Automobile collisions result in costly damages to property, physical injury, and even the loss of life. But these accidents don’t just happen without reason. Negligent behavior always means that someone is at fault.
Insurance companies do their best to avoid paying for damages. So determining liability is essential to obtaining your rightful compensation. Understanding how fault and negligence apply to car crashes helps you determine the best options for recovering your losses.
The Illusion of Accidents
An accident isn’t simply the absence of intent. No driver wants to be involved in a wreck, but this does not remove fault or negligence as factors that ultimately contribute to an automobile collision.
Most drivers believe that they are simply at the mercy of circumstances beyond their control. When the word “accident” is used in reporting these events, the parties involved can be given the impression that no one is at fault.
The majority of car crashes are the result of poor decision-making on the part of one or more drivers.
Distracted driving is one of the biggest risk factors on today’s roads. But individuals choose to look at their phones, search the radio dial, or read while driving. So any “accident” they cause is no accident at all.
Fault and Negligence in Car Crashes
Negligence is a result of carelessness that leads to property damage or physical harm to another individual.
Negligence includes the failure to take a given action as well as actively committing a specific act. Care wrecks can result from the failure to signal a turn or actively running a red light to avoid stopping.
Reckless conduct is defined as a disregard for others and their safety. Drivers who choose to travel at high speeds despite the risks that this poses to others are just one example of reckless or wanton behavior.
There are also cases where accidents are caused by defects in the automobiles themselves. In these cases, manufacturers may be held liable for automobile accidents and the damages they’ve caused.
Employers whose drivers haven’t undergone the proper training or screening to safely transport materials can be at fault for automobile collisions.
Establishing fault is critical to making legal claims. This can be a complicated process when multiple drivers are involved and when many factors contribute to the collision.
Legal Protection
A legal professional can help you determine who is at fault and provide the resources you need to obtain compensation for your injuries or damages. Each state has its own laws that regulate the ways in which drivers are held accountable for collisions.
You need to determine the facts related to your case and gather the right evidence to support your argument. An attorney can review your case and outline the best options for you.
Identifying negligence allows you to determine who is at fault and responsible for a given car crash. Obtaining your just compensation supports your recovery and covers costs related to medical care and vehicle damage.
Understanding that there’s no such thing as an automobile “accident’ helps you focus on what has really happened so that you can achieve a quick and satisfactory resolution.