Auto accident lawsuits are typically based on the law of negligence. In general, motorists are expected to exercise a reasonable standard of care while operating a motor vehicle, so as to prevent harm to others. When a driver fails to exhibit a reasonable standard of care, they are considered "negligent." A driver may be legally liable for any damage caused by their negligence.
In a car accident lawsuit, the injured party (plaintiff) must show the following:
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible to file an auto accident lawsuit if another driver's negligence led to your injuries. Similarly, if a faulty auto part or road design caused your car accident injuries, you may also be able to pursue compensation. To determine your eligibility for a car accident lawsuit, fill out our free case review form. Our car accident lawyers will evaluate your claim, at no cost to you.
To have a valid car accident claim, you must first determine the negligent party or parties that caused the car crash. You may suspect that another driver, pedestrian, motorcyclist etc. acted carelessly, but cannot identify what traffic laws they violated. A skilled car accident attorney, however, can examine police reports and state traffic laws and speak to witnesses to determine who was at fault for your motor vehicle accident.
In a car accident lawsuit, the courts will examine several factors to determine whether a motorist acted negligently. Some factors that may determine negligence include: disobeying traffic signs; failure to signal; speeding; drinking and driving; disregarding weather conditions; and driving below the speed limit.
In many auto accident lawsuits, the named defendant is an automaker, rather than another driver. When a motor vehicle accident is caused by a defective vehicle or auto part, a product liability lawsuit can be filed against the auto manufacturer or supplier. A car manufacturer becomes liable for any injuries caused by a faulty product, regardless of whether they were negligent. Vehicle and auto part defects can occur during design, manufacturing or labeling.
Claims filed against automakers typically stem from automobile accidents caused by the following:
Car accident lawsuits can also be filed against state, county or local governments for crashes caused by poor road design or maintenance. Malfunctioning traffic signals, highway defects or inadequate signage can all cause serious motor vehicle crashes. In these cases, the government may be liable for any resulting injuries. Special regulations apply to auto accident lawsuits filed against the government, and the advice of a car accident lawyer is necessary for filing such claims.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it's important to speak with an auto accident attorney to make sure your legal rights are protected. Your potential car accident lawsuit, which involves complex issues such as traffic laws and liability, requires the assistance of a skilled car wreck lawyer with experience handling auto accident cases. Because injured car accident victims only have a short time period to file their claims, meeting with a car accident attorney as soon as possible is advised.