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Auto Accident Legal Matters
If you've been injured as a result of an auto accident, call an experienced attorney as quickly as possible. Your lawyer can help you to understand your rights and receive the compensation that you are entitled to.
All drivers are responsible for obeying traffic laws. If they do not comply with this duty and cause injury, they can be held responsible.
Damages
In general, there are two different types of damages that can result from an automobile accident. The first type of damages called special damages, comes with the value of a dollar that is easily determined. Special damages include medical bills or lost wages, as well as repairs to vehicles. The second type, which is referred to as non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. These include things like suffering and pain.
In order to receive compensation for non-economic losses it is necessary to show that your injuries were serious enough to warrant this award. This is a challenging task, and the injured party must be represented by a lawyer.
One of the most prevalent kinds of non-economic damages is the loss of enjoyment in life. It's usually a financial amount that represents a lower quality of life due to injuries sustained in accidents. This includes the inability for the victim to take part in activities that were once enjoyable, such as driving.
In a few cases victims might be allowed to sue for punitive damage. These damages are intended to punish the defendant and discourage future acts that are as egregious. Punitive damages may not be available in every case and a successful claim depends on the evidence that proves the defendant was acting with conscious disregard for the safety of others.
Liability
If you suffer injuries in a car accident the person or entity responsible for your injuries will be liable to pay you compensation. This includes reimbursement for medical expenses, property damages, lost income, as well as non-economic damages that include pain and discomfort. In the majority of cases, it will be the driver that caused the accident. However, it's not unusual for both drivers to share some responsibility. Some states have laws known as comparative negligence, in which the jury determines the proportion of each driver's share and adjusts the damages awarded in accordance with the percentage.
It is vital that you demonstrate to the satisfaction an insurance company or jury or judge what happened. The burden of evidence is what we call it. The burden is placed on the person who makes the claim - the plaintiff and it requires you to show proof of how the accident occurred.
A government entity can also be held responsible for an accident. It can happen when a road is not properly constructed or maintained, and this can cause an accident. These claims are also called roadway defect cases. These types of claims can also be brought by manufacturers. They may be held accountable for defects, such as brakes, tires and mechanical failures.
At-fault driver citations
An officer will often be able to determine who caused an incident by looking at the scene of the accident and interviewing witnesses. If they believe a motorist has violated traffic laws they might issue a ticket. Insurance companies may also review police reports to help determine the cause of the incident.
Following an accident, it's normal for drivers to stare at each other. However, this could be detrimental. In addition to giving the driver a negative impression it could result in an admission of guilt, which could be used against you in court.
Most car accidents can involve two or more people who share some degree of responsibility. Most states have modified comparative-fault rules that allow claimants to recover damages less their proportion of fault. An insurance adjuster might make use of a traffic citation in order to increase a claimant's percentage responsibility for the accident, which may reduce their settlement for their injuries.
The fact that someone is mentioned in a vehicle crash can be strong evidence that they are responsible for the crash. However, it's not a guarantee of the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit. Based on the circumstances of your case, you may require other types of evidence to prove the other driver was negligent and caused you harm. You will need witness testimony, evidence from the scene of the accident, and medical records to prove your injuries.
Police reports
When police officers arrive at a car accident site, they fill out an official report. These reports contain both facts and opinions that are compiled by officers present at the time of the collision. auto accident lawyer muncie is an important document to be included in any claim for auto accidents. Insurance companies will also look over the report to determine fault and the amount of compensation.
According to the area of jurisdiction, police reports can be admissible or not. The main reason is because the police report contains statements by people who are not sworn witnesses in court. These statements must be included in an exception to the hearsay law in order to be used as evidence.
A typical police report will include information regarding the driver, vehicles and the victims involved in the crash as well as an account of what transpired and any evidence found at the scene. Many police reports also include the officer's views on what caused the crash and who is most responsible for the incident.
Even if you're not injured, it is still recommended to file a police accident claim, even if the accident appears to be minor. Documentation is essential because not all injuries are obvious immediately.