Understanding Car Accident Causes and Liability

Motor vehicle crashes occur frequently, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimating that approximately 6 million accidents happen on an annual basis. While there are various reasons that traffic crashes happen, there are some common causes to know about. Often, the party who causes a car accident due to negligent driving can be liable for damages in a civil lawsuit. At the same time, other parties can also bear responsibility for collision injuries, but it will be important to determine both causation and liability with assistance from an attorney. Our Texas car accident lawyers can tell you more.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Texas 

What are the most common causes of traffic collisions? According to data from the NHTSA and the National Safety Council (NSC), the following are the top causes of car crashes, including those affecting motor vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians:

• Impaired driving due to alcohol and/or drugs;
• Distracted driving, including texting while driving;
• Speeding and other forms of aggressive driving;
• Fatigued or drowsy driving;
• Inclement weather;
• Dangerous road conditions; and
• Defective vehicle components, such as defective brakes.

These causal factors can result in many types of crashes, including rear-end collisions, sideswipe accidents, T-bone or side-impact collisions, and head-on collisions. These accidents result in hundreds of thousands of injuries, and more than 40,000 fatalities each year.

Link Between Car Accident Causation and Liability 

In most car accident cases, the party who caused the accident will also be liable for injuries (at least in part). The NHTSA estimates that more than 90 percent of car crashes are caused by a driver’s negligence. When a driver’s negligent or careless behavior behind the wheel results in injuries, that driver is typically liable. Yet there are also other parties who could bear some responsibility, such as the employer of the driver (if the driver was working at the time of the accident, for example). You should always discuss causation and liability with an attorney, focusing on the specific facts of your case.

For most Texas car accident lawsuits, you will have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit against the party who caused the accident in which you sustained your injuries. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year statute of limitations in Texas, but the clock starts ticking on the date of the deceased’s death (rather than the date of the accident).

 Contact Our Texas Auto Accident Lawyers for Assistance with Your Claim

After any traffic crash, it is important to work with an attorney to determine causation so that you can identify the party or parties who may be responsible for compensating you for your losses. To be clear, whoever caused the car crash in which you were injured may be liable for damages. An experienced Texas car accident attorney at John Reed, Attorney at Law can speak with you today to learn the details of your traffic crash injuries and to discuss your options with you for seeking financial compensation. Contact us today to begin working on your Texas car accident claim.

Sources:

injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/introduction/

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811059

statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/cp/htm/cp.16.htm