Highway Accidents

Southern California has numerous highways that allow people to travel along the coast and quickly move from one city to another. People tend to drive faster and more aggressively on highways, which often results in accidents. Highway accidents frequently cause substantial injuries and vehicle damage. If you were involved in a highway accident, you may be able to recover compensation for any harm that you suffered due to the accident. Zev Rubinstein is a skilled San Marcos car accident lawyer who can assess the circumstances surrounding your accident and advise you on your potential claims and the damages that you may be owed. Mr. Rubinstein has represented people injured in car accidents in lawsuits in San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Vista for more than 25 years.

Unsafe driving is the most common cause of highway accidents. For example, a driver may be distracted by his or her phone and fail to pay proper attention to the road. Drivers on highways frequently drive faster than the posted speed limit and often follow too closely to the cars in front of them as well. Additionally, accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to use turn signals or check their blind spots before changing lanes.

Highway accidents also can be caused by defects in the highway itself. In other words, if the highway lacks adequate lighting or traffic control devices, or if it has unsafe curves or areas of reduced visibility, accidents can occur regardless of the manner in which people traveling on the highway are driving. Moreover, if a highway is not properly maintained, it can lead to defects in the roadway that can result in accidents.

If a person sustains injuries in an accident in San Marcos, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, or Escondido, he or she may be able to recover compensation from the individual or entity that caused the accident. Regardless of whether an accident was caused by a reckless driver, an unsafely designed road, or a combination of factors, most people seeking damages in a civil lawsuit will allege that their harm was caused by negligence. In California, to prove negligence, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of reasonable care and that the defendant breached the duty. The plaintiff also must show that the defendant’s breach caused the accident and that the plaintiff sustained actual damages in the accident.

In many cases, more than one driver is responsible for causing an accident. Even if a person injured in an accident is partially at fault for causing the accident, however, it does not preclude that person from recovering damages. Instead, any damages that are awarded to the plaintiff are reduced in proportion to his or her fault. If you were involved in a highway accident, a knowledgeable attorney can advise you on your potential claims and the evidence that you need to prove liability.

If a victim of a car accident in Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside, Carlsbad, or Vista successfully proves that the defendant was negligent, the plaintiff may be awarded both non-economic and economic compensatory damages. Economic damages are based on the actual financial losses caused by the accident and can include the cost of any medical treatment, lost earnings, and repairs to damaged property. In contrast, non-economic damages compensate the plaintiff for the pain and suffering caused by the accident. If the plaintiff was married at the time of the accident, the plaintiff’s spouse may be able to recover loss of consortium damages as well.

Highway accidents are a common occurrence, and they often cause lasting harm. If you suffered damages due to this type of accident, you should speak to an attorney regarding your options for seeking compensation. Zev Rubinstein zealously advocates on behalf of his injured clients to help them seek favorable outcomes. Mr. Rubinstein’s office is located in San Marcos, and he is also available by appointment in La Jolla and San Diego. He regularly represents victims harmed in highway accidents in San Marcos, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, and Escondido. You can reach Mr. Rubinstein at 760.804.2790 or via the form online to schedule a meeting regarding your accident.