Student Rights and Legal Recourse After a College Campus Car Accident

Do You Have Legal Recourse if Injured in an Accident on a College Campus?

A vehicle accident injury occurring on a college campus can lead to very serious physical and emotional consequences. The medical bills, emotional anguish, and loss of quality of life can significantly alter the course of life. It is vital to understand your options for legal recourse and how to seek full compensation. 

What Are the Most Common Injuries Occurring in Campus Car Accidents?

College campuses are not always the safest places to drive and present a range of potential hazards. College students often tend to consume too much alcohol and may drive intoxicated, posing a risk to others sharing the road. Young drivers often text while driving or are engaged in a range of distracted driving behaviors, whether conversing, eating, grooming, or even watching videos while behind the wheel. The NIH issues statistical facts regarding the staggering number of vehicle accidents on campus – this is not a minor issue, with alcohol-related accidents the most common.

A college campus car accident can lead to the need for medical care and treatment at a high cost. Determining whether the college, the driver, or another party has legal responsibility for what occurred is necessary. This action requires the assistance of a personal injury attorney with a breadth of experience in serious car accident claims and lawsuits with exceptional skill in negotiating the terms of a settlement and in court. At The Scott Pryor Law Group, a serious car accident case will be managed by one of the top trial attorneys in the nation.

Who is Liable?

Determining the liable parties demands a professional investigation of all evidence associated with the vehicle accident. The evidence must be fully reviewed to identify all liable parties. The liable parties could include the college, college security, college police, the driver, or several parties, based on the facts in the case. 

Catastrophic Injuries from a Car Accident on a College Campus

A catastrophic injury is an injury that inflicts severe bodily harm or leads to permanent disabilities. These injuries are life-altering and may require a lifetime of medical care. These injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disfiguring injuries, severe burns, amputations, and others. The costs associated with treatment can range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars within weeks. 

The injured individual may recover with time or may need a lifetime of care. The pain and suffering in these cases is given a dollar value, often the largest portion of the compensation paid. It is of utmost importance to ensure that any settlement offer reflects the full scope of the changes in lifestyle, quality of life, and earning ability, now and in the future, as well as the emotional anguish suffered by the victim. With the assistance of a talented litigator, you can trust that every type of compensation will be pursued.

How is Compensation Pursued in a College Campus Injury Accident?

In some cases, a settlement offer comes from the insurance provider of the liable party. Unfortunately, settlement offers are frequently far lower than the injured individual could achieve when represented by an attorney who understands what each type of loss is worth in dollar terms. If you or a loved one has been offered a settlement, it is imperative to have your case reviewed by a lawyer who can advise you regarding the actual value of your case. Your attorney could negotiate better terms with an insurance company, or if a fair offer is not forthcoming within a reasonable time, file a lawsuit to seek full compensation for all damages. 

What Damages Can Be Pursued?

The damages paid in a settlement or in court cover several types of losses, including:

• Economic damages: These are the financial losses associated with the injuries, including medical bills, transportation, medications, loss of income from work, future financial losses due to reduced earning capacity, and other actual financial losses.
• Non-economic damages: These damages are paid to compensate a victim for any loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and other personal losses.
• Punitive damages: Some injuries occurring on a college campus have been proven to involve willful misconduct, conscious indifference to the consequences to another party, or malice. In cases involving such egregious forms of conduct, punitive damages may be pursued.

The Scott Pryor Law Group is Here to Help

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured while present on a college campus, you need a law firm you can trust to go the distance for you. The first step is to speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss what occurred. At The Scott Pryor Law Group, we have a reputation for legal excellence, and our founder, attorney Scott Pryor, is ranked in the top 1% of the nation. Your case will be in the hands of a true legal professional with a track record of success in high-value injury claims and lawsuits. We represent the injured in Georgia and across the USA. Reach out to the firm for a free case evaluation at (404) 474-7122.