Suffering a serious injury in a car accident is a distressing event, but you may have the opportunity to seek compensation through a civil claim. One of the first steps toward securing the financial recovery you deserve is understanding how the accident happened.
Knowledge of the common causes of car accidents in Mankato can help you and your dedicated auto accident attorney identify who was at fault. In some cases, multiple factors may combine to lead to a crash. Our lawyers are here to support you during every step of the process, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
Oftentimes, driver negligence is the primary cause of a car crash.
One of the most dangerous causes of car crashes is impairment. If a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may be unable to operate their vehicle safely, with their reduced reaction time making it challenging to avoid sudden changes in traffic conditions. Intoxicated drivers tend to make poor decisions and take risks that they may not otherwise take.
While not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted drivers are similar to impaired motorists as they are frequently unable to avoid a collision if traffic ahead of them slows or a car pulls into their path. Distracted drivers who look away from the road for even a few moments are at a higher risk of being involved in a crash..
A common cause of Mankato car accidents is driving at unsafe speeds. Speed limits exist for a reason—it becomes more challenging to control a vehicle the faster it is moving.
Speeding drivers often lose control of their vehicles when rounding turns, either by sliding off the road or overcorrecting a wide turn. Speeding also makes it difficult to slow down or stop soon enough to avoid striking a car stopped at an intersection or roundabout.
If there is the potential for two or more vehicles to enter a space simultaneously, traffic laws determine which driver has priority. For intersections with traffic control devices, this is usually the motorist with a green light. In Mankato, failing to yield the right-of-way to other drivers frequently results in collisions.
If a crash happens because of another driver’s reckless actions, you should not have to bear the consequences alone. Work with us today to ensure the right steps are taken to hold the other driver responsible.
Auto wrecks can also occur due to severe weather conditions or mechanical defects.
No one can control the weather. However, negligent driving in bad weather conditions can increase the risk of a collision, with high-speed driving on wet or snowy roads potentially causing a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
Another common reason for Mankato car accidents that is not related to driver error is a mechanical defect or failure. There may be situations where a driver loses control of their vehicle through no fault of their own, due to defective parts such as headlights, tires, and braking systems.
If a defective part causes a wreck, you may be able to seek damages from the manufacturer. These companies are held to high standards, meaning you may be able to recover an award without providing evidence that they were negligent, though you still have to show that the defect directly caused the crash.
If you were hurt in a car accident, understanding the cause is one of the first steps toward securing financial compensation. The experienced outstate attorneys from Maschka Personal Injury are based in Mankato, but serve the surrounding areas and can help you make a claim. Contact our team today for a free private consultation to discuss the common causes of car accidents in Mankato.
