Although car accidents are common in the United States, they tend to cause debilitating and life-threatening injuries. From medical bills to pay to losing one’s livelihood, withdrawing socially, and experiencing physical and mental pain, a severe car accident can put the injured victim in a vulnerable position.
Ehline Law and our personal injury lawyers help protect the rights of injured victims and work closely with them to build a strong claim. Healing from injuries can be stressful and tiring, but partnering up with our reputable personal injury law firm can take your mind off the legal aspect of a personal injury claim.
About Our Attorney Awards, Reviews, and Accolades
- The Superlawyers Rising Star Award was awarded multiple times to Michael Ehline from 2006-2015.
- Newsweek Magazine awarded its “Premier Personal Injury Attorneys” award to Ehline Law Firm’s attorneys in 2015.
- CNN interviewed Michael Ehline about cruise ship law, and he was a guest on NBC discussing limousine law practice areas. Michael was also interviewed by Nancy Grace on CBS, discussing his expertise in California dog bite law.
Our years of experience can help you hold all the negligent parties liable for causing your damages.
Contact our experienced Ontario car accident lawyers to learn more about your rights as an injured victim if you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident in Ontario due to another’s negligence.
California Car Accident Statistics
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 3,847 traffic fatalities in 2020, which jumped to 4,258 traffic fatalities in 2021, an increase of 10.7%. The rise in traffic fatalities across California and the United States suggests that the roads are becoming more deadly.
Although many experts are quick to blame empty roads for reckless driving during the Covid-19 lockdown, which significantly increased traffic fatalities, the reality is that over the last ten years, there has been an increasing trend in traffic-related deaths across the country.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Ontario
Car accidents can happen for many reasons, but the following are some of the leading causes of car crashes in the United States.
Distracted Driving
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving claimed eight lives on average daily and contributed to 8.1% of all motor vehicle accidents in 2020.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the country, including Ontario. When drivers have their minds elsewhere or are looking away from the road, they increase the risk of a car accident.
Whether they’re looking down to look at a text on their phone or glimpsing over to check out a billboard, every distraction can lead to serious consequences.
Failure to Follow the Law
Traffic laws are in place to prevent accidents, yet there are over 5 million car accidents in the United States every year.
Whether a driver runs a red light or doesn’t slow down before a curve, recklessness and inability to follow traffic laws can put them and others in danger.
Impaired Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on average, 10,500 people die annually in car crashes involving drunk drivers.
Drinking impairs a driver’s ability to sense and judge road conditions and the behavior of other drivers. It also impairs their cognitive functions, so drunk drivers may not drive in a straight line.
Although they may feel like they’re driving perfectly fine, that is not the case, and a small error in judgment can cost a life.
Speeding
In a 2020 report, the National Safety Council revealed that 29% of all traffic fatalities involved speeding as a primary contributor, killing 30 people on average daily.
You may have noticed drivers whizz past you when driving on the highway while following the allowed speed limits. It’s not uncommon for many of us to go 10 to 20 MPH beyond the speed limits, but it is essential to understand that the speed limits are in place for a reason.
The vehicle requires a long braking distance at higher speeds, making it difficult for a speeding car to avoid collisions.
Tailgating
It is essential to leave enough braking space between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Drivers who follow cars closely behind, whether they’re looking to overtake the vehicle or do not know about braking space, increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
Besides the causes mentioned above, there may be other reasons for a car accident, including the following:
- Inclement Weather
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Inexperienced drivers
- Night driving
- Road hazards
- Defective vehicle
- Wrong-way driving or unsafe lane changes.
Common Car Accident Injuries
From minor injuries to fatal injuries that can lead to wrongful death, car accidents can lead to all sorts of injuries. Generally, there are two categories of injuries: impact and penetrative.
Impact injuries in a car accident occur when a person’s body part gets hit by the interior of a car, such as a knee bruise. In contrast, penetrative injuries occur when objects cut open a person, such as scrapes.
The following are some of the common types of injuries sustained in car accidents:
- Scrapes and cuts
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Disfigurement and amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones and fractures.
After suffering injuries in a car accident, injured victims must immediately seek medical attention and follow their doctor’s advice regarding treatment. An accident can leave a person with serious injuries, causing physical, mental, and financial stress.
Fortunately, accident victims can bring a civil action against the liable party for their injuries to recover compensation for the damages incurred. After seeking medical attention, injured victims need to contact experienced car accident attorneys to discuss their cases and learn more about their legal options.
Elements of a Car Accident Case
Although injured victims can pursue compensation by filing car accident claims after their accidents, it is not that simple.
To establish negligence, it is crucial that car accident victims prove the following critical elements of a car accident claim:
- The defendant owed the victim a duty of care (Legal duty).
- The defendant was negligent and breached their legal duty (Breach).
- The victim suffered injuries due to the defendant’s negligence (Causation).
- The victim sustained damages following the car accident (Damages).
Establishing the elements of a car accident claim can be challenging, so you should work with an experienced car accident lawyer.
Protecting Your Ontario Car Accident Claim
Ontario car accidents can leave victims vulnerable, but it is crucial to understand that there are certain steps they can take following their accidents to protect their claims.
Our skilled personal injury attorneys recommend taking the following steps after an accident to increase your chances of recovering compensation:
- Call 911 for help. If you’ve suffered severe injuries, you must call 911, wait for first responders to provide medical assistance, and take you to a hospital. If you can move around, you should still call 911, as it will help you document the accident and request a copy of the police report.
- If you can move, gathering as much evidence as possible to secure your Ontario car accident case is best. Photograph the accident site, the road, the vehicles involved, your injuries, and any traffic signs nearby. The more details you capture while it’s fresh, the better you can prove liability.
- Speak to the other drivers involved in the car accident and exchange contact numbers and insurance information.
- Talk to any witnesses and request their contact information. Witness statements can help strengthen your car accident case and improve your chances of making a financial recovery.
- Head to the hospital for medical attention. Don’t delay getting a complete medical evaluation to determine any internal injuries. Also, follow your doctor’s treatment plan, as failure to do so can allow the insurance company to reduce or reject the claim.
- Speak to an experienced Ontario car accident lawyer before you contact the insurance company. A skilled car accident lawyer can help guide you on the legal process and how to deal with the insurance company.
Why You Need an Ontario Car Accident Attorney
After suffering injuries in an accident, it is essential to focus on receiving medical treatment and your recovery and leave the claim to an experienced Ontario car accident lawyer.
When car accident victims pursue claims after their auto accidents, they often are unsure how much their claim is worth or how to deal with the insurance companies.
Insurers assign a claims adjuster to every case whose only responsibility is to ensure they reduce payouts as much as possible. Lower payouts mean higher profit for the insurance company, which translates into happy shareholders.
With an experienced car accident attorney by your side, an insurance company will think twice about using dirty tactics or forcing you into accepting a lower settlement offer. Ehline Law and our legal team know how to build a trial-ready case and force the insurer into agreeing on a fair settlement.
Car accident injuries can be devastating, and pursuing claims can add to the stress, but with our legal team, you can rest and focus on your recovery while we aggressively pursue what you’re owed!
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law Ontario, CA Car Crash Lawyers
If you suffered serious injuries in a car crash due to another’s negligence, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation with our skilled Ontario car accident lawyer, as you may be able to seek compensation.
