Being involved in a car accident can be a scary and stressful experience, and unfortunately, a collision can take place at any given moment. While you may seek to avoid a similar outcome by driving defensively and having constant awareness of your surroundings, this might not always be enough.

Even as the safest of drivers, you could be at risk of suffering injury in an accident if you encounter negligent behavior from another driver. Those who exhibit dangerous driving behaviors may inherently increase the chances that an accident will occur, and you might not always be able to spot them in time to steer clear.

Knowing how accidents commonly occur

Although a collision can happen under a multitude of circumstances, some tend to be more common than others are. Some of the most prevalent scenarios in which an accident may take place include the following:

• Driver distraction: Any action that causes you to remove your hands from the wheel or take your eyes off the road can be dangerous, and even a moment of distraction substantially increases the risk a collision will occur.
• Driver impairment: Impairment affects your ability to safely operate a vehicle in various ways, and those who drive while impaired often create unfortunate scenarios.
• Traffic offenses: Excessive speeding and reckless driving are just two examples of behaviors that can prove hazardous, and those who fail to adhere to traffic laws run the risk of placing you and everyone nearby in harm’s way.
• Adverse weather: Maneuvering a vehicle while on wet or slippery roads can be difficult. With winter weather settling in around many areas of Wisconsin, you may find it advisable to use caution when driving in snowy or icy conditions.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident, should another party’s negligent behavior leave you with serious injuries, you might be wondering about the next steps to take to pursue restitution.

Seeking compensation

In addition to your injuries, the collision could also leave you facing extensive hospital bills and a lengthy period of recovery. If the other party is at fault, you may wish to exercise your right to pursue restitution, but the civil justice system can be challenging to navigate. You could choose to consult with someone with intricate experience in such matters, and this type of advice might prove essential to better prepare you to pursue the compensation you deserve through a personal injury claim.