How Accidents Happen
We'll make things right after you've been wronged by a negligent driver
Most car accidents happen because of another driver's reckless or negligent actions. When these accidents happen, it's critical that you take action right away to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Some of the most common causes and accidents involving other drivers include:
- Driving Drunk
- Distracted Driving/Texting While Driving
- Fatigued Driving/Asleep at the Wheel
- Rear-End Collisions
- Unsafe Speeds
- Negligent Entrustment
- Uninsured Driving
- Hit and Run
Often, there are telltale signs for each of these types of accidents or causes. But finding these facts can often be extremely difficult. Fortunately, we know where to look and what evidence often makes a dramatic difference in the outcome of a case. And we know how to take all that information and use it as proof that the other driver was responsible for your accident.
At the Law Offices of James Morris, we have decades of experience securing settlements and verdicts for car accident victims. We know what it takes to win in New York courts and we have the case results to prove it. Hold the other driver accountable for his or her negligence. Contact us today for a free evaluation.
Despite decades of public awareness efforts, drunk drivers continue to pose deadly hazards on our roadways. On average, one American dies every half hour due to a drunk driver. In addition to the psychological toll this places on victims' loved ones, drunk driving accidents cause thousands of serious, life-changing injuries each year, including spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and injuries requiring amputation.
Many auto accident victims are unaware of the various categories of damages (financial compensation) that can be pursued in a drunk-driving settlement. For example, under certain circumstances, the party that supplied the alcohol to the driver may share in the liability for the resulting injuries or loss.
We recognize how difficult it can be to recover from a drunk-driving accident. That's why we want to help. Our experienced staff can help you sort through the insurance forms, the medical bills and help you throughout your recovery process.
Distracted Driving/Texting While Driving
In recent years, texting while driving has become an especially well-known cause of auto accidents. Texting motorists put others at risk by taking their eyes off the road to look at a screen, often causing rear-end collisions because they lose sight of the car in front of them.
Fortunately, the State of New York has taken multiple measures to crack down on texting drivers, making all cell phone use while driving a car illegal and even creating special "Texting Zone" locations along state highways. Still, many motorists choose to ignore these laws.
Texting may be the best-known cause of distracted driving accidents, but it's far from the only one. Drivers also cause collisions while they are adjusting the radio, using a GPS device, having conversations with passengers or eating behind the wheel. Every driver has a responsibility to keep his or her eyes on the road. When another driver fails in that responsibility, you need a knowledgeable attorney from our firm who can help you demand justice.
Fatigued Driving/Asleep at the Wheel
Falling asleep at the wheel might seem like a victimless crime. Most of us can relate to someone who's exhausted after a long day at work or a hectic schedule. But the reality is tired drivers have a choice. Instead of taking a break, they chose to continue driving. As a result, they fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into another car.
Tired drivers cause thousands of accidents every single year. If you've been injured in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, contact our law firm. You may be eligible for damages (financial compensation) for your accident. As your attorney, we can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and locate the telltale signs of a driver asleep at the wheel, such as not slowing down before the collision.
While rear-end collisions sometimes happen on the highway, they're more common in stop-and-go traffic on congested roads. They sometimes happen at crosswalks when one car stops for a pedestrian, but the car behind it does not stop. Other times, these accidents happen in parking lots. In recent years, we've seen more and more rear-end collisions involving texting drivers and other distracted drivers.
Rear-end collisions generally don't cause huge amounts of damage, but they can be very tricky from a legal perspective. They often happen at low speeds and insurance companies often argue that no injury occurred as such a speed. Don't let insurance companies push you around. Contact our law firm. We have years of experience handling complicated rear-end car accidents throughout New York State.
Speed limits exist for a reason - to keep everyone safe on the road. Drivers who choose to exceed the speed limit, especially during poor weather, put themselves and others at risk. A speeding car can be more difficult to stop or turn. Going faster also leaves the driver with less time to react to changing circumstances and avoid an accident.
Following an accident, another driver's speeding can be used to establish their liability or reduce your own liability. For instance, if you hit another vehicle, but we can prove that the other driver was speeding and should not have been in your way, the other driver may be found partially at fault. That's just one example of the many different ways we can help you if you're involved in an accident with a speeding driver.
Negligent entrustment of vehicle is a legal term for cases when the owner of a vehicle lends it to an unsafe or unsuitable driver. For instance, the driver borrowing a car may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He or she might be underage, unlicensed or uninsured. A particular driver might even have a reputation for reckless driving that was known - or should have been known - to the owner of the vehicle at the time.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a driver who borrowed a vehicle, you may have a negligent entrustment case against the owner of the car in addition to your case against the irresponsible driver. Hold both parties accountable for their recklessness. Our attorneys can fight for your rights.
All drivers in New York State are required by law to have auto insurance. When motorists choose to break the law and drive without insurance, they put themselves and others at risk. Fortunately, New York has one of the lowest percentages of uninsured drivers in the county. Unfortunately, even if the other driver in an accident has insurance, you still may be responsible for paying your medical expenses if the other driver doesn't have enough coverage for your entire claim.
Fortunately, you have legal options if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. If your own policy has uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to collect from your own insurance company. You may also be able to collect from the other driver's assets - although, practically speaking, drivers without insurance usually don't have many assets to collect. Depending on the circumstances, the uninsured driver may be covered under a family member's or employer's policy.
Cases involving uninsured drivers are often complex. Several different insurance companies and other parties often get involved in the fight over liability. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate all these issues and get you the compensation you deserve.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime in New York, and there's never a good reason to do it. Usually, drivers who crash into another car and flee the scene have a reason for wanting to stay away from law enforcement. They might be intoxicated, driving a stolen vehicle or have an outstanding arrest warrant.
If the other driver in your accident never stopped to exchange information with you, you may think you're out of options. Fortunately, there are ways to recover compensation even if the other driver is never found. By law, your uninsured motorist coverage should protect you - after all, a driver who can't be found is uninsured by default.
However, claims involving hit and run accidents, or "phantom vehicles," can be difficult to prove. A thorough investigation conducted by our legal team is often the best way to build a case and get justice in these scenarios.
