In the last two decades, more Americans have perished in motor vehicle crashes than those who died in both World Wars combined. While this sounds horrific, it gets even worse when you realize that the majority of these fatalities were caused by preventable causes.
Around 94% of car crashes are the result of human error. While some of those errors are simply accidents or unpreventable, ones like speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving are fully preventable. This should outrage everyone who learn this because the innocent victims didn’t have to die.
Addressing these preventable causes
The laws in Colorado and across the country address some of these common causes of fatal crashes. For example, there are strict laws that limit the acceptable blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers. The issue here is that these laws aren’t always enforced. Drivers who are circumventing the applicable laws aren’t always caught by the police. This leaves room for these senseless crashes to continue occurring.
All drivers are responsible for their own actions when they’re behind the wheel. From a practical standpoint, individuals who are involved in a crash caused by negligence can choose to seek compensation for the damages.
But, what happens when the victim doesn’t survive? In that case, the loved ones who are left behind might opt to pursue a legal claim through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Uncovering the cause of the crash
When a victim opts to seek compensation, they need to show how the driver was negligent. Looking into the circumstances surrounding the car crash can help them to do this. For example, if the driver was going 90 miles per hour in a 70 MPH zone, the speeding likely played a role in the crash. Evidence and memories about events like this can often change over time. Victims should discuss their case with an attorney right away to determine what type of evidence they can unearth.
Seeking compensation involves asking the liable party to cover the damages you’ve experienced because of their negligence or recklessness. In the case of a motor vehicle crash, this might include things like the wages you missed out on earning while you were healing and the expenses you incur due to medical care. You should include the damages you already know about, as well as the ones that you’re likely to incur in the future. Once your case is resolved, you can’t seek more compensation.