As of September 2020, the state of Vermont has already experienced 45 deaths in car accidents on the roads, according to the Vermont State Police. That is more than twice as many for the same period in 2019. The majority of the accidents are alcohol or drug-related.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured on the roads of Vermont in a car accident, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 for a free consultation. Our Vermont car accident lawyers can help you with a civil case to pursue compensation. They will work with you to assess the evidence from your crash and work to help you reach a financial settlement.
Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents are caused by a number of factors. Some causes of car accidents in Vermont can include:
Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every day, there are around 1000 injuries and about nine people who lose their lives due to distracted driving accidents in the United States. This is when a driver is distracted by an activity that steals their attention away from driving the car on the road.
Common distractions are looking at texting or talking on the phone, eating food, drinking while driving, turning to speak to back seat passengers, and road conditions.
By far, in recent years, the use of mobile phones and sending text messages has been one of the most dangerous distractions while driving. Some states are enforcing laws that make it illegal to be holding a phone while driving. Some states allow for exceptions to check phones while in a still position, either at a stop light or on the side of the road.
Alcohol Impaired Driving
Under 23 V.S.A. § 1201, it is illegal to drive if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over 0.08 when driving a personal vehicle, over 0.04 when driving a commercial vehicle, and over 0.02 when driving a school bus. If the other driver has been proven to be under the influence, which in turn caused your accident, then they may be charged with criminal penalties. However, you can still pursue a civil lawsuit for your injuries and losses.
Driving During Winter
The Vermont State Police reports that accidents driving during the winter months is another cause of car accidents in Vermont. Crashes can happen on slippery mountain roads that are snow-covered or covered with black ice. Drivers going too fast or possibly being impaired can cause a dangerous car accident for their own car or others nearby.
If you have been injured in an accident with any of these causes listed above or others, and the other driver is at fault, then consider contacting Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for our Vermont car accident lawyers’ legal assistance.
Types of Awards
It is important that you do not continue to suffer from your injuries and losses from the car accident. Receiving awards can help you with your recovery.
Some of these awards can include:
- Medical care
- Loss of wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Wrongful death
The other driver should reimburse you for your treatment and other injuries and losses you have suffered as a result of the accident.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 223-5115
At-Fault Driving
Vermont police follow a traditional at-fault basis for determining driver blame from an accident. If the other driver is found to be at fault, then it will be that person’s financial responsibility for any and all losses due to the car accident. This could include personal injuries to other drivers and passengers, property damage to the other vehicles, and loss of income due to personal injuries, and more.
If you have been seriously injured from a Vermont car accident and need some help on how to proceed, you can:
- file a claim with your own insurance company (if you have personal injury coverage). Then your insurance company may be able to pursue a claim against the insurer of the at-fault driver
- file a claim on your own with the insurance carrier of the at-fault driver, or
- enlist the help of Vermont car accident lawyers to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf against the driver who has been found to be at-fault
Suffering injuries in a car accident can be the start to a personal injury claim against another driver. We can negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company about how those injuries have harmed you with medical costs, loss of income, mental anguish, and more.
Statute of Limitations in Vermont
Under 12 V.S.A. § 512, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. You have two years to file for wrongful death, under 14 V.S.A. § 1492. Be sure to file before the statute of limitations ends, because your claim may be denied if you do not file in time.
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Vermont Car Accident Lawyers from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help You Today
Seeking potential compensation in a civil lawsuit against an at-fault driver is usually only recommended for accidents involving personal injuries, with harmful damage to both the physical and emotional states of the driver and passengers. Vermont car accident lawyers can offer information and legal advice that may lead you to a possible settlement from the at-fault driver.
If you are interested in speaking to a Vermont car accident lawyer about your legal rights in a car accident, then reach out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 223-5115.
Call or text (800) 223-5115 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form