If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, it’s essential to first get the proper medical care and attention you need. However, while you’re on the road to recovering, you may begin to wonder what your next steps are. Figuring out your legal options can be a rigorous and confusing process. If you are considering filing a lawsuit, there are several issues to consider. Beckett’s team of lawyers can help you determine your options and ensure you’re given fair compensation for your injuries.
Who’s at Fault?
Depending on the situation, there are a few possibilities regarding who can be sued following a motor vehicle accident. Whether you have experienced an accident as a passenger, a pedestrian, or as a driver, you may have a viable claim so long as another driver or entity can be found at least partly to blame for the accident. In some cases, another driver may have been driving recklessly or not abiding by the rules of traffic. Common displays of negligence from a driver at fault for causing a collision include distracted driving, drunk driving, or running a red light. Collisions with multiple parties involved may have several individuals who are deemed responsible.
In other cases, a town or city might be found liable for failing to properly maintain or design the road, or a mechanic may be found responsible for failing to properly repair a vehicle’s braking or steering systems. The possibilities are endless and each case is decided on the specific facts that apply to it.
What Can Be Claimed in a Lawsuit
There are numerous damages that can be claimed in a motor vehicle accident case. These include:
- Income loss, both past and future: If your injuries affect your occupation or education, you may be able to sue for economic losses.
- Loss of competitive advantage in the marketplace: An award that recognizes that injuries sustained as a result of the accident may cause negative effects on future employability.
- Pain and suffering: Pertains to accident-related injuries that are deemed serious and permanent. Injuries must be shown to affect your ability to return to normal everyday life.
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Housekeeping and maintenance capacity loss: Applies when injuries create inefficiencies in completing domestic responsibilities and home maintenance.
- Special damages: Includes any out-of-pocket expenses that are brought about by the accident.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help. The Beckett team of professional and knowledgeable lawyers can assist with navigating the process of receiving proper compensation by discussing your legal options and ensuring you are represented fairly.
While it is always best practice to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, you should never assume that you are out of time or that there is nothing that can be done for you. The rules of court can be flexible and there is often a way to seek compensation, even years later. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to begin your journey towards justice.
Published on July 9, 2021
