Car Accidents (2024)
ConsumerShield
Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Editor
Those involved in a car accident often sustain injuries, sometimes serious ones. Vehicles suffer damage, at times they are totaled. The U.S. legal system plays a pivotal role in resolving disputes over liability and determining which party bears the financial burden for medical treatments, pain and suffering and vehicle repairs.
When you’re involved in an accident as the result of another driver's negligence, you may be entitled to recover your damages. Damages may include any injuries you sustained and any costs you incurred like medical bills, prescription drug costs, lost wages due to time missed from work, etc. An experienced auto accident lawyer can help maximize your compensation.
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Understanding Car Accident Claims
Car accident laws merge principles of traffic law and personal injury law. Someone harmed in a car accident has the option to hire a lawyer to enforce their rights.
Should negotiations stall, the lawyer is prepared to initiate legal action. Through the examination of police reports, photographic evidence and other evidence, the courts endeavor to pinpoint the cause of the accident. The party found responsible is typically required to cover the other's medical bills, property repair costs, and additional damages including lost earnings and pain and distress.
The Complexity of Fault
Assigning fault in car accidents isn't always clear-cut, especially when multiple drivers share responsibility. The laws dictating how fault should be apportioned and financial obligations determined vary by state. Some jurisdictions demand that a single party cover all expenses, while others distribute financial responsibility proportionately based on each party's fault.
The Function of Auto Insurance
Auto insurance policies often cover a portion of the repair costs or the replacement value of the damaged vehicles, in addition to certain medical bills. There is a broad spectrum of mandatory insurance coverage across different states.
Assessing Liability
The criteria for establishing fault differ by vehicle type and are designed to offer more protection to more vulnerable users like pedestrians and cyclists. Due to their susceptibility to more serious injuries, these groups are afforded additional considerations.
Given their vehicle's agility and speed, motorcyclists are subject to a different set of traffic regulations. Truck drivers, possessing professional training and certification, are expected to adhere to a higher standard of road safety. Accidents involving trucks introduce additional complexity in liability determination since trucks are usually owned by commercial entities, expanding potential liability to include both the driver and the company owner.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of someone else's negligence on the road, contact an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Read on to learn more information on the different types of collisions, how auto insurance works and what you should do after a car accident.
Car Accidents Topics
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Law
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Rental Accident
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No Insurance Collisions
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What To Do
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What Happens
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Worth Getting Attorney
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Legal
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Neck Pain
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Head-On Collisions
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Back Pain
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Causes
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Average Settlements
Average Settlements for Car Accidents With Back and Neck Injuries
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Insurance
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Car Accident Claim
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Totaled Car
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Whiplash Claims
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Lawsuit Guide
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What To Do
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Lawyer
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Lawyer
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Valuing Settlements
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Accident
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Rear-End Collisions
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Car Lawyer Fees
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Common Car Injuries
More Litigation
Auto Accidents