Common Auto Accident Causes - New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Attorney

Auto accidents are an extremely common occurrence in the United States. According to NHTSA, there were nearly 2.5 million injuries related to traffic crashes in 2006. Motorists face a real risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident at some point in their lives. If you share the road with other motorists on a day-to-day basis, it is important to drive defensively and to maintain a constant state of awareness of your surroundings in order to protect yourself from other drivers. If you have suffered a serious injury in a car accident or a loved one has suffered a wrongful death, a New York, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based auto accident attorney from Locks Law can help. There are a number of common and often times preventable causes for motor vehicle accidents in the United States. If you have fallen victim to one of the following, contact our personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.

• Driver Negligence
• Driving Under the Influence
• Automotive Defects
• Road Design

Driver Negligence

The vast majority of traffic accidents are caused by driver negligence or reckless action. As such, the vast majority of accidents and injuries are preventable with the exercise of reasonable care by drivers. Among the most common types of driver error that lead to accidents are:

• Exceeding the speed limit
• Failure to signal intentions to other motorists
• Failure to yield or give the right of way to another motorist or pedestrian
• Tailgating or following at an unsafe distance
• Driving at an unsafe speed for the road or weather conditions
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving significantly below the speed limit

To protect yourself on the road, it is important to obey all traffic laws and to drive defensively. As a motorist, you should anticipate other drivers' moves and maintain a proper distance between your car and others whenever possible. By undertaking these simple steps, you can greatly improve your chances of avoiding a car accident.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed because of the negligent and reckless actions of another motorist, an auto accident attorney from Locks Law can help. With offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, our dedicated and aggressive attorneys are committed to helping victims and their families.

Back to top

Driving Under the Influence

NHTSA reports that in 2006, 41 percent of all traffic fatalities were the result of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of mind-altering substances is a reckless and negligent act that puts lives at risk. In the event of a DUI accident that causes injury or death, the liable party can be held accountable for his or her actions.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a DUI accident that was no fault of your own, an auto accident attorney from Locks Law will do everything possible to see that you receive just and fair restitution. We strongly believe that people who make the willful choice to disregard the safety of other individuals must be held accountable for their actions.

Back to top

Automotive Defects

Vehicle equipment failures can lead to car accidents as well. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident that was a result of a defective product, it may be possible to file a product liability claim with the manufacturer or designer of the car or vehicle part. It is important to contact a qualified auto accident attorney in such cases as a differentiation between improper maintenance and a design or manufacturing defect must first be established in order to obtain compensation. See more detailed treatment of auto defects on our product liability page. A New York, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based auto accident attorney from Locks Law can investigate your case and help you obtain the compensation that you are legally entitled to. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.

Back to top

Road or Highway Design

In some cases, motor vehicle accidents are caused by a defective road design. If a road is lacking proper hazard visibility (such as at cross streets or intersections), constructed of an unsafe road surface, lacks proper road camber (such as an off-ramp with inadequate banking), or lacks proper drainage characteristics resulting in icing accidents, it may be considered a defective road design.

Cities and states also have a responsibility to maintain safe roads for vehicle travel. The variety of weather conditions from state-to-state means that some states have more frequent maintenance issues than others when it comes to road repair. However, the frequency of damage to a road does not exclude state officials from their obligation of providing motorists with safe, well-maintained roads.  Poor road signage may seriously detract from the necessary positive guidance needed by motorist to make rapid decisions in traffic and results in unnecessary crashes.  Debris on the roadways, a build-up of ice and snow, faded or downed road signs, and potholes are all the responsibility of the local or state government.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident that was a result of a poor road design or lack of maintenance, it may be possible to file a claim with the local or state government for negligence. It is particularly important, if you believe you may have a claim against a government agency such as the state transportation authority or a city, that you contact a lawyer as early as possible, as there frequently are requirements of early notice to the government agency that a claim  may be brought. Serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, a Locks Law auto accident attorney can review your claim, give notice to the proper agency and determine the best legal theory to pursue on your behalf.

Back to top

Contact Locks Law to Learn More about Auto Accident Claims

If you would like to schedule a free consultation, contact the attorneys of Locks Law today. Serving New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an auto accident attorney from our firm can review your case free of charge, and help determine who the liable parties are.

Back to top