Which Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Most Commonly Result in Lawsuits?

A total of 974 people died and another 75,838 were injured in motor vehicle accidents on Michigan roads during 2018. These deaths and injuries were the result of 312,798 crashes that occurred on Michigan roads. Many of the victims and their families filed accident lawsuits against the responsible parties. And, a large number of those plaintiffs won large verdicts and settlements. Here is an overview of accidents and injuries that most often lead to motor vehicle lawsuits.

Which types of motor vehicle accidents are more likely to result in lawsuits?

In general, any accident that causes serious injury or death, may be grounds for a lawsuit. However, a large percentage of lawsuits arise from the following kinds of accidents:

• Rear-end collisions

Rear-end collisions are the most common motor vehicle accidents, comprising about one-third of all crashes. These collisions often cause serious injuries, especially at higher speeds.

• Accidents at intersections

Intersection accidents often occur when a driver is making a left turn and the oncoming vehicle fails to yield. Other collisions are caused by drivers who proceed through the intersection on a yellow-turning-red light.

• Head-on collisions

These accidents happen when a driver swerves into the wrong lane and hits an oncoming car. Head-on collisions are among the most deadly kinds of crashes and usually result in very serious injuries.

• Drunk driving

Drunk (or drugged) drivers caused 43.5% of the fatal crashes in Michigan during 2018.

• Distracted driving

Nearly 3,000 people died in accidents caused by distracted drivers in 2018. However, police often cannot determine whether a driver was engaging in distracting behavior at the time of the crash. Therefore, traffic safety experts believe the actual numbers are much higher than statistics reflect.

• Speeding

Approximately one-fourth of accidents occur because one or more drivers are speeding. These drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles and less likely to stop in time to avoid an accident.

• Weather

Many accidents occur in hazardous weather conditions such as icy roads, snow, fog and heavy rain. In these situations, motorists should slow down and keep a greater distance between vehicles.

What types of injuries typically result in motor vehicle accident lawsuits?

Accident victims who sustain serious injuries may require extensive medical care for weeks, months or years. They may need hospitalization, surgery, medication and/or rehabilitation therapy. Some may be permanently disabled. These patients are likely to file lawsuits in order to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. In addition, many will be able to recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Here are some of the injuries that commonly result in motor vehicle accident lawsuits:

Head injuries

Back and spinal cord injuries

Neck injuries

Chest injuries, including heart attack

Internal organ damage

Soft tissue injuries to muscles, ligaments and tendons

Broken bones

Injuries to arms, hands, legs and feet

How do I know if I should file a lawsuit after a motor vehicle accident?

If you or a family member were injured, you should contact a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer right away. Motor vehicle accident lawsuits are complex, with many legal requirements and filing deadlines. Therefore, an experienced attorney with a thorough understanding of Michigan No-Fault law is best qualified to handle your case. In addition, studies show that plaintiffs who hire accident lawyers achieve better financial outcomes than those who represent themselves.

Auto accident law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple.

Call 1-800-CALL-SAM today for a free no-obligation consultation from the safety of your home.

Sources:

https://injury.findlaw.com/car-accidents/types-of-car-accident-injuries.html

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/2018_Year-End_for_Web_653222_7.pdf

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding