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Auto Accident Legal Matters
If you are injured in an automobile accident, consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can explain your rights and help to get the compensation you deserve.
All drivers are accountable to obey traffic laws. When they breach that duty and cause injury, they can be held responsible.
Damages
In general there are two distinct types of damages that may result from an automobile accident. The first type known as special damages, comes with a dollar value that can be easily calculated. Special damages include medical expenses, lost wages and vehicle repairs. The second type of damage, also known as non-economic damages is more difficult to quantify. These include things like suffering and pain.
To be able to claim compensation for non-economic losses it is essential to be able to demonstrate that the injuries suffered were serious enough to warrant the compensation. This is a difficult task, and the injured should be represented by an attorney.
The loss of enjoyment is among the most commonly reported non-economic losses. This usually involves an amount of money that represents the lower quality of life as a result of accident-related injuries. This could include the inability of the victim to engage in activities that were once pleasurable, such as driving.
In some cases victims may be allowed to sue for punitive damage. This kind of damages are intended to punish the defendant for an egregious violation and helps deter others from doing similar things in the future. Punitive damages may not be offered in all cases. A successful claim will require evidence that the defendant acted with conscious disregard for others' safety.
Liability
When you are injured in a car accident the person or entity responsible for your injuries is liable to compensate you. This includes money for your medical expenses, property damage, loss of income as well as non-economic injuries like suffering and pain. In most cases, this is the driver who caused the accident. It is not unusual for two drivers to share blame. Some states apply what's called comparative negligence laws. In these, jurors determine the respective percentage of blame for each driver and adjust the damage award according to that.
It is essential that you demonstrate what transpired to an insurance company or to a judge and jury. This is known as the burden of proof. The plaintiff is the one who bears the burden of proof. You have to provide evidence to prove that the accident happened.
Another kind of case that could be filed is when a government institution is accountable for the accident. This can occur when a highway is not properly maintained or designed which can lead to an accident. These kinds of claims are also referred to as road defect cases. Sometimes, the manufacturers are responsible in these types of claims too. They may be held accountable for defects like brakes, tires, and mechanical failures.
At-fault driver citations
Usually, a police officer can determine the cause of an accident by studying the scene of the crash and questioning witnesses. If they believe a motorist has broken traffic laws, they could issue a ticket. Insurance companies will take a look at police reports to help them determine who is at fault.
It is natural for drivers to blame each other after an accident. This can be detrimental. This could not only give the other driver a negative impression, but it could also cause you to admit guilt in court.
Most car accidents can be caused by two or more people with varying degrees of blame. auto accident lawyer indio is why many states use modified comparative blame rules that allow the claimant to seek compensation for damages minus their portion of the fault. An insurance adjuster might apply a traffic citation to increase a claimant's share of fault in the accident, which could reduce their potential compensation for their injuries.
The incident that someone is cited in the aftermath of a car accident could be a strong proof that they caused the crash. However, it is not an assurance of the outcome of an injury lawsuit. Based on the circumstances of your case, you may require additional types of evidence to show that an other driver was negligent and caused harm to you. You will need witness testimony, evidence at the scene of an accident and medical documents to show your injuries.
Police reports
When officers from the police arrive at a car accident site, they fill out an official report. The reports contain both the facts and opinions recorded by the officers at the scene when the incident occurred. This is a crucial document for any claim for auto accidents. Insurance companies will examine the report as well to help determine the fault and compensate the victims.
Depending on the location, police reports are admissible or not in court. The main reason is that the police report contains statements by people who aren't witnesses in court. These statements must fall under an exception to the hearsay law to be admissible as evidence.
A typical police report contains information about the driver, vehicles and the victims involved in the crash, as well as an account of the incident and any evidence discovered on the scene. The majority of police reports include officers' opinions on how the accident occurred and who is most to blame.
If you're not injured but you are not injured, it is recommended that you always make a police report of any accident that you are involved in, even if it appears minor. There are many injuries that do not show up in a hurry, and having solid documentation can be a huge help in helping you claim the compensation you're entitled to for your medical expenses.