Automobile accidents are an unfortunate fact of life. These costly and traumatic experiences make up the majority of personal injury claims in the United States. Auto accidents can be caused by any number of reasons including:
- Driver negligence
- Driver recklessness
- Driver impairment
- Defective automobiles or parts
- Dangerous road conditions
By working with experienced auto accident attorneys, victims can help ensure that their rights and interests are protected. The Family of Lawyers at Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, P.C., can offer invaluable advice in preserving evidence and preparing your case.
Causes
Lawsuits arising from automobile accidents are usually based on the theory of negligence. Drivers must use reasonable care in operating a vehicle, and their failure to do so may mean that they acted negligently. Failure to exercise reasonable care includes improper speed and signaling as well as disregarding traffic signals, traffic conditions, or weather conditions. A motorist that drives unsafely with a clear disregard for the probability that such driving may cause an accident may be liable for any injuries caused by his or her recklessness.
A person who is operating an automobile can have their judgment impaired by a number of conditions. Many involve health concerns such as eyesight, age, ability to react, and illness. Another common impairment is driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, which is a criminal offense. DUI includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and illegal drugs.
Of course, auto accidents can happen because of factors beyond a driver’s control. An automobile’s design or part may be inherently defective and trigger an accident. A person who is injured because of a defect can sue the manufacturer or supplier of the defective product. Other factors such as improperly maintained roads and malfunctioning traffic control signals can contribute to an accident as well.
Liability
Auto accidents can vary in severity from a minimal fender-bender to a fatal crash. Drivers involved in a minor accident are legally required to exchange insurance or contact information. In fact, most minor accidents are settled outside of the legal system by the drivers’ insurance companies. A more serious crash will be investigated by the police in order to determine the cause.
Anyone who has been in an automobile accident should be thoroughly examined by a medical professional. Minor injuries and undetected internal injuries can develop into major health concerns. If the party who is at fault has insurance, that person’s insurance company will be responsible for the victim’s damages from the accident.
It is important to realize that insurance companies are businesses and as such one of their primary concerns is in limiting the amount of money that they pay out. When an insurance company presents an accident victim with a settlement offer, it is in the victim’s best interests to discuss the situation with a lawyer before accepting the offer. An attorney that works for you will put your needs before the insurance company’s financial interests. The Family of Lawyers at Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, P.C., is familiar with all of the ways in which insurance companies may try to influence you to settle quickly and for less compensation than you deserve. We have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and handling accident claims.
Damages
Automobile accidents can result in an array of injuries from whiplash to hearing loss, broken bones to burns. There are many types of general damages that may be awarded, including compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Automobile repairs
- Disability
- Wrongful death
- Medical bills
- Loss of current and future income
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an automobile accident, you should speak with an experienced attorney to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Please call Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, P.C., at 1-800-318-LAW1 or complete our online form for a free assessment of your case. Due to deadlines for filing injury claims, it is critical that you meet with an attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case.
At Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, P.C., our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience. Whether we are gathering evidence, giving advice, or talking with insurance companies, we are always your representative.
Please contact us at 1-800-318-LAW1 or through our online form for a free assessment of your case.
