Auto Accident Law 101
A Restaurant Drive-Thru Is Surprisingly Dangerous
Everett Cook
When you are driving through a drive-thru, the last thing you might expect is for a vehicle to crash into you from behind. However, this is a surprisingly common incident and can even lead to injuries under rare circumstances.
Why Drive-Thrus?
Some drivers will be distracted when going through the drive-thru as they fumble for their wallets or when they are looking at the menu. Other drivers might find themselves in accidents as they pull out of the drive-thru and onto the road. Finally, some drivers might become confused and go the wrong way while using the drive-thru.
Rear-End Accidents
You might be in a rear-end accident. In this case, the driver who strikes you from behind will almost always be considered to be at fault. You may also be able to show that the driver was speeding with the help of witnesses and surveillance footage. Rear-end accidents can lead to injuries such as whiplash and emotional trauma.
Poor Navigation
Some drive-thrus are designed in a manner that is very confusing, and both drivers may be partially at fault for the accident. The company that designed the drive-thru might also be responsible, especially if there are signs that are mislabeled. Therefore, you might be able to take legal action against the restaurant itself.
To prove that the restaurant is responsible for the accident, you should take photographs of the scene of the accident so you can paint a clear picture of why the accident occurred. If there are any witnesses to the accident, make sure to ask for their contact information and ask them if they would like to serve as witnesses.
Injuries Caused by a Drive-Thru Accident
Regardless of the cause of the accident, you will want to immediately receive a checkup to make sure that you have not suffered an injury. The accident might seem minor, but failing to receive a checkup and failing to pursue the necessary medical treatment can lead to your case possibly being dismissed or can at least lead to a lower settlement.
Insurance providers will do everything they can to reduce how much they are forced to pay you. If you do not receive treatment immediately, the insurance provider might argue that you are not as injured as you claim. Therefore, you will need a car accident lawyer who is a tough negotiator and who can gather the evidence necessary to prove that. Contact a car accident lawyer in your area to learn more.
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After being involved in a serious auto accident with a drunk driver, I struggled heavily with getting the driver's insurance company to open a claim. When the insurance company started pushing back, I knew I needed to do something. I spent a lot of time digging through the laws surrounding auto accident claims so that I knew what my legal rights were. I even talked with an auto accident attorney. I created this site to teach others about what I learned, including my court experience. I hope it helps you to determine how you should proceed with your auto accident case.