If you are involved in a traffic accident, you should know your rights. You may be entitled to compensation. The first thing you should do is to call a lawyer and discuss the incident with them. No two crashes are the same, and depending on the type of fault, the type of impact, and the parties involved, your lawyer can talk you through what to do next and how to go about making a liability claim, if the type of car accident was the fault of a third party.
Type of Fault
You can seek compensation after a car crash, but your success depends on the type of fault and which party or parties are found to be responsible. For more information about fault and compensation, you should contact a lawyer, such as Jebaily law firm in North Myrtle Beach, at https://www.jebailylaw.com/north-myrtle-beach/car-accident-lawyers/types-of-car-accidents/. It is always worth seeking legal help as you might not know what you are entitled to, or where the fault truly lies in an incident.
First, it needs to be determined whether the negligence of one or more parties caused the crash. Even if you are found to be partly at fault for the crash, you could still recover some money for your losses under certain state laws, such as South Carolina. Your percentage of fault simply needs to be less than the combined fault of the other parties involved. Depending on your percentage of fault you will receive a reduced amount of compensation.
There are various types of fault for vehicle accidents, including speeding, when a driver exceeds the posted speed limit or drives too fast for the weather conditions. There is also the fault of reckless driving, which is when a driver makes dangerous or aggressive maneuvers, such as tailgating, unsafe overtaking, or running through a stop sign or red light at an intersection.
Drivers can also be found to be at fault for distracted driving. This can occur as a result of texting while driving, talking on the phone or to other passengers in the car, eating, drinking, doing their hair or makeup in the mirror, and any other activity that demonstrably distracts drivers.
Drunk drivers, that is anyone operating a vehicle over the legal limit of blood alcohol levels, and drivers inhibited by drink or drug use can be found at fault. Drowsy drivers can also be at fault when their tiredness impairs their driving ability. Drowsiness can be due to medications.
Finally, defective road conditions or defective automotive parts can also be found to be at fault, making the state, federal agency, or car manufacturer at fault.
Type of Impact
There are several types of impact in car accidents, such as a T-bone collision, when one car hits the other in the side. These are common when a driver runs a stop sign or red light. Rear-end crashes occur when the driver who runs into the back of the other car is speeding, tailgating, or failing to keep a proper lookout. Whiplash and face injuries are common, as well as serious injury and damage occurring due to the car in front being pushed into oncoming traffic.
Sideswipes, when a car brushes along the side of another car, pushing it off the road or into oncoming traffic is common on interstates when cars merge or change lanes carelessly. Head-on crashes are the most lethal and occur when cars drift into oncoming traffic due to alcohol impairment or drowsiness. Finally, rollovers often result from a design defect, particularly in SUVs and trucks.
Parties Involved
If you were driving the only vehicle in the crash, known as a single-car accident, you will turn to your own auto insurance policy for coverage. However, if you were a passenger in a single-car accident or the accident was caused by a defect in the car or road, you may still be able to make a liability claim against the driver or manufacturer.
In multiple car accidents, when several parties are at fault, each person can be held responsible for the percentage of fault attributed to them. In this case, many auto insurance policies could be involved.
Talk To A Lawyer Today
If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault, or partially your fault, contact a lawyer today to discuss your options. It may be that you are entitled to compensation.
Now that you know more about determining fault, you are in a good position to evaluate the incident and, with the help of a professional, make the best out of a bad situation.
