Liability in car accidents refers to the legal responsibility of a driver or other party for any damages or injuries they cause. In most cases, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the resulting losses. Liability is typically determined based on the laws of the state where the accident occurred, which usually includes negligence laws.
If a driver is found to be at fault for an accident, they may be liable for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other losses suffered by the victim. The settlement depends on the degree of fault, the severity of the accident, and other factors. Liability is not always clear or direct. In many cases, a third party can also be held liable for a car accident. Click here to know more about third-party liability and what you can do to establish liability.
Dealing with Consequences
Third-party liability in a car accident refers to the legal responsibility of a person who is not a party to the accident but whose actions or omissions contributed to the accident. Here are some situations where a third party may be held liable for a car accident:
Negligent entrustment:
If a vehicle owner allows an unlicensed or incompetent driver to operate their vehicle, they could be held liable for any accidents that occur as a result of the driver’s negligence. This is a major offense, and if the right kind of attorney is handling the case, they will make sure to bring this in front of the jury and penalize the third party.
Negligent maintenance:
If a third party, such as a mechanic or auto parts manufacturer, fails to properly maintain a vehicle or provide safe equipment, and this leads to an accident, they could be held liable for damages. If the car is faulty because of a maintenance issue, then the person responsible for maintaining the car will be held accountable for any sort of accident because of the fault.
Road conditions:
If a car accident occurs due to poor road conditions, such as potholes, inadequate lighting, or poorly designed intersections, the government agency responsible for maintaining the road may be held liable for any resulting damages. This is something major because road conditions play a major role in how the person drives the car. If there are road maintenance issues, then the agency can be blamed for accidents occurring on that road.
Drunk driving:
If a third party serves alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated, and that person causes a car accident, the third party who provided the alcohol may be held liable under certain circumstances. This is a direct offense because DUI is a punishable offense, and this can easily divert liability.
Distracted driving:
If a third party causes a car accident due to distracted driving, such as texting or using a mobile device while driving, they could be held liable for any resulting damages.
Conclusion
There are plenty of third parties that can be held liable for car accidents. Only if you have a skilled and experienced attorney can you get all these options of putting liabilities on others. So, it is better to get yourself an experienced attorney rather than go to court without any preparation.