Whether commuting to work, taking a road trip, or running errands, you’ll likely find that you must take a highway to get where you need to go. For many, even experienced drivers, this can be a source of anxiety. However, they are often unavoidable. Unfortunately, accidents on highways are nothing unheard of, and many drivers can become injured as a result. Understanding the most common types of collision that occur on these roadways is crucial to staying alert and protecting yourself. If you are injured, you must contact car accident attorneys to discuss your legal options. The following blog explores what you should know about these crashes.
On highways, what accidents occur most frequently?
By far, the most common kind of collision that occurs on highways is a rear-end crash. This happens when the front end of one vehicle collides with the rear end of the car in front of it. Whether the following driver isn’t paying attention, attempting to “tailgate,” or riding too closely to the vehicle in front of it, these accidents occur. Generally, the driver at the back of the accident is to blame, as they must maintain a safe following distance to ensure they have time to break.
On highways, switching lanes is often necessary to get to where you need to go. However, you must take the necessary steps to merge into different lanes safely. If a driver does not look before switching lanes, they can side-swipe another vehicle in the process. Drivers must use their directional to indicate their intent to merge and check their blindspot for vehicles traveling next to them. Failure to do so can result in a collision with the vehicle in the next lane.
Collisions do not only occur between two drivers. In some instances, a driver may collide with the concrete or metal barrier on a highway. While it can be caused by a distracted or negligent driver, these collisions can also result from a defect in the vehicle. For example, if the breaks fail, a driver may swerve to avoid slowing traffic, thus colliding with the barrier.
What kind of damages can I recover?
If injured in a collision on the highways caused by a negligent driver or defective vehicle, it’s essential to understand the compensation you can recover for the damages you’ve suffered. Most commonly, you can receive economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are any actual monetary losses you’ve endured, such as medical bills or lost wages from time missed from work. Non-economic damages are more subjective and include things like pain and suffering, humiliation, or loss of enjoyment of life. These can be harder to prove, so it’s imperative to ensure you have an attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Friedman Schumnan, we understand how complex these collisions can be. However, our team is committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve from the negligent party responsible for your injuries. Connect with our team today to learn how we will fight for you.
