Motor Vehicle Accidents: Causes and Legal Implications

Car accidents may be a fact of life, but the numbers associated with them are staggering. Over 5,000,000 crashes occur annually. Worse, nearly 40,000 of those collisions are fatal.

Motor vehicle accidents happen for all kinds of reasons, whether due to drunk driving, distraction, speeding, or inexperience. While most of us have accepted the risk of getting behind the wheel, irresponsible drivers must still be held accountable for their negligence.

You’re in the right place if you’re an auto accident victim.. Here, we’ll break down standard collision causes and the legal implications of each.

Distracted Driving

Drunk driving causes many motor vehicles, but you may be surprised that it is only the third leading cause of accidents.

Distracted driving takes the leading spot, and the reason isn’t shocking: We’re a distracted culture—especially when we’re behind the wheel.

Common causes of accidents caused by distracted driving include texting, checking messages, flipping through playlists, driving with loud music, eating, and the list goes on and on.

Distracted driving is highly regulated in most jurisdictions. In Colorado, drivers are prohibited from texting or doing anything manually with their cell phones. The rules are even more strict with minors: Anyone under 18 years of age is prohibited from using a cell phone while driving.

If you are the victim of distracted driving, reach out to us. We can help.

Speeding

Speeding is the second leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. If you were in a car accident that a speeding driver caused, you have the right to pursue legal recourse for your injuries.

In such a case, we recommend contacting an experienced attorney and gathering as much evidence as possible. This evidence includes traffic camera footage, witness statements, medical documents, and anything additional to help prove liability.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Most of us associate DUI incidents with alcohol. While alcohol is undoubtedly a leading culprit, driving under the influence of drugs (even legalized pot) is a severe legal offense. Believe it or not, since recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado, traffic deaths where drivers tested positive for marijuana increased 138%.

In such cases, the driver may face criminal charges. Victims are entitled to pursue criminal restitution and civil compensation.

Reckless Driving

Reckless or aggressive driving is a loose phrase that covers numerous dangerous driving behaviors. These can include speeding, tailgating, weaving between lanes, and more. In Colorado, reckless driving is a serious offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, eight points on your driving record, and fines.

If you are a victim of a reckless driving motor vehicle accident, contact an experienced attorney immediately. We will help you establish liability and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Us For a Free Consultation!

If you're the victim of a motor vehicle accident, Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. can help. We've assisted thousands of people, ensuring they get the money they deserve from insurance companies. Contact us for a free consultation today! We’re here to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries.