You may have heard of the term “rubbernecking,” when motorists change their driving behaviors in order to gaze at the scene of an on-road or roadside accident. Doing this may be a form of distraction, may slow down traffic, and could actually cause another accident to occur. A motorist who is paying attention to a crash site is not paying adequate attention to:
- The road ahead of them
- The movements of vehicles around them
- Possible hazards alongside the roadway
- Their own speed or vehicle movements
A truck driver who caused you or a loved one to be injured because they were looking at a crash site may be liable for your losses. Reach the team of a Los Angeles truck accident caused by current crash site lawyer today by calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 223-5115.
Rubbernecking Is Distracted Driving
The phenomenon of rubbernecking is undeniable. Even from your own anecdotal experience, you may have been stuck in traffic, passed by an accident on the side of the road, and wondered how traffic could have reached such a stand-still when the road was cleared.
Certain times, if not oftentimes, the problem may be rubberneckers. In fact, it is its own form of distracted driving.
When a motorist does not have all of their attention squarely on operating their vehicle in a safe manner, they may be guilty of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that distracted driving caused 2,841 deaths in 2018, along with approximately 400,000 injuries.
Motorists who turn their head or avert their eyes from the road to look at a crash site may:
- Veer into an adjacent lane
- Veer off of the road
- Overcorrect their steering and cause an accident
- Crash into the rear of a vehicle in front of them
- Unwittingly slow down in a way that is dangerous
Looking at another accident scene while driving is a choice, and it is one that may have led to you or a loved one being seriously injured or killed. You have the right to hire a lawyer after an accident caused by a motorist ogling a crash site, as their distracted driving may qualify as negligence.
Negligence May Result in Compensation For You
Negligence may be a standard for liability when a motorist’s behavior causes injury or death, as per the American Bar Association (ABA). A rubbernecking motorist may have been negligent because, even if they did not intend to cause your accident, the act of gazing at an accident rather than the road might have been a foreseeable cause of the collision.
Your lawyer may make the case that you are the victim of negligence by:
- Showing that the rubbernecking motorist had a duty of care to operate their vehicle responsibly, as all motorists do
- Proving that they violated their duty of care by rubbernecking
- Establishing that their violation of the duty of care caused your collision
- Showing that the losses you have suffered are because of your collision
A Los Angeles truck accident caused by current crash site lawyer’s directive may be to hold those who are liable for your truck accident in Los Angeles responsible for the harm that they have caused you. In doing so, they may also prove that you are entitled to compensation from those responsible parties.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for additional details about how we can lead your case for awards.
Hiring a Lawyer May Not Cost Anything Out-of-Pocket
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm works on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that:
- They charge no hourly rate
- They charge no upfront fee
- They get paid only if you win
- Their fee comes as a percentage of any settlement or judgment they win for you
- You do not have to pay for your legal services upfront or out of your own pocket
Contingency fees may provide numerous benefits to you as a client. A lawyer who works for a contingency fee has a clear reason to fight hard for a positive outcome to your case, as they only receive payment for their efforts if your case is successful.
Additionally, a lawyer may accept your case only if they truly believe that it is a potential winner, as they would not be spending their time or resources wisely if not.
What a Lawyer May Do for You
A lawyer may take several steps as they work towards the goal of winning your case. They may initially speak with you or an affected loved one about the accident that caused injuries. They may also collect any documents in your possession, such as a police report, which may provide greater context for your accident.
Once they have conceived a strategy and spoken with you about how they may seek compensation, your lawyer may:
- Dispatch professionals to collect further evidence and documentation of your accident
- Speak with any eyewitnesses to your accident
- Determine who they believe is at fault for your losses
- Document your injuries
- Document damage to your vehicle and any other losses that you have suffered
- Hire any experts who can help with your lawsuit
A lawyer may ultimately fight for the compensation you deserve through settlement negotiations. They will assess offers for fairness and may ultimately determine whether it is in your interest to accept a settlement or proceed to trial.
A lawyer will also defend your rights throughout the legal process.
For a free legal consultation with a Current Crash Site Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understands the devastation that a truck accident can cause, and we do not shy away from tough cases. We will make the case that a rubbernecking motorist caused harm to you or a loved one, and we will fight for any compensation that you deserve.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 about why hiring a Los Angeles truck accident caused by current crash site lawyer may be beneficial.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form