Each time you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are at risk of being involved in an auto accident. Some accidents are caused by the negligent actions of drivers, others are merely accidents caused by adverse road conditions or other natural hazards.
Line-of-sight auto accidents are also common. A line-of-sight accident occurs when there is something obstructing the driver's view. Obstructions can prevent you from seeing a pedestrian, oncoming vehicle, or another hazard before it's too late to avoid a collision.
If you sustained injuries in a line-of-sight accident, you may be wondering how the obstruction will affect your personal injury lawsuit.
Here are the answers to some common questions related to line-of-sight auto accident lawsuits to help you better understand how to approach your own personal injury case in the future.
How do Line-of-Sight Accidents Happen?
A line-of-sight accident occurs when the vision of one or more drivers is obstructed. The obstruction can cause a driver's vision to be blocked completely or leave the roadway only partially visible.
Line-of-sight accidents most commonly occur on corners, near driveways where vehicles are parked along the side of the street, and near medians.
By knowing where a line-of-sight accident is most likely to occur, you can be extra vigilant when driving in these areas to help prevent a collision from occurring.
Who Is Responsible for Damages in a Line-of-Sight Accident?
One of the most critical tasks you and your attorney will undertake when preparing for your personal injury case is defining exactly how your line-of-sight accident occurred. This information is imperative when it comes to assigning fault.
Fault plays a major role in determining who is responsible for damages in a personal injury case.
Many drivers believe that because they didn't put the obstruction in the roadway, they can't be held liable for damages caused in a line-of-sight accident. This isn't always true. Drivers have a responsibility to exercise caution when operating a motor vehicle.
If you move out into oncoming traffic without being able to see clearly, a judge could feel that you acted negligently. If poor road design, improper road signage, or untrimmed foliage caused your line-of-sight accident, the blame could lie with the party responsible for allowing the obstacle to remain in the roadway.
Your attorney will need to gather evidence from the scene of your accident and any witnesses in order to help determine fault in your case.
Is Filing a Line-of-Sight Personal Injury Lawsuit Worthwhile?
Anytime you sustain injuries in an auto accident, you should retain the services of an attorney to help you protect your rights.
Line-of-sight accidents can be particularly damaging. Since these accidents are inherently caused by drivers not being able to see one another, line-of-sight collisions can happen at a higher rate of speed because drivers don't have the time to slow down before impact.
The faster two cars are going when they collide, the more serious the injuries each driver or passenger sustains could be.
You will need to work with an attorney who has experience handling auto accident personal injury cases when you are involved in a line-of-sight accident. If your attorney is unable to prove that the fault for your accident lies with either the other driver or the people responsible for the obstruction, you will be left without access to financial help.
An experienced attorney knows how to gather evidence and build a convincing case that can help you win your personal injury lawsuit.
Only your attorney will be able to explain how the specifics of your case will affect the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit. Work with an attorney now to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for a line-of-sight accident.