Evansville Driver Error Attorneys

According to a 2016 NHTSA report, driver error accounts for about 94 to 96 percent of all car crashes in the United States. In 2016 alone, 37,461 people were killed in car crashes. A majority of those killed lost their lives to driver error on the roadways.

What exactly constitutes driver error? Driver error is a broad category of driving behaviors that takes a person’s attention away from focusing on their vehicle and puts it somewhere else. There are a wide variety of reasons that driver error could cause an accident. Here are a few of the most common:

• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Ignoring traffic signs and laws
• Wrong-way driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Drunk or impaired driving

It is a common misconception that the human brain can effectively “multi-task” or work on multiple problems at the same time. Many researchers are pointing out the myth of multi-tasking. What does this mean when it comes to driver error? It means that drivers are not adequately able to take appropriate action to avoid hazards or unexpected situations when they are also engaged in another task. This is exactly why the number one reason for serious car accidents is driver error.

Driver Related Reasons for a Car Crash

The driver-related reasons for a car crash can be broken down into several categories. These categories include recognition error, decision error, performance error, and non-performance error.

• Recognition error – These errors account for 41 percent of accidents, according to the National Highway Safety Administration. This category of errors includes a driver’s inability to pay attention due to both internal and external distractions.
• Decision error – This type of error factors into about 33 percent of driver-error accidents. A decision error would include driving too fast for the road conditions, not recognizing or correctly assuming other drivers’ actions, misjudgment the traveling distance behind a car, or illegal maneuvers.
• Performance error – A performance error accounts for about 11 percent of accidents and includes overcompensation and poor control of the vehicle.
• Non-Performance error – The most common non-performance error responsible for car crashes is sleep.

The one thing all these errors have in common is the fact that these behaviors are completely preventable. Drivers don’t have to text while driving, or drive a car while exhausted and fall asleep. They don’t have to speed, fly through a red light, or eat behind the wheel.

If you’ve been involved in an accident that has left you seriously injured because of driver error, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced lawyer with Chapman Injury Lawyers will be able to review your case and discuss your legal options.

Indiana Car Accident Fault Laws

When it comes to car accidents, Indiana is considered a “fault” or “at-fault” state. That simply means that if a victim is injured in a car accident, they have a number of options available to them to seek compensation. They can file a claim with their own insurance, file a claim directly with the other driver’s insurance company, or they are able to go to court and seek damages through the legal system.

A lawyer who is experienced at handling serious car-accident cases can help advise you what your best course of action would be. While it may seem easier to go through an insurance company, they may not be willing to pay what you deserve in order to cover all your medical bills and damage to your property. An attorney doesn’t always have to go to court for you, they may be able to help you negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation.

The state of Indiana is also a comparative fault state when it comes to accidents. A comparative fault rule means that the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to can be impacted by how much fault they share in the accident. If you are found to share 10 percent of the blame for causing an accident, then the amount of damages you can be awarded will be reduced by 10 percent. You are still able to collect compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for causing or contributing to an accident.

One more Indiana law that you need to be aware of is the time limit, or statute of limitations, on filing an accident injury claim. You only have two years from the date of the car accident to file a legal claim. While you may be injured and still sitting in the hospital, the clock is already winding down. If you wait too long to seek legal help to recover the compensation you are losing your right to have a court hear your case.

The legal process can run you around in circles, that’s why you need a seasoned accident attorney to help you maneuver your way through it. Chapman Injury Lawyers helps victims get the compensation they need to pay down expensive medical bills and replace their damaged vehicle. You don’t have to get weighed down my medical debt when you’ve been in an accident, when you have Chapman Injury Lawyers working for you.

What Type of Compensation Could I Be Entitled to?

That depends on the circumstances of your case and if you could be at fault for any portion of the accident. An attorney with experience handling driver-error car accident claims can give you a more accurate idea of what to expect. Typically, a victim may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include things like damaged property, medical bills, or future medical expenses, to name a few. Pain and suffering would be an example of non-economic damage.

Again, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney is the best way to determine what compensation you may be entitled to. An attorney will also be able to give you the best options available to fight for that compensation, whether it be taking on the insurance company or deciding to go to court. You don’t have to get weighed down my medical debt when you’ve been in an accident, when you have Chapman Injury Lawyers working for you.

How Can Chapman Injury Lawyers Help Me After an Accident?

At Chapman Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record of helping car accident victims just like you. We fight for what is right and fair. No one deserves to be buried in medical debt because of a driver error, especially when the error wasn’t yours. The last thing you should have to worry about is how you are going to pay for your treatment. Your focus should be on your recovery. That’s why we focus on fighting for your rights. The other driver needs to be held accountable and we can help do that.

Contact Chapman Injury Lawyers at (812) 461-6261 in order to schedule a free consultation where we can discuss all the details of your case. We strongly believe in what we do, that’s why we represent people on a no recovery-no fee basis. We handle all the upfront costs of dealing with the insurance company or going to court. You don’t owe us anything until we win your case. Call (812) 461-6261 now and let us help you get back to where you belong.