auto accident attorneys Accident Legal Matters

If you've been injured as a result of a car accident, contact an experienced attorney as quickly as you can. Your attorney can explain your rights and assist you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

All drivers are obliged to observe traffic laws. If they violate that duty and cause harm, they are held accountable.

Damages

In general, there are two types of damage that can result from a car crash. The first type called special damages, has a value in dollars that is easily determined. Special damages include medical expenses, lost wages and repairs to vehicles. The second kind, referred to as non-economic damages, are more difficult to quantify. These include things such as pain and suffering.

In order to be eligible for compensation for non-economic losses it is necessary to be able to show that the injuries suffered were serious enough to warrant such an award. This is not an easy task and the person who was injured must be represented by an attorney.

One of the most popular kinds of non-economic damages is the loss of enjoyment in life. It is typically a financial amount that indicates a decreased quality of living as a result accident-related injuries. This can include the inability of the victim to participate in activities that were once pleasurable like driving.

In rare cases victims may be able to pursue punitive damages. This kind of damages are designed to penalize the defendant for auto accidents an egregious violation and also to discourage others from repeating the same actions in the future. Damages for punitive purposes are not available in every case and a successful claim relies on strong evidence showing that the defendant was acting with conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Liability

If you suffer injuries in an automobile accident, the person or entity responsible for your injuries will be liable to compensate you. This will include money for medical expenses or property damage, as well as loss of income, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering. In most cases, the person who caused the crash will be responsible. However, it is not uncommon for the two drivers to share some blame. Certain states follow what's known as comparative negligence laws, where jurors determine the proportion of fault for each driver and adjust the amount of damage according to that.

It is essential that you demonstrate what transpired to an insurance company or to a judge and jury. The burden of evidence is what we refer to it. The burden is shifted to the person making the claim - the plaintiff - and it requires you to provide evidence of how your crash occurred.

A government entity could be liable for an accident. This can happen when a roadway isn't properly constructed or maintained, and this results in an accident. These are also referred to as road defect cases. These kinds of claims could also be brought by manufacturers. They could be held accountable for car-related defects such as brakes, tires and mechanical failure.

At-fault driver citations

Most of the time, police officers can determine the cause of an accident by looking at the scene of the crash and questioning witnesses. If they suspect that a driver has violated traffic laws they could issue a ticket. Insurance companies may also use police reports to determine the fault.

After an accident, it is normal for drivers to point at each one another. This can be detrimental. This may not only give the other driver a negative impression but could also result in you committing a crime in court.

Most car accidents can involve two or more persons with varying degrees of fault. Many states have modified comparative-fault rules that allow claimants to recover damages that are less than their share of fault. Insurance adjusters can use a traffic citation to increase a claimant's share of responsibility for the accident, which could reduce their potential payout for their injuries.

The fact that someone is mentioned in a vehicle crash could be proof that they were the cause of the crash. However, it's not an assurance of the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on your case other evidence may be required to establish that the other driver was negligent and caused injury to you. Witness testimony, evidence at the accident scene and medical records to show your injuries.

Police reports

If law enforcement officers are at the scene of a car crash, they will fill out an official police report. These reports include both details and opinions recorded by the officers at the scene at the time the incident occurred. This is a crucial document to be included in any claim for auto accidents. Insurance companies will examine the report to determine fault and the amount of compensation for the injured parties.

According to the location, police reports are admissible in court or not. The reason for this is that the police report contains statements by individuals who are not sworn witnesses in court. To allow these statements to be used in a legal context they must fall within one of the exceptions to hearsay law.

A typical police report will include information about the driver, the vehicles and the people involved in the crash as well as an account of what transpired and any evidence found at the scene. A majority of police reports contain the officer's opinion about the cause of the accident, and Auto Accidents who is responsible for the incident.

Even if you don't feel injured, it is still in your best interests to file a police accident claim, even if the accident appears to be minor. Documentation is important since there aren't all injuries visible immediately.