If you have been in a crash, you may experience serious injuries that leave you unable to perform daily tasks or earn a living. Medical bills can stack up quickly, making it impossible to focus on physical recovery when you are drowning in debt. At Conlon Tarker, P.C., our Clarion County car accident lawyers are prepared to advocate for injured persons. If you or a loved one has recently fallen victim to a crash, our team of legal professionals is prepared to go to battle with the insurance company to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Pennsylvania
A car accident can happen for various reasons, some of which include:
Distracted Driving
Each year, more than 3,200 people are killed in distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving encompasses anything that takes a driver’s mind away from traffic, their eyes off the road, or their hands off the wheel. This may include having a conversation with passengers, eating/drinking, or texting. Completely preventable, distracted driving places all road users at a heightened risk of injury or death.
Fatigued Driving
About 6,400 fatalities occur each year due to drowsy or fatigued driving. Operating a vehicle with only four to five hours of sleep is comparable to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater. Drowsy drivers are shown to have reduced reflexes, impaired judgment, and diminished visual acuity, making them three times more likely to be in a collision.
Driving Under the Influence
A night out with friends can quickly turn fatal if alternative arrangements have not been made to get home. A driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater is four times more likely to cause a crash. Intoxicated drivers have slowed reaction times, reduced coordination, and lack situational awareness, making them a significant hazard on the road.
Speeding
Speeding kills more than 11,000 people annually, with significantly more people suffering serious injuries. In our fast-paced society, speeding is becoming commonplace, with many drivers ignoring posted speed limits. Under Pennsylvania law, a person caught speeding may be charged with a summary offense (a low-level criminal charge), which may result in fines.
Driver Inexperience
Teenagers ages 16 to 19 are at the highest risk of being involved in a car accident compared to any other age group. That’s because young drivers lack the experience to recognize potential hazards or to make quick decisions. Although the Commonwealth requires drivers under 18 to have at least 65 hours of supervised road experience, this is no substitute for real-world experience.
Our Legal Team is Your First Point of Contact
When you contact our firm, you will schedule a consultation with either Ray Conlon, Jeffrey Tarker, or Trey Robinson. During this initial meeting, our car accident lawyers will gather as much information as possible to understand how the crash occurred, your medical treatment, and the damages that you have sustained.
We have investigators ready to examine the accident site. The sooner that our investigators get to the scene, the more likely they are to collect vital information. Our investigators work closely with accident reconstructionists to recreate the crash. This will highlight how the other driver’s actions contributed to the crash, which is essential to helping you obtain compensation.
A thorough investigation lays the foundation for building a strong case. Once this information is supplied to insurance, insurance negotiations can still take several weeks. Effective negotiation will help you secure a fair settlement to cover all accident-related expenses. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible on claims, but our legal team knows how to handle claims adjusters who repeatedly offer low settlements.
Reach Out to Our Clarion County Car Accident Attorneys Today
Car accident injuries can result in lost wages, medical bills, and vehicle damage, destroying both your bank account and happiness. At Conlon Tarker, P.C., our car accident lawyers have a proven track record of representing injured individuals. We do not get paid unless you win. To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or by calling (724) 285-7700 today.
