Highway accidents in La Porte take different forms, each with its own causes and risks. Because vehicles move at high speeds on freeways, the impact of collisions is usually devastating. One of the most common highway accidents is rear-end collisions, where a car rams into the rear of another. Distracted driving and aggressive driving are prevalent causes.
Another prevalent accident is head-on collisions. They stem from reckless driving practices such as crossing the median barrier and unsafe lane changes. Head-on collisions often cause severe injuries and fatalities. Side-swipes are equally common. Vehicles moving in the same or opposite directions scrape on their sides. Though less catastrophic, these accidents can result in injuries such as cuts, bruises, and whiplash.
Multi-vehicle accidents are chain-reaction collisions triggered by distracted driving, inexperienced driving, and bad weather conditions such as rain, ice, fog, and mist. They are particularly dangerous because motorists rarely have enough time to react. T-bone collisions typically occur at intersections where one party has the right of way, but another motorist fails to yield. Rollovers are another set of highway accidents involving trucks and SUVs where a vehicle flips on its roof or side. Retaining a car accident lawyer in La Porte is necessary for understanding and protecting your rights after a crash.
Proving Fault in a La Porte Highway Accident Case
In an accident involving someone else’s negligence, you must meet the burden of proof to qualify for compensation. This entails proving the following elements:
Duty of care
You must first prove that another party owed you a duty of care. This expectation is straightforward because every pedestrian, trucker, and cyclist is responsible for the safety of other road users. Their actions or behaviors must not risk the well-being of others.
Breach
Next, you must prove the duty of care was breached. This means there was a direct violation of your rights through an action or inaction. In highway accidents involving motor vehicle collisions, breach of duty primarily revolves around violating one or several traffic laws, such as failure to yield and distracted driving.
Causation
Causation is the third and most important element of negligence you must demonstrate in a highway accident case. Many personal injury claims are disputed at this stage. Causation links the other person’s breach and the harm you suffered. For example, in a DUI, you must show how the other driver’s lack of attention and loss of cognitive functions resulted in the crash. The accident would not have occurred if they had not operated a vehicle while intoxicated with alcohol.
Damages
Having demonstrated the first three elements of negligence, the final aspect of a car accident claim is damages. These are the economic and non-economic losses that victims suffer. Economic damages include lost income for missed work, loss of income-earning ability, medical expenses, and vehicle repair estimates.
Non-economic damages cover an accident or injury’s emotional, physical, and psychological impact. They include loss of consortium, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and emotional trauma. A La Porte personal injury lawyer can compile all tangible and intangible losses to accurately determine the compensation to claim.
For a free legal consultation with a highway accident lawyer serving La Porte, call (832) 449-8230
Wrongful Death in Highway Accidents
When someone is killed in a La Porte hit-and-run accident or any other collision, a select family member can pursue justice through civil action. A wrongful death lawsuit allows the deceased’s estate to recover compensation they would have been eligible to claim if they survived. Additionally, the estate also seeks restitution for the losses they incur after the death of a loved one. Damages in a wrongful death case cover:
- The deceased’s pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of dependency
- Burial and funeral expenses
Retaining a knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer is crucial for discovering and understanding your rights following the death of a loved one. Although no compensation is enough to fill the void, maximum recovery is essential for covering incurred expenses and moving on with life.
La Porte Highway Accident Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Talk to a La Porte Highway Accident Lawyer Now
When you are hurt or a loved one is killed in a highway accident, justice must prevail. Besides holding the at-fault party criminally liable for the losses, civil action allows victims to recover monetary compensation.
Let our highway accident lawyers in La Porter and the larger Texas area fight for your rights. We have decades of combined experience winning record-breaking settlements for personal injury victims. We may help you, too. Call us now to schedule a free, no-risk case evaluation.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form