motor vehicle accident lawyer Vehicle Litigation
In the majority of motor vehicle collision lawsuits, the plaintiff’s damages are diminished by their percentage fault. The jury decides this based on the evidence they are presented with.
In order to be held liable for personal injuries the defendant must have been negligent in the incident. Liability is determined by the extent to which negligence contributed to the accident.
Liability
The goal of a motor vehicle accident claim is to collect damages from the party who caused the injuries and losses caused through their negligence. If the injured party is not in one of the states that operate under a no-fault system of insurance the filing of an auto or trucking accident lawsuit requires that the negligent act of a defendant or failure to act resulted in a collision, and the resulting bodily injury.
An experienced attorney can assist you in determining whether the driver at fault or other defendant is liable for your losses. Most auto accident cases turn on the plaintiff’s ability to establish their defendant’s liability based on the principles of tort liability, including a defendant’s duty to the plaintiff, the breach of that duty, causality that is actual and proximate, and injuries.
A experienced lawyer can assist with determining the extent of liability in cases where the insured driver or the owner of the vehicle may be involved in a lawsuit as well. Most insurance policies for automobiles offer coverage to any person who drives the vehicle with the permission of the owner, subject to certain exceptions. This analysis consists of a thorough review of CPLR SS 1602.
Damages
A successful motor vehicle Accident law firm vehicle suit must prove the damages suffered by the plaintiff. This is usually done by providing detailed documentation of the out-of-pocket expenses that were incurred and also future losses that are likely to arise as a result of the injuries that were sustained. These are called economic and non-economic damages.
The former covers things like medical expenses and lost income, while the latter pays for intangibles, such as suffering and pain. It can be difficult to put a dollar amount on non-economic damages like mental suffering and loss of enjoyment.
Your lawyer will assist in the calculation of your damages through the use of a variety of methodologies. This includes retaining experts in accident reconstruction who will review photos of the scene, police reports, witness testimony, and other evidence to understand the way in which the accident took place.
Your lawyer will also help your claim by soliciting expert opinions which outline the economic and non-economic consequences of your injuries. This will include estimates of the cost for future care and assistance, wage projections and other financial factors. These are vital in order to ensure you’re fully compensated for any losses you have suffered and will continue to experience in the near future.
Comparative Fault
A system referred to as comparative fault — or contributory negligence, determines the amount of fault an injured person is held responsible for a car crash. It’s an important issue in a variety of cases and something that your attorney might be required to prove.
Most states have some form of a comparative fault law that allows victims to be compensated even if their share of the blame is attributed to an accident. However, the amount they receive in settlement will be reduced based on their level of fault. If, for motor vehicle accident law firm example an appeals court awards $100,000 for your injuries, and then determines that you’re at 40% responsible, you will only receive $60,000.
There are actually two different types of modified comparative-fault rules. The second is known as the 50% bar rule, which bars the victim from receiving damages when they are more than 50% at the fault. Colorado and Utah are two states that adhere to this rule. Another variant is pure comparative fault, which allows victims to recover damages even if they are found to be 99 percent at fault.
Statute of limitations
In the majority of cases, a person is injured in a car crash is entitled to file a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident. However, these lawsuits must be filed within a certain timeframe of limitations or else the victim’s claim will be forever barred.
The statute of limitation has nothing to do whether or the insurance company of the defendant will settle the case. It’s all about the incident that brought about the case, or the incident or accident that caused the injury. Therefore, knowing exactly when the clock begins to tick is essential for to ensure compliance with this important legal requirement.
In New York, people who suffer injuries in car crashes generally have three years to start a personal injury lawsuit. This time frame can be reduced in certain circumstances, but. In cases where a minor is involved, as in the statute is suspended until the child is free, which is achieved by marriage or at the age of 18, usually two years after the incident. There are other circumstances, and a seasoned attorney can offer advice on the particulars.
Representation
We have years of experience representing and advising public entities and utilities in matters involving motor vehicle litigation. Our clients include local, county, state and federal entities regulating fixed public utilities like electric, water and gas services. We also represent transportation entities like taxicabs trucking companies and limousines, before the Public Utilities Commission in cases involving rates, fees and service.
In a motor vehicle accident instance, we are able to determine the parties at fault and assist you in pursuing compensation. Our firm assists victims of tractor-trailer collisions and car accidents, including wrongful death cases.
Our practice in commercial motor vehicles provides advice to manufacturers, national leasing companies and national logistics companies on product liability and automobile accident claims. We manage pre-suit evaluations and proactively manage the discovery process. We also apply trial-ready skills to obtain an acceptable client outcome whether it’s a summative resolution or a favorable final verdict. Our team advises franchised motor vehicles motorbikes, truck dealers and motorcycles regarding issues pertaining to factory-dealer relations and represents them in New Motor Vehicle Board protests regarding dealership terminations and audits of warranty and incentive programs, as well as relocations.