands of people suffer injuries that affect their lives and ability to work. Personal injury lawyers can help anyone who has suffered an injury to determine if they have a case, and to help them file for damages.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident or suffered injury or harm due to negligence by another person, you might have a valid case in law for compensation. You might wonder if you have a case. The best way to answer your question, do I need a personal injury lawyer, is to consult with a reputed law firm that can answer your questions and guide you on future actions.
A personal injury attorney can help you file your claim in a timely fashion and to put together the strongest case possible.