Accidents are an everyday hazard on the road. In fatal cases, actions have to be taken fast. This article explains what car accident law is.
Car Accident Law involves the legal rules determining how damages from a traffic collision must be paid. As with any personal injury case where negligence governs, state law largely governs car accident litigation.
While all automobile accidents may appear the same following an accident, the legal issues can vary significantly from state to state. Every state has tort or personal injury laws designed to protect roadway accident victims from unfair liability. The basic idea behind tort law is to assign fault for an accident between the parties involved in the crash.
A frequently encountered tort case is one in which a person or business alleges they have been harmed by the negligent "conduct" of another. A frequently encountered question in tort cases is whether the tortfeasor owed a duty of care to the plaintiff.
Just because the defendant was driving negligently does not mean they caused the plaintiff's injuries because they may also have other causes. The plaintiff has the burden of proving that the defendant's negligence was the cause of the plaintiff's injuries. In-car accident cases, this can be done through medical testimony demonstrating that the injuries are consistent with the nature of the crash and met specific medical standards and that the defendant's breach of duty caused (or substantially contributed to) the injury.
Proving that another person's negligence has caused you damage or harm can be difficult. You must show that the other driver's action caused you out-of-pocket damages, such as medical costs, lost income, or emotional distress. It would be best if you also showed that the defendant's actions were careless or were done with malice.
The following are some critical steps to take after an auto accident.
The first thing you should do after getting in a car accident is to keep silent and not speak about who is to blame. This is the most important thing to do after an accident since you will undoubtedly have that information in your head as your consciousness is processing it.
Regardless of who does the incident, being kind and polite to those involved will put you in good graces with them and will therefore benefit them should they need to prove events surrounding the accident in court.
Record any statements made by other drivers and record as many details as possible. Start by getting the other driver's name, address, and insurance information.
Since so many car accident / personal injury cases come down to the small details, I highly recommend that everyone should have a method of recording the story of what happened. This means writing out a description of the accident scene and the names of police officers and witnesses involved.
When you've been in a crash, visit the doctor as soon as possible. Injuries caused by car accidents can get worse as time passes, and if you wait too long to tell a doctor how you are feeling, you could be accused of not caring about your health by the other driver's attorney.
Of everything that can be done after a car accident to preserve a victim's right to compensation, the most important thing that anyone post-accident can do is to consult with a trustworthy personal injury lawyer.
