11 "Faux Pas" Which Are Actually Okay To Do With Your Auto Accident Attorney

parsons auto accident law firm Accident Legal Matters

If you are injured in an automobile accident, consult an experienced attorney as quickly as you can. Your lawyer can explain your rights and help you get the compensation that you need.

All drivers are required to obey traffic laws. They are held accountable if breach this duty and cause harm.

Damages

In general there are two types of damages that may result from an automobile accident. The first type known as special damages, has a dollar value that can be easily determined. Special damages include medical bills or lost wages, as well as vehicle repairs. The second kind of damage that are referred to as non-economic damage, is more difficult to quantify. These include things such as pain and suffering.

In order to receive compensation for non-economic losses it is necessary to establish that your injuries were serious enough to warrant this award. This is a challenging task, and the injured party must be represented by an attorney.

Loss of enjoyment of life is among the most frequent non-economic damages. It is typically a financial amount that is a reflection of a diminished quality of life because of injuries resulting from accidents. This also is the inability to participate in certain activities, such as driving that were once enjoyable.

In a few cases victims could be allowed to sue for punitive damage. This kind of damage is designed to punish the defendant for a particularly indecent act and to deter others from repeating the same actions in the future. Punitive damages may not be available in all cases. A successful claim requires evidence that the defendant was acting with conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Liability

If you suffer injuries in an auto accident the person responsible for your injuries is accountable to compensate you. This includes money for your medical expenses, property damage, loss of income, as well as other injuries like pain and suffering. In the majority of cases, it will be the driver who caused the crash. It is not unusual for two drivers to share the blame. Certain states have what are called comparative negligence laws where jurors determine the proportion of fault for each driver and adjust the damages awarded in proportion.

It is essential that you can demonstrate to the satisfaction of an insurance company or jury or judge what took place. This is known as the burden of proof. The burden is shifted to the person making the claim, which is the plaintiff and it requires you to present evidence of how your crash occurred.

Another type of situation that can be brought is when a governmental entity is accountable for the accident. This could happen when a roadway has been poorly designed or maintained and this contributes to an accident. These claims are also called road defect cases. Sometimes, manufacturers are the ones to blame in these claims too. They may be liable for the defects in cars, such as brakes, tires and mechanical failure.

At-fault driver citations

An officer can often determine who was the culprit by analyzing the accident scene and interviewing witnesses. They can issue tickets if they believe the driver was in violation of traffic laws. Insurance companies could also use police reports to determine the fault.

Following an accident, it's normal for drivers to point at each other. This can be detrimental. While giving the other driver a negative impression, it could result in an admission of guilt that could be used against you in court.

In the majority of car accidents, there are usually two or more parties sharing a portion of blame. A majority of states have modified comparative-fault rules that allow claimants to recover damages less their proportion of blame. A traffic citation can be used by an insurance adjuster to increase the percentage of claimant fault in an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation for injuries.

The fact that someone is cited in a car crash could be proof that they are responsible for the accident. However, it is not an assurance of the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit. Based on the circumstances of your case the other evidence may be required to demonstrate that the driver was negligent and injured you. Witness testimony, evidence from the scene of the accident, and medical documents to show your injuries.

Police reports

When police officers arrive at a car accident site, they fill out an official report. These reports include both the details and opinions taken note of by the officers who were on the scene when the incident occurred. This is a vital document for any Tuscaloosa auto accident lawsuit accident claims. Insurance companies will examine the report as well to determine fault and compensation for the victims.

Based on the jurisdiction of the police, reports could or might not be considered admissible in court. The police report includes statements from people who aren't certified as witnesses. To be able to be used in a legal context they must fall under one of the exceptions to hearsay law.

A typical police report contains information about the driver, vehicles and the people involved in the accident and an account of what transpired and any evidence discovered on the scene. A majority of police reports contain the officer's opinions on the cause of the accident, and who is to blame.

Even if you don't feel injured, it is still the best option to make a police report, even if the accident seems to be minor. Documentation is important because not all injuries are evident immediately.