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3Mar/100

Car Accidents and Personal Injury

There are more personal injury claims filed related to car accidents than any other type of personal injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, someone is killed in a car accident every ten seconds.

Negligence is a key factor in proving liability for a car accident. A person who negligently operates a car, or other vehicle, may be required to pay any damages caused by their own negligence, whether damages of injuring someone or for damaged property.

A number of factors considered to be negligent may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Driving too fast or too slow
  • Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
  • Failing to signal lane changes or turning onto a different road
  • Disregarding weather or traffic conditions
  • Disobeying traffic signals
  • Failing to drive on the right side of the road
  • A driver may be liable for damages caused by his or her intentional or reckless actions. A reckless driver is one who drives unsafely with willful disregard for the likelihood that he or she may cause an accident.

    In some cases, accidents are caused through no fault of any particular driver. For example, an automobile manufacturer or supplier may be responsible for injuries caused by a defect in the automobile, or a component of the automobile. A product liability suit is a lawsuit brought against the manufacturer of a product for selling a defective product that caused injury to a consumer or user. The manufacturer is liable for any injuries caused, regardless of whether or not the manufacturer was negligent.

    If a mechanic fails to properly repair a vehicle, and the failure causes an accident, the person who improperly repaired the automobile, and the repair shop, may be liable for any injuries that occurred in the accident. Other factors that may contribute to causing car accidents include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Poorly maintained roads
  • Malfunctioning traffic control signals
  • Improper highway design or maintenance
  • Construction hazards
  • Improper signs
  • Poor lighting
  • Highway defects
  • Improper striping on the road's passing lanes
  • Sharp obstructions
  • Roadway problems obstructing drivers’ vision
  • Poorly placed trees or utility poles
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