Personal Injury Attorney For Campus Car Accidents
Millions of students attend college every year to master a subject, make connections with like-minded people, and enjoy new experiences. However, with so many people in one place, accidents are bound to happen. In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) ranks traffic accidents as the number one cause of death among teens and young adults. And when considering that most college students either drive, ride in, or commute near cars, this becomes an especially troubling statistic. Even if you don’t personally drive a car on campus, there’s still a possibility that you will be involved in an accident with one.
Being in a car accident is scary and stressful, but this is especially true if it’s the first time. Whether you were the victim or the driver, you have rights that deserve to be protected.
If you or a loved one has been injured — or worse — due to a car accident on campus, it can be a huge relief to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Causes Of Car Accidents On Campus
The density of the population on campus mixed with the high number of pedestrians, bicycles, and scooters can make driving conditions hazardous. Even when the number of vehicles on campus may be low, a car accident can have dire consequences for everyone involved. Some of the most common causes of car accidents on campus include:
- Distracted Driving
- Driving Under The Influence
- Speeding
- Reckless Driving
- Inexperienced Drivers
- Road Rage
- Not Following Traffic Laws
Among these, distractions are the most common reason for car accidents. On a busy campus, there are dozens of potential distractions. Both distracted drivers and distracted pedestrians or bicyclists can contribute to the possibility of an accident occurring. Commuters might be preoccupied for various reasons, including:
- Texting while driving, biking, or walking
- Focusing on a conversation with others
- Engaging in personal grooming (applying make-up, brushing hair, etc.)
- Eating
- Thinking about other things, like an upcoming exam or schoolwork
- Focusing on music
- Using a device to navigate
- Making phone calls
- Daydreaming
While many of us might have engaged in these types of distractions and never caused an accident, the constant traffic flow on campus makes distracted driving particularly dangerous. A few seconds with your eyes off the road is all it takes for your reaction time to become impaired. Even minor distractions can make it difficult to respond to changing road conditions. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for pedestrians and bicyclists to forget to look both ways before crossing a road where a vehicle has the right of way.
Types Of Campus Car Accidents
Because of the various types of commuting on campus, car accidents can happen in multiple ways. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooters are the most susceptible to serious injuries, but drivers of other vehicles can also experience harm. Types of accidents involving cars include the following.
- Rear-ending another vehicle at a stop sign or red light
- Head-on collisions
- Swerving into a pedestrian, bicyclist, scooter, or car
- Pulling out of a driveway or parking lot without checking for traffic
- Driving into a parked vehicle
If you were involved in any type of accident that included a car, you might be eligible for compensation for your losses.
What Happens After A Campus Car Accident
No matter your involvement in the accident, having an experienced car accident attorney in your corner can make a huge difference. Even if you were the driver of the car involved in an accident, there are still aspects that should be examined to determine your liability for the accident. If you were injured or your property was damaged as a result of the accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries, treatments, medical procedures, wage loss, and more. Once you’ve received medical attention, you should seek legal counsel. These professionals will be able to guide you on what steps to take next.
Contact A Gainesville Car Accident Attorney
Whether it was a scooter accident, pedestrian/bicycle accident, or car accident, your rights should be protected. The legal team at Stout Defense, P.A., can assist you in establishing liability and determining how much can be claimed in a legal proceeding. University is stressful enough — don’t stand alone in the event of a student accident.