There are numerous amounts of cars on the road in the state of New York at any given moment of the day. Sometimes, a drive does not always go as planned and accidents can happen on the road. In some cases, accidents can be minor and cause little to no injuries. Other times, they can be severe and cause life-changing injuries or even death to those involved. This has the potential to leave families in significant physical, emotional, and even financial disaster. The outcome of a car accident can be dependent on the size of the vehicles that collide, the speeds they were going, and the point of impact. It is important to seek legal representation if your accident was due to the negligence of another party.
Types of Accidents
There are many different ways that cars can collide on the road. Some of the most common types of car accidents in New York are the following:
- Rear-end accidents
- Side-impact collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-car pile-ups
- Taxi accidents
Common Causes
All drivers behind the wheel of a vehicle have an obligation to pay attention to the road and drive safely. However, this is not always the case and car accidents happen. In some cases, they are a result of poor road conditions or negligent driving. Some dangerous actions that can lead to car accidents may include:
- Texting while driving
- Using other electronic devices while driving
- Disregarding traffic signs/signals
- Drunk/drugged driving
- Excessive speeding/reckless driving
- Driving distracted
- Driving tired
What to Do After an Accident
When an accident happens, it is crucial to stay at the scene and contact law enforcement. This can ensure your safety, the safety of the scene, and that of other drivers on the road. In addition to this, they can draft an official police report and take witness statements. As long as it is safe, it can be helpful to take pictures and video of the wreckage before the vehicles are moved. This is all information that can be used as evidence to assist your case in court. Medical attention should be sought immediately after an accident to assess any injuries.
Burden of Proof
If an accident happens due to negligence, the injured party often wants to hold the negligent party responsible for their injuries. In order to do so, they can file a claim for a personal injury lawsuit. During this process, the injured party must satisfy the “burden of proof.” This requires them to collect any evidence that proves the accident and the injuries were a direct result of the other party’s negligence. Evidence for a case may consist of the police report, medical documentation of the injuries, pictures/videos of the accident, or any witnesses to the accident.
Contact our Firm
If you have been seriously injured as a result of another party’s negligence, contact Swerling Law today to schedule a free initial consultation.
