College is an exciting time for students, as they have been preparing for years to get to this point. There are several universities in the Torrance area, including El Camino College, Cypress College, and California State University-Los Angeles. College campuses are notorious for having a combination of high foot traffic and high vehicle traffic, which increases the risk of college campus car accidents.
If you’re involved in a college campus car accident, knowing the steps to take to protect your rights is crucial. As a college student, handling a car accident case can be very stressful. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you gather evidence, identify the liable parties, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Call our Torrance personal injury law firm today at (424) 571-4994 for a free consultation.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident on or near a college campus, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Get to safety: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe, well-lit location and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Call the police: Call 911 to report the accident and ensure you get a police report for your records.
- Report the accident to campus authorities: Notify campus security, as they are the first responders on campus. Many colleges request that accidents occurring on campus be reported to their security department.
- Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to get a medical evaluation. Make sure you document your injuries and follow your prescribed treatment plan.
- Exchange information: Gather information for the other driver(s), including full names, contact details, driver’s licenses, and insurance information. Avoid admitting fault or discussing specifics about the accident with the other party.
- Document the car accident scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene from multiple angles. Capture details such as vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, skid marks, broken glass, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information and if they are willing to provide a statement.
- Consult with a car accident lawyer: It’s advisable to consult with a car accident attorney, especially if you sustained injuries or significant property damage. An attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance companies and recover fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Who Is Liable if I Was Injured in a College Campus Car Accident?
Knowing who may be liable, the impact of sovereign immunity laws, and the types of damages you may be able to recover in a car accident case is crucial.
The following parties may be liable in a college campus car accident:
- Other drivers: If another driver was negligent, such as by speeding, drunk driving, or texting and driving, they could be held liable for your injuries.
- College or university: The institution may be liable if the accident was caused by poor maintenance of campus roads, inadequate signage, or other dangerous conditions.
- Campus security or maintenance staff: In cases where the negligence of campus employees contributed to the accident, the school may be held responsible under certain circumstances.
- Third parties: Liability may extend to other parties, such as contractors working on campus whose negligence led to unsafe road conditions.
What Is Sovereign Immunity?
Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that states that a sovereign or state is immune from a civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution. This doctrine typically applies to federal and state governments but can also include public universities funded by the government.
Public University
Public universities usually fall under sovereign immunity, meaning they have a similar immunity as a government entity. This makes it more challenging to file a car accident claim against a public university unless the school was acting deliberately negligent.
Private University
Private universities, being privately owned and operated, do not fall under the protection of sovereign immunity. Therefore, victims who sustained injuries on a private university campus may be able to sue for damages, depending on the accident circumstances.
Factors That Can Impact a Car Accident Case
Several factors can influence a car accident case on a college campus. Serious injuries often lead to higher compensation due to extensive medical treatment and the long-term impact on the victim’s life. Liability determination has a significant impact on a personal injury case. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine the viability of your case and calculate your damages.
Factors that can influence a car accident case include:
- The severity of the injuries
- If liability is disputed
- The severity of the property damage
- Medical bills and extensive medical treatment
- Impact on the victim’s daily life
- Insurance policy limits
- If the car accident case goes to court
- The insurance company’s willingness to settle
Seeking Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim
Car accidents are a leading cause of death among college students. In 2021, there were 4,285 traffic fatalities in California, a 7.6% increase from the previous year. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), of full-time college students ages 18 to 22, about 49% drank alcohol, and 28.9% engaged in binge drinking in the past month. In 2022, the groups with the highest percentage (29%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes were 21–24 and 25–34 years old.
Seeking compensation after a car accident that involved injuries involves filing a personal injury claim, which is a legal process to recover damages from the party at fault. This may include filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or directly pursuing legal action against the liable party. A Torrance personal injury attorney can help you pursue damages and hold the other party accountable for their negligence.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Car Accident Case?
In a personal injury claim, injured victims may seek compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy costs
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
Ensure you gather documentation, such as medical records, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and police reports. You may also need to demonstrate the impact of the accident on your academic and personal life, including missed classes or dropped courses. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate this process, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit on your behalf to recover fair compensation.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a college campus accident caused by another person’s negligence, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer. At South Bay Accident Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping personal injury victims obtain justice.
Our Torrance auto accident lawyers maintain a 99% success rate and have successfully maintained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay any upfront legal fees. If we don’t win your case, you will owe us nothing. Call us today for your free consultation.
