When people think about possible causes of car accidents, they typically consider the actions of drivers and road and weather conditions. Many people do not realize that a loose object inside a vehicle can cause a collision. A driver may become distracted or a pedal may get stuck because of a loose object. That can result in a crash that may have dire consequences for drivers and passengers in another vehicle.
If you were involved in such a collision, you may have been taken to the hospital in an ambulance. You may have been treated for a concussion, whiplash, broken bones, cuts, and other injuries. You may have undergone one or more surgeries and may have additional procedures scheduled in the coming weeks or months. You may be receiving treatment in a rehabilitation facility or may be visiting a physical or occupational therapist or a chiropractor frequently.
Your family may be struggling to cope with the unexpected medical bills. On top of that, you may be unable to work because of your injuries. Doctors may have told you that you will not be able to return to work for several months, or you may have a permanent disability that will make it impossible to perform your old job. You may be trying to figure out how to pay your current bills and how to support your family in the future.
All of this may be taking a heavy emotional toll. You may be having trouble sleeping and concentrating on things you used to enjoy. Your relationships with your loved ones may be suffering from the weight of these sudden and dramatic changes.
A loose object in vehicle accident lawyer may be able to help you seek justice. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who was responsible for the collision. We may be able to secure a financial award to compensate you for your medical expenses to date, costs for future care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Call our office at (844) 730-0233 to learn more about what we may be able to do for you.
How a Loose Object Can Cause a Car Crash
Many people have several loose objects in their vehicle at any given time. Those may include a cellphone, coins, a purse or backpack, a cup or water bottle, and toys that belong to their children or pets. Loose items can cause accidents in two ways.
First, a driver may become distracted. For instance, if a cellphone is lying on the passenger seat and the phone rings or a text is received, the driver may be tempted to look at the phone to see who is calling or who sent a message. If a motorist reaches to pick up an object that has been left in the backseat or that has fallen on the floor or under a seat, the driver may take a hand off the steering wheel, lean to the side, bend down, and not look at the road.
In those types of situations, a motorist may not realize that a car in front has stopped or may not see another vehicle or a pedestrian enter an intersection. That can lead to a collision that can cause severe injuries to another person. Even if the driver is watching the road, being turned in an awkward position with one hand off the steering wheel can make it difficult or impossible to react quickly enough to avoid an accident.
A loose object can also interfere with a person’s ability to drive. For example, a toy or a ball that a child left on the floor in the back may roll forward while a vehicle is in motion. If the object gets lodged under the brake or gas pedal, the driver may lose control of the car and collide with another vehicle.
How a Loose Object in Vehicle Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
Someone who fails to behave with a reasonable level of care is negligent. Motorists have a responsibility to pay attention, to handle their vehicles safely, and to work to avoid accidents. Driving while distracted violates that duty of care and can jeopardize the safety of others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discuss the dangers of taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.
If you were harmed by the negligence of another motorist, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can investigate what happened and seek justice for you. We can begin by reviewing the accident report and statements that you, your passengers, the other driver, and eyewitnesses made shortly after the crash.
If we find that distracted driving caused the collision or that a loose object in the other driver’s car caused him or her to lose control of the vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team may file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. While we are often able to negotiate settlements without going to trial, in some cases, we will take a case to court to obtain an amount of compensation that we believe is fair to our client.
Other Factors That May Affect Your Case
An attorney representing the other driver may claim that you share some of the blame for the accident. For instance, a lawyer may argue that you were traveling above the speed limit and that you would have been able to avoid a collision if you had not been speeding. While that may be true, you may still be entitled to compensation in that type of situation.
Some states have comparative negligence laws that are designed to award victims of personal injuries fair compensation when their own actions contributed to an accident. You may be entitled to a reduced financial award that will account for your amount of liability. The specifics on comparative negligence vary from state to state, and the Insurance Information Institute (III) lists the minimum liability coverage required by each state.
Each state has a statute of limitations on personal injury cases. Victims are required to file a lawsuit within a set period of time. If you miss the deadline, you may be unable to seek compensation for your losses.
Contact a Loose Object in Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, has helped people across the United States who were hurt in motor vehicle crashes. We can investigate the circumstances that led to the collision and work to hold the driver who was responsible accountable for his or her negligence. A member of our staff can explain your legal options and how your state’s laws may affect your case. Call our office today at (844) 730-0233.
