5 Potentially Liable Parties After a Car Crash
After you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, everyone’s pointing fingers. Who or what caused your accident, and who is ultimately responsible for the financial losses you suffered as a result? Learn about five potentially liable parties after a car accident below.
1. The At-Fault Driver
Most car accidents are caused by human error. If the other driver was clearly at-fault, then you may be able to seek out a lawsuit against them. Here are some common causes of accidents that would indicate the driver was at-fault for the crash:
- Breaking traffic laws
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driver intoxication
- Failure to yield to traffic
- Reckless driving
If any of the above were cited on your accident report, then there’s a good chance your lawsuit will be a success.
2. The Owner of the Vehicle
What if an unsafe driver or someone without a license was the at-fault driver? Sometimes, the car’s actual owner can be held liable after a car accident even when they weren’t in the vehicle. This happens when the owner was negligent in entrusting their car with the dangerous driver. This type of lawsuit is common when the driver was intoxicated, didn’t have a license or has been in several crashes in the past.
3. The Car Manufacturer
Did a defective vehicle error or malfunctioning part contribute to your crash? An example of this may include brake failure, among others. If so, then the car’s manufacturer can be held liable for your losses and any injuries you accrued as a result of the crash. You’ll need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent and that the vehicle or part was defective. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you go about this.
4. The Driver’s Employer
What if the driver who was at-fault was working at the time of the accident? While it’s less common, you might be able to seek compensation if the driver’s employer was negligent in some way. For example, a trucking company who forces employees to break federal law and drive more hours than they could be held liable for an accident that occurred. A company can also be held liable if they were negligent during the hiring process.
5. Government Entities
Have you ever hit a big pothole and damaged your vehicle? What happens when an apparent road hazard causes your accident on a public road?
At times, you may be able to seek compensation from the government entity that maintains the road. This type of lawsuit is less common because state governments often claim immunity, but your suit could be successful if the government knew (or should have reasonably known) about the dangerous road conditions and failed to fix the problem for an extended period of time.
Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of car accidents in Perth Amboy, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Roselle, and East Orange. Call 732-442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, and Trenton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
