The urban sprawl of Southern California, high cost of living in metro areas, extended commute times, and lack of reliable, comprehensive public transportation systems make it no surprise highways are the lifeblood of the area. Unfortunately, this dependence on highways like the 215 makes it no surprise that jackknifes, rollovers, pileups and sideswipes often result and bring with them severe injuries and fatalities. These harms are only made more tragic because most highway accidents are avoidable – 80 percent of traffic accidents occur due to some form of distracted driving. If you or a loved one were hurt in a freeway collision in or around Perris, contact a Perris Highway Accident Lawyer to see if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The risks of highway accidents translate to shocking numbers; California’s Office of Traffic Safety reported 340 people in Perris were hurt or killed in traffic accidents in 2017, in addition to an untold number of unreported injury victims. The busy 215 freeway has been the scene of a large number of injuries and fatalities in Perris. One driver was killed Christmas Day 2019 at the 215 and Harley Knox Boulevard, while in 2015 one driver died and 6 people were injured in a rollover crash on the 215. The consequences of crashes on such busy roads means that everyone on the highway needs to exercise extreme caution to avoid collisions and tragic consequences.
What Injuries Can Result from a Highway Accident?
California’s elevated highway speed limits mean that any collision is cause for concern. Even a 5 mile an hour speed limit increase raises the mortality rate in traffic collisions by 8 percent. The potential for serious injury is even higher due to the large number of commercial trucks on the freeway in and around Perris. Victims lucky enough to survive commonly face severe injuries, an inability to return to work, and extended rehabilitation or even a lifetime of care. Victims may suffer injuries like:
- Head injuries,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Whiplash,
- Lacerations,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Paralysis,
- Organ damage,
- Broken bones, and
- Internal bleeding.
Of all injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may be the riskiest for victims. These may be fatal if untreated, but many cases aren’t diagnosed because victims don’t get a medical evaluation after their accident and symptoms of a TBI may not present for days afterwards. There is also no way to diagnose a TBI without a medical evaluation; this is one reason it’s so critical to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible and attend all recommended follow-ups.
How Do I Recover for My Injuries?
Perris highway accident victims often pursue compensation for their injuries by filing a civil lawsuit and arguing they are entitled to damages caused by someone’s negligent behavior. Proving negligence generally involves demonstrating the defendant:
- Owed you a legal duty of care,
- Breached that duty through an act or an omission, and
- Caused your harm as a result of the breach of duty.
In highway accidents, victims may also establish the presumption a defendant behaved negligently if they can show their injuries resulted from someone violating a law, rule, or regulation – this also includes traffic laws prohibiting behaviors like speeding or texting while driving. Examining evidence at the scene of a crash such as skid marks or collecting eyewitness accounts could help prove if the defendant broke a law and greatly strengthen your case for recovery.
Even if you were partly responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, you may still be able to recover at least some damages. California permits the use of comparative negligence when more than one party could be at fault. This concept allows courts to evaluate the facts and assign each party involved a percentage of fault for the accident. Once an award of damages is made, the amount a victim can recover is reduced by their assigned percentage of fault in the accident.
What Is My Case Worth?
It’s normal for victims to wonder how much they can recover for negligently inflicted injuries. Courts may award you damages for your suffering and your losses if they were caused by another party’s negligence. The results of highway accidents are often particularly severe because of the elevated speed limits, increased force of collisions, and large number of commercial trucks traveling the roads with passenger vehicles – it’s not uncommon to see victims facing astronomical medical bills, a temporary or permanent inability to return to work, extended rehabilitation, or even the need for expensive accommodations to live a normal life. Compensatory damages may be awarded to make you whole for physical, financial, emotional, and mental injuries including:
- Medical bills,
- Loss of income and future earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of consortium (companionship), and
- Property damage.
Sometimes, accident victims may receive an additional award of damages to punish a defendant’s vile, reprehensible behavior and to discourage repetition of the egregious conduct by the defendant or others in the future. Punitive damage awards may be large and are completely at the court’s discretion, so victims must meet a high burden of proof to qualify. The strategy required and difficulty of securing these awards means work with a skilled Perris Highway Accident Lawyer is a wise idea.
Speak to an Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were injured during an accident on one of the highways or busy roads intersecting with highways in the Southern California area, you understand how catastrophic the impact of these collisions can be physically, financially, and emotionally. Time is not on your side, so contact the experienced Perris Highway Accident Attorneys at Walton Law, APC to preserve your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our skilled attorneys have spent years delivering comprehensive, dedicated representation for victims just like you and delivering results; we’ve recovered millions in compensation for our clients’ injuries. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or using our online Contact Page to schedule your no risk, no obligation initial case evaluation today. The confidential consultation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let us review your case and use our knowledge and resources to secure the best possible outcome for you from this avoidable, tragic situation starting today.