In a Texas motor vehicle accident, there are numerous factors that may contribute to the crash. The type of vehicles involved, traffic conditions, and the weather all have a significant impact on how serious a motor vehicle accident may be.
Speeding is one of the most frequently cited causes of car accidents. The odds of a fatality increase exponentially with a vehicle’s speed. Younger drivers are much more likely to speed than older drivers, and, due to their inexperience, they are also less likely to know how to handle a hazard on the road while they are driving. These statistics create a dangerous combination.
Analyzing a Crash after It Has Happened
After an accident has happened, it can be difficult to determine its causes. Fortunately, there are experts who put the pieces of a car accident puzzle together to provide clues as to what triggered it. These individuals are called accident reconstruction experts. Reputable Texas personal injury firms have a network of experts they may consult on behalf of their clients.
Accident reconstruction experts study the physical evidence associated with a car accident, such as skid marks, weather conditions, road conditions, photographs, and even the motor vehicle itself. By using specific types of calculations and analysis, these experts may be able to provide the estimated speed of a vehicle at the time of a crash.
Witness testimony is also valuable when estimating the speed at which a car was traveling at the time of an accident. For example, a driver may have noticed the vehicle pass at a high rate of speed just moments before the crash.
The driver’s estimate of how fast the vehicle was traveling may be useful in an analysis of the accident. In fact, such testimony is often admissible in court.
The damage a vehicle has sustained in a crash is also useful evidence in a personal injury case. For example, some parts of a car may not bend or break unless a certain amount of force has been exerted. With this knowledge, experts may be able to calculate the minimum speed a vehicle was likely traveling at the time of an accident.
Camera footage has proven useful in many car accident claims in Texas. More and more businesses have installed surveillance cameras, and dash cams are also rising in popularity. In addition, traffic cameras may capture motor vehicle accidents. Texas car accident attorneys may be able to request this footage and use it as evidence in their clients’ claims.
The Other Driver Was Proven to Be Speeding: Now What?
In Texas motor vehicle accident claims, an injured victim must show that the at-fault driver was negligent to recover any damages. In addition, the injured victim needs to show that the at-fault driver’s negligence was the actual cause of the victim’s injuries.
Once it has been shown that the at-fault driver was speeding and that this speeding caused the accident that injured the victim, the victim may use this information to strengthen his or her claims in a car accident case.
If car accident victims prevail in their case, they may be entitled to a variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
Experienced Texas personal injury attorneys know what types of damages to pursue in a car accident claim. Many accident victims were unaware of how much in damages they were entitled to after an accident. Had these victims not hired an attorney, they would have lost thousands of dollars in damages.
If You Have Been Injured in a Texas Car Accident, Call Patterson Law Group Today
At Patterson Law Group, our attorneys are experienced in all types of accident claims. We have a network of experts who help us determine the causes of an accident so that we may pursue compensation for our clients. To schedule a free consultation with our firm, contact us today.
