Center Line Accidents

Massachusetts Lawyer for Victims of Car Crashes

Busy roads and highways without barriers separating traffic moving in opposite directions can be dangerous. Sometimes drivers who are drowsy, drunk, or distracted may begin to veer over the center line, causing a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. If you were involved in a center line accident, then you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Proving that the other driver swerved out of his or her lane and that it was the direct cause of your injuries or a loved one’s death can be difficult, especially if there were no witnesses around at the time of the crash. A skilled Massachusetts car accident attorney at our firm has substantial experience handling vehicle collision cases, and is ready to help you assert your rights.

Why Drivers Fail to Maintain Their Lanes

There are many reasons why a driver may cross the center line on a roadway and cause an accident. One of the most common issues that causes car accidents today is distracted driving. Although cell phones have helped us in many aspects of our daily lives, they also create a huge distraction behind the wheel. Too many drivers turn to their phones to check email, text, make calls, or surf social media when they should be paying attention to the road. Drivers often fail to realize how far of a distance they can travel when they take their eyes off the road for even five seconds.

Another reason that drivers may leave their lanes is intoxicated driving. This can include driving under the influence of alcohol as well as other drugs. Even if someone is taking a prescription drug that his or her doctor provided, that drug may have warnings against driving while taking it. Other drivers who drift out of their lanes may simply be fatigued and falling asleep while driving.

Finally, reckless driving and aggressive driving are other causes of a driver’s failure to stay within his or her lane of travel. If a driver is passing, making erratic lane changes, or exhibiting road rage he or she may travel over the center line in a dangerous manner.

Bringing a Personal Injury Action Against the Person Who Harmed You

If you were injured as a result of a center line accident, you can file a personal injury action to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. A personal injury action requires you to show that the other driver owed you a duty of care, failed to act according to that duty, and that you suffered damages as the direct and foreseeable cause of this breach of duty.

When it comes to motorists, each driver owes other drivers and pedestrians a duty to drive with the same prudent and cautious care that a reasonable driver would use when faced with a similar situation. This involves paying attention to the road, refraining from distracted driving, and not getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. It can be difficult to show that another driver was negligent. One way to achieve this is by obtaining a police report immediately after the accident. You may also need to retain an accident reconstructionist, which is a person who specializes in determining how an accident took place based on evidence regarding the crash. A seasoned car accident lawyer can help you retain an expert witness to assist you in your case.

The final steps of the personal injury action involve showing that you would not have been injured but for the other driver’s careless conduct. If the defendant driver can show that some other factor such as inclement weather, road obstructions, or your own negligence was the substantial cause of the crash, then you may be prohibited from recovering compensation. If you are able to show causation, then the next step involves proving the amount of compensation that you are entitled to receive.

Meet with a Compassionate Car Accident Attorney in Massachusetts

An attorney at our Massachusetts firm is available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Lowell, Waltham, Dedham, Norwood, Somerville, Brookline, Quincy, and Peabody. We understand that you probably have countless questions about your accident, insurance claims, and whether you are entitled to compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call us at  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.