Highway accidents tend to be devastating because of increased speed limits and the sheer number of travelers on the road. A number of factors may contribute to accidents on these main thoroughfares in our state. Distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, tiredness, and failing to follow road laws are all contributing factors that may lead to an injurious accident.
In some cases, there may not be a negligent driver. Faulty parts on malfunctioning vehicles and dangerous road conditions are also contributing factors. Manufacturing, parts companies, and government entities could all be liable parties in highway accidents. Regardless of the cause, the results are the same. Someone’s life is turned upside down in a second.
Highway accident injuries can range from a lifetime of chronic pain to permanent brain damage. In the worst cases, one or more accident victims lose their lives during or after the accident takes place. While criminal law works to prosecute those engaging in illegal activities, accident victims may be left staring at a mountain of paperwork, and overwhelmed by the requests for statements and testimony.
Who is Responsible for a Multi Car Accident?
Many highway accidents do not only involve two drivers. They take the form of multi-vehicle collisions. In a pileup accident case, it can be more difficult to assign fault and identify the defendant. If you know you were not at fault, however, a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against one or more responsible parties. Multiple drivers could owe you compensation if they both contributed to your multi-car crash. Otherwise, one driver could owe you and the other victims compensation.
It may take an investigation to determine the proximate, or main, cause of your multi-car accident. An insurance company, the police or your attorney could revisit the scene and analyze evidence to identify the driver most at-fault for the multi-car collision. Then, you can proceed with a lawsuit against the correct defendant. If your case involves more than one party that shares fault for your collision, Texas’ joint tortfeasor law may apply
Texas lawmakers hold that parties involved in multi-vehicle crashes could be severally liable, but not jointly liable. This means the parties would owe compensation based on their percentages of fault, rather than each defendant owing to the plaintiff the full amount of the compensation award.
If your case involves more than one defendant, therefore, each could owe you a portion of an award according to the degree of fault the courts assign to each party. Together, all the defendants involved in the multi-car accident would pay your settlement or verdict award. Holding multiple at-fault parties responsible could increase your chances of securing enough compensation to cover your damages.
What Compensation Could I Receive?
A highway accident can be physically and emotionally devastating. The compensation you receive through a civil tort action could reimburse you and your family for all your tangible and intangible losses. If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries, for example, you could receive a damage award for lifelong medical costs, disability expenses, diminished capacity to earn and lost quality of life.
- Health care expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or grief
- Punitive damages
Highway accident claims involving a pileup, vehicle rollover, catastrophic injuries and/or wrongful death could be worth a significant amount of compensation in Texas. If you are curious about the potential value of your case, speak to an attorney at The Law Firm of Aaron Herbert today. We offer free and confidential initial case evaluations.
How a Highway Accident Attorney Can Help
Contacting an attorney can be the best course of action for many people after a highway accident. In addition to bringing the responsible parties to justice and getting you the amount of compensation you need to start recovering, your experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorney can also help you find quality medical care and speak with insurance adjustors on your behalf. The recovery process can be overwhelming on its own. Let the proven track record of the Dallas personal injury attorneys from the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert help you manage the rest.
Our Dallas-based law firm specializes in personal injury law. Founding attorney Aaron Herbert is board-certified in personal injury law and has successfully resolved thousands of accident cases. He has over 10 years of experience in the field, and he believes justice is for everyone. If you have been injured in a highway accident, our team of attorneys wants to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about taking legal action against the party or parties responsible.
Tips for Avoiding a Highway Accident
Safe driving can minimize, but may not eliminate, your risk of being involved in a serious accident. Keep your safe driving skills sharp with these tips:
- Regularly maintain your vehicle – All vehicles become more susceptible to a breakdown if they aren’t properly maintained. Commercial trucks, SUVs, and other high-risk vehicles are even more prone to rollover and blowout accidents.
- Use a hands-free device – Try to avoid using cell phones and fiddling with navigation systems and radios as much as possible. If you must, use a hands-free device and only program your GPS or scan through stations when you’re stopped.
- Keep your headlights on – Although it’s not a requirement during the day, daytime running lights will make your vehicle even more visible to surrounding traffic. If you don’t keep lights on during the day, remember to turn on headlights in inclement weather.
- Leave plenty of space – Leave three car lengths in between you and the vehicle in front of you to prevent rear-end collisions. In hazardous conditions or on weaving roads, leave additional space to allow for unexpected obstacles and behaviors.
If you’re facing the life-altering consequences of a highway accident, you need a trusted legal advisor on your side. Let an attorney at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert in Dallas become your advocate so that you can get the compensation you need to cover the associated costs. Another person’s negligent actions don’t have to affect the next 10 years or more of your life. Contact our team today for a free case evaluation.