Santa Barbara Two-Vehicle Crash on Highway 154
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara car accident lawyer. A collision on Monday, May 15, along Highway 154 was reported by the California Highway Patrol, which resulted in major damage to one of the vehicles. While paramedics were summoned to the crash site, no information is available at this time as to whether the occupants of the vehicles suffered injuries in the collision.
What Happened
The crash happened near the entrance for Lake Cachuma along Highway 154 westbound where it connects with Lakeview Drive. Two vehicles, a Mercedes Benz and Hyundai Accent, both white in color, collided at around 12:30 p.m. Major damage was reported to the rear-end of the Hyundai as a result. However, no details were supplied about the particulars of the accident. It is currently under investigation by authorities to determine liability and cause.
Common Reasons for Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed a study of the common reasons for motor vehicle accidents. Some people might be surprised that the number one reason for these accidents is distracted driving. With one death and 1,161 individuals injured on a daily basis, the instances of this type of accident can be lowered. By leaving a cell phone turned off while in the car, focusing on the road and avoiding other negligent behavior such as eating while behind the driver’s wheel, it can reduce the risk. Other reasons for accidents include drunk driving and reckless driving such as speeding, driving aggressively or ignoring traffic signals.
Accident Injuries
When a driver or passenger in the vehicle is injured in an accident, medical bills and prescription costs can pile up quickly, and this is compounded by lost wages for a potentially extended period. The injured person may require help at home after being released from the hospital to take care of everyday tasks or to attend to their needs. This is when an experienced personal injury attorney can help. The costs associated with the injury can be recovered.
What If the Accident Was Partially My Fault?
While sometimes a car accident is clearly the fault of the other driver, drivers may share some of the responsibility if both were partially negligent. Say, for example, one driver was driving over the speed limit when the other vehicle made an illegal turn and crashed into you. In California, the money paid by the other driver or his/her insurance company is reduced by the percentage of fault that was determined to be yours. If you were 20 percent liable for the accident, you would still receive 80 percent of the settlement in a lawsuit.
Attorney Ed Smith
Santa Barbara Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara car accident lawyer. An accident caused by negligence can devastate someone’s life and cause long-lasting harm, both physically and financially. For advice that is free and friendly, call me at (805) 372-0200 or (800) 404-5400 to have your questions answered.
The Million Dollar Advocates is a group I am a California member of, which only allows admittance of trial attorneys with at least $1 million in verdicts and settlements to join.
It can be difficult deciding who to call for help when you have been injured in an accident. Seeing reviews by a lawyer’s clients and peers can help you make up your mind. Find mine at Google, Avvo and Yelp. In addition, you are welcome to look over the previous Verdicts & Settlements for some of my former clients.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/accident-hit-and-run-crime-traffic-1497295/
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