Automobile & Motorcycle Accidents
Every 92 seconds, someone in the United States is involved in a car accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These cases are typically governed by the law of negligence. Generally, people who operate automobiles must exercise "reasonable care under the circumstances." A failure to use reasonable care is considered negligence. A person who negligently operates a vehicle may be required to pay for any damages, either to a person or property, caused by his or her negligence. The injured party, known as the plaintiff, is required to prove that the defendant was negligent, that the negligence caused the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is common for an insurance company to put their financial interests in front of yours and try to get a quick, cheap settlement. It is important that you not discuss the facts of your case or sign any documents until you know your legal rights.
Due to the fact that automobile accidents are very common, the injured party or the part that is not at fault has certain rights you should be aware of. Some rights you may be entitled to including, but are not limited to:
1. The right to be fully reimbursed for damages to vehicles, including tax, title, and licensing fees;
2. Rental car expense or reimbursement of the same;
3. Medical expenses for the past and future;
4. Lost wages in the past and future; and
5. Pain and suffering for the past and future.
A lawyer’s extensive knowledge of insurance companies and their practices allows them to maximize the available recovery for each client using all of the available insurance coverages available. Other insurance coverages including automobile policies on other vehicles, underinsured/uninsured motor vehicle protection, medical payment coverage, and personal injury protection benefits may also be available to an injured party.
A lawyer’s main priority in representing people who have been injured in personal injury accidents is to make the victim whole again, which means getting the victim back to the condition they were in before the accident occurred.
