Liability In Car Accidents
Liability in Car Accidents
Recovering from a car accident is tough enough without wondering about liability issues. If you have been injured in a car accident, and you’re not sure who is liable, call a personal injury lawyer with car accident experience. Sometimes, cases are simple. Law enforcement officers thoroughly investigate car accidents and the responsible party is liable. Determining liability in a car accident isn’t always a cut-and-dry process. It may take additional investigative efforts and crash-reconstruction to find out who was at-fault in a car accident.
Car Accident Investigation
The first and most important step in determining liability in a car accident is the initial crash investigation. In a perfect world, the officer on the scene does a thorough job and clearly states who was at fault for the crash. A clear case might involve an impaired driver or a driver who was obviously displaying careless or reckless behavior behind the wheel. It may also be a clear-cut case if the at-fault driver violated a traffic sign or signal. Unfortunately, not all cases are as simple to investigate, nor are all law enforcement officers as dedicated to getting to the bottom of traffic incidents as they should be.
Different
Limitations of an Initial Car Accident Investigation in Determining Liability
It’s important to note that there are limitations to the initial car accident investigation when trying to determine liability in a car accident. A variety of factors can lead to an inconclusive investigative report from a liability standpoint. It may be necessary to have additional experts brought in on the case. Accident reconstruction can be an essential part of your case. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to assemble a team to help determine liability in your case, even if the initial law enforcement investigation was inconclusive. Don’t think your case is dead in the water just because the police officer didn’t do a thorough investigation.
Different Types of Driver Errors
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Reckless or careless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Intentional misconduct behind the wheel
- Negligent driving
- Unlicensed drivers
Poor Road Design and Defective Car Parts
Liability can also be a complicated concept when defective car parts or poor road design are involved. Car manufacturers and car part manufacturers may be pulled into the lawsuit, and you can bet they have lawyers on their side.
Multiple Liable Parties
It’s also possible to have more than one person sharing the liability of a particular car accident. This can happen when a car doesn’t belong to the driver, or if the driver is employed and working at the time of the crash. The employer could be liable, and it will take additional investigative efforts to determine if corners were cut or if negligent or unlawful business practices led to the car accident. Listed below are just a few different people who can be held liable in the event of a crash, even if they weren’t driving the car at the time.
Multiple Parties Involved
- Employers
- Parents of drivers
- Family members or friends who loaned the car out
Ultimately, when determining liability in a car accident, you’re trying to determine who caused or contributed to the accident that caused your injury. Not all cases are as simple as a careless or impaired driving being the clear and obvious liable party. Some cases can involve defective auto parts, poor road design and other complicated factors. If you were injured in a crash, and you know it wasn’t your fault, you need to call a lawyer as soon as possible. Even if you’re not exactly sure what happened, take a few minutes to have a free telephone consultation with an experienced car accident attorney in Jackson. The area where your accident happened or the type of car you drive could tell your lawyer a lot more than you might think.
After a Car Accident in Jackson
After a car accident in or around the Jackson Metro area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You might think that because you faithfully pay your insurance premiums, you’ll be in ‘good hands.’ Sadly, that’s just not always the case. Insurance companies are in the business of looking out for their bottom line, so it’s critical speak with a lawyer who has car accident experience as soon after a car accident as you can. It may take additional investigative efforts to determine exactly who was liable in your car accident. Your attorney will be able to assemble a team of experts to get the ball rolling.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident, contact the skilled legal team at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC at (601) 265-7766 for a free consultation.
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