Leading Causes of Fatal Car Accidents and How an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

November 22, 2024

Car accidents are probably inevitable in a city the size of Indianapolis – and not everyone walks away from them.  In fact, automotive injury is the second most common source of death for Americans under age 45, though compensation could be available from the parties at fault.  Join us as we discuss the leading causes of fatal car accidents and how an Indianapolis car accident lawyer can help mourners get justice. 

Top Factors in Lethal Car Accidents 

Every car accident is unique, though there are certain factors that are frequently associated with lethal car accidents in the United States, such as: 

• Intoxication – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is incredibly illegal and profoundly foolish, yet intoxication behind the wheel continues to contribute to upwards of 13,000 casualties nationwide each year.

• Driving too fast – Drivers who speed have less time to react yet require more time to stop, a potentially catastrophic combination.  Driving too fast can increase the likelihood and the severity of a collision, as evidenced by the 10,000 to 12,000 deaths annually that are linked to speeding.   

• Inclement weather – While nobody can control the weather, drivers still have a duty to modify their behavior during inclement conditions that reduce traction and visibility, such as heavy rain, sleet, and snow.  Unfortunately, many shirk this duty, for which more than 5,000 motorists per year pay the ultimate price.

• Distracted driving – Nearly 3,500 vehicle occupants are mortally injured on a yearly basis by drivers who neglect to keep their eyes on their road and their minds on the task at hand.  Distracted driving has long been a major concern in this country, and it has grown into an epidemic with the rise of smartphones, which are among the biggest contemporary drains on driver attention. 

• Drowsiness – Driving when you are drowsy can be as dangerous as driving when you are drunk.  One study found that going more than 20 hours without sleep can induce the same impairment as having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent, and around 800 people die every year when drivers succumb to this level of fatigue. 

How an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney Could Make a Difference 

The unexpected loss of someone you love is one of the most painful events imaginable, and the pain can be so much sharper when a cherished individual is taken from you by the thoughtless acts of a thoughtless actor. 

To make matters worse, you may soon encounter stiff opposition if you try to ease the financial burden of a sudden passing with a wrongful death claim, both from the insurers for those responsible for that loss and from the statutory restrictions placed on these kinds of claims.  However, if a close family member has been killed in Indianapolis traffic, hiring a knowledgeable Indianapolis car accident attorney could make a difference. 

Once retained, your lawyer will launch a comprehensive investigation to identify everyone who may be culpable for the deceased’s car accident, then establish valid claims against all of them.  Your attorney will also move swiftly to amass proof of their guilt, such as: 

• Police reports 

• Citations and dispositions 

• Crash site photos 

• Dash cam, streetlight, and surveillance footage 

• Black box data 

• Witness statements 

• Phone records 

• Driving histories 

• Vehicular servicing logs 

• Forensic analysis and accident reconstruction 

After putting together the strongest case possible, your Indianapolis car accident lawyer will endeavor to negotiate a settlement that reflects the entirety of the applicable damages, including: 

• Medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses  

• Cessation of monetary support 

• Loss of love and companionship (when permitted) 

• Psychological treatment 

• Punitive damages (if relevant) 

Though personal injury cases are often resolved outside of the courtroom, a trial may be necessary if you are squaring off against an obstinate insurance adjuster or if the stakes are especially high, as they generally are when somebody has died.  If that should happen, a seasoned litigator will become indispensable, since plaintiffs who represent themselves in court only win about four percent of their cases.   

In contrast, plaintiffs with professional representation are statistically favored to prevail, and your attorney might even manage to convince a receptive jury to award you the funds you need to live the life that your loved one would have wanted for you. 

Reach Out to Our Dedicated Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers 

Hensley Legal Group has been standing up for the innocent victims of negligence since the firm first opened its doors in 1998.  If your world has been turned upside down by the effects of a collision in the Indianapolis area, reach out to our dedicated Indianapolis car accident lawyers to explore your legal options. 

To schedule a free case review with a skilled Indianapolis car accident attorney, you can call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form today.