Hurt in a Car Wreck? Our Lawyers Explain Common Causes of Single Car Accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey
There are many different types of car accidents. Although most people believe that car accidents usually involve multiple vehicles, the truth is that the majority of car accidents in the United States are single vehicle car accidents. This is particularly true in Southeastern PA and South Jersey, where statistics reveal that single car accidents account for 52% of all Pennsylvania fatal traffic accidents and 59% of New Jersey fatal traffic accidents. Some of these motor vehicle accidents involve crashes with family or friends, whereas others involve ridesharing accidents which are believed to be responsible for a 3% increase in traffic-related fatalities since becoming more popular. Despite the fact that damages and liability in single vehicle car accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey may be clear, our car accident lawyers know that far too many victims and their families are not fairly compensated for their losses.
But we’re changing that at The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Southeastern PA and South Jersey have a proven track record of success fighting for victims and their families, standing up to some of the largest insurance adjusters and defense law firms in the region. We offer free consultations and case evaluations, and only have our legal bills paid from a percentage of what we recover for you – and only after we make such a recovery. To learn more about single vehicle car accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey, contact us today.
Common Causes of Single Vehicle Car Accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey
Although there are many different types of single vehicle car accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey, nearly all of them are caused by the same thing – negligence. Under Pennsylvania and New Jersey law, negligence is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.
Some examples of when a driver may be acting negligently and cause a single vehicle car accident include the following:
Drunk Driving
One of the most preventable and outright negligent causes of motor vehicle accidents are drunk driving accidents. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving results in approximately 37 traffic-related fatalities each day in the United States. More locally, state-wide traffic statistics reveal that nearly 30% of all motor vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania and 28% of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey involve a driver who was intoxicated or impaired by alcohol. Passengers who are in a vehicle with a driver who is intoxicated, especially a driver who did not reveal that he or she was intoxicated, may be entitled to compensation for their personal injuries in a car.
Distracted Driving
Another entirely preventable type of motor vehicle accident is a distracted driving crash. Sometimes equated to being as dangerous or even more dangerous than drunk driving, statistics from the NHTSA reveal that over 3,500 people are wrongfully killed in distracted driving accidents each year in the United States. Our local state-wide statistics suggest a troubling trend, with Pennsylvania traffic statistics indicating that distracted driving accidents are increasing in the Keystone State. Whereas statistics from New Jersey further show that distracted driving accidents now account for 20% of all traffic fatalities.
Mechanical Defects or Failures
Not all single vehicle car accidents are caused by the way that a driver operates a vehicle. Indeed, some causes may be due to the mechanics, maintenance, and repairs of a vehicle – particularly large vehicles like buses, trucks, and delivery vans. Common causes involve balding or damaged tires, brake failures, steering column failures, and other mechanical defects.
Although all drivers are supposed to inspect their vehicles before driving, most do not. However, not all defects may be visible and apparent, and may be due to hidden defects by manufacturers or repair companies. Any time a driver sustains any type of personal injury in a single vehicle car accident in Southeastern PA or South Jersey, contact an experienced car accident lawyer for help.
Other Common Causes of Single Vehicle Car Accidents
In addition to these three common causes, there are several other common causes of single vehicle car accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey that may be caused by negligence. Some of the most common causes include the following:
- Roadway defects
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Ridesharing accidents
- Fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel (especially truck drivers)
- Failure to yield
- Drugged driving
- Improper lane changes
- Driving too fast for the weather conditions (like snow, ice, or rain)
- Inexperienced driver
- Running a stop sign
- Overreaching or overcorrecting to avoid a possible accident (i.e., another vehicle touches the centerline and a driver steers completely off the road)
- Fallen trees or tree limbs, or other debris on the road, and
- Other common causes of single vehicle car accidents that our experienced car accident lawyers in Southeastern PA and South Jersey can handle for you.
Victims Who Were Injured in Single Vehicle Car Accidents in Southeastern PA and South Jersey Should Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
There are many difficulties that can come with personal injuries from a car accident in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but obtaining compensation should not be one of them. Unfortunately, far too many insurance adjusters and defense lawyers will not fairly and justly pay you and your family for your pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.
Don’t let this happen to you.
Contact the experienced car accident lawyers in Southeastern PA and South Jersey at The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman today to learn more about your rights to compensation under the law. We will not let insurance companies and defense law firms protect dangerous drivers. Our personal injury law firm offers free consultations over the phone or in person. Contact us today to learn more about your rights.
