Westmont Car Accident Attorneys

When driving, few people expect to be involved in car accidents. In many cases, collisions happen without warning, and a person who is obeying the rules of the road can suffer serious harm when another driver acts negligently. In these situations, injury victims may struggle to cover the costs of medical treatment, and they may also lose income when they are forced to take time away from work while recovering. They may also experience long-term physical impairments and emotional trauma. As they address these issues, victims can take steps to recover compensation from drivers who were responsible for causing accidents.

At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys provide legal help for people in Westmont who have been injured by negligent drivers. We can investigate the causes of a crash, take steps to show that a driver was responsible for causing a collision, assist with insurance claims, and work to ensure that an injury victim will be fully compensated for their damages.

Legal Support for Injured Drivers and Passengers

Car accident cases can be complex. Determining who was responsible for causing an accident may require a detailed investigation. While people who have been injured may be covered by insurance policies, the personnel working at insurance companies will often attempt to minimize claims, dispute fault, or pressure an injury victim into accepting a low settlement.

Our lawyers can provide the legal representation clients need to ensure that they can recover compensation for the injuries suffered in car accidents. We can gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, cell phone data, statements from witnesses, and testimony from accident reconstruction professionals, and we will use this information to establish exactly how a crash occurred. We can also negotiate with insurance companies as we work to secure the full compensation our clients deserve.

Driver Negligence Leading to Car Accidents

While motor vehicle collisions are often referred to as accidents, they are rarely truly accidental. In most cases, car crashes take place because a driver acts negligently by violating traffic laws or taking other unsafe actions. Some of the forms of negligence that often play a role in car accident cases include:

Speeding

When a person drives faster than the posted speed limit, their ability to react to hazards correctly will be limited. A person who is speeding may not have enough time to slow down when necessary, or they may be more likely to lose control when they need to make a sudden maneuver. Even if a person is not violating the speed limit, they could cause an accident if they drive too fast in certain conditions, such as when roads are slippery because of snowy weather.

Unsafe Passing and Improper Lane Changes

When a person attempts to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone, or when they change lanes without checking their mirrors and blind spots, they can cause a serious sideswipe collision. A driver who moves into another lane without making sure it is clear could force another vehicle off the road or push it into other lanes and cause a secondary collision.

Tailgating

When a driver follows too closely behind another vehicle, they may not have enough time or distance to stop safely. Traffic can slow down suddenly for a variety of reasons, and a driver who has no room to stop in these situations may cause a rear-end collision.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Drivers who ignore traffic signals or stop signs can cause serious collisions in intersections. These situations often involve T-bone accidents, and serious injuries can occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle.

Distracted Driving

Texting, talking on a handheld phone, adjusting navigation systems, eating while driving, or other activities can take a driver's attention away from the road. Distracted driving may prevent a person from noticing details on the road, such as the sudden movement of another vehicle or a slowdown in traffic. A driver who is distracted may delay in reacting to these issues, and this may prevent them from taking actions to prevent a crash.

Drowsy Driving

When a person is fatigued, they will be more likely to make dangerous mistakes while driving. They may not notice important details on the road, or they may experience delayed reaction times. Some drowsy drivers may fall asleep behind the wheel, which can lead to devastating accidents.

Drunk Driving

When a person has been using alcohol or drugs, they will experience issues that can make it impossible to drive safely. Impairments to vision, coordination, reaction times, and other factors that are crucial when operating a vehicle can lead to dangerous collisions.

Operating an Unsafe Vehicle

Drivers are required to ensure that their vehicles can operate safely. When a vehicle owner has neglected maintenance, issues such as worn brakes, bald tires, or malfunctioning headlights can lead to car accidents.