If you or a loved one has been involved in a traffic collision, you might be wondering if you have a case. Many car accidents are caused by inattention or distraction. This negligence can put you at risk for financial damage. If this is the case, you can pursue financial compensation by hiring a car accident lawyer near me. We will look at some of the most common causes of collisions and what you can expect from a car accident lawyer.
Drunk driving is a leading cause of car accidents
Injuries caused by drunk driving are devastating. Not only do impaired drivers cause car accidents, but they also endanger the lives of other motorists. In addition to injuring occupants of other vehicles, drunk drivers can also hit pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers in their own vehicles. Drunk drivers are also negligent when operating other types of vehicles. Motorcycle riders, ATV operators, and boat operators can put themselves and others in danger when under the influence of alcohol.
According to NHTSA projections, more than half of car accident fatalities are caused by drunk drivers. In fact, alcohol is a primary cause of car crashes among drivers of all ages. In fact, drunk driving affects the driver’s reaction time, vision, and depth perception. According to the agency, drunk drivers cause more accidents than any other type of driver. However, this statistic does not include motorcycle operators, which are particularly vulnerable to accidents.
Comparative negligence
Many car accidents are caused by one party’s negligence. This negligence could include failing to obey the rules of the road. Other times, both parties may be partially at fault, and the accident resulted in shared fault. The law that governs comparative negligence in personal injury cases states that when determining fault, the victim can claim damages based on the percentage of their fault. Below, we discuss the difference between pure comparative negligence and contributory negligence and the importance of hiring a car accident attorney near me.
In the state of New York, car accidents are generally classified as either pure or comparative negligence. In the case of pedestrian accidents, the plaintiff may still be entitled to damages if they were not more or less negligent than the defendant. However, in New York, the law is different. While this may seem to complicate personal injury cases, it can actually make the process of recovering damages simpler for the injured plaintiff. Attorneys with years of experience handling personal injury cases can explain the complex concept to a client.
Punitive damages
The ability to recover punitive damages in a car accident lawsuit depends on many factors, including the details of the crash, severity of injuries, the character of the at-fault party, and whether or not other victims of the accident were harmed. Punitive damages are typically capped at $750,000, but are allowed in cases involving felony activity. This means that you have to prove that the at-fault party was reckless and/or acted with flagrant disregard for the safety of others.
In most cases, punitive damages are awarded to victims of accidents caused by drunk drivers. However, punitive damages may also be awarded in cases involving an automobile defect. These cases usually require a higher BAC than a standard case. In other situations, punitive damages are not awarded in a car accident case where the driver had been under the influence of alcohol for a brief period of time.
Cost of hiring a car accident lawyer
If you have been in a car accident, hiring a car accident lawyer is likely to reduce your stress after the incident. Hiring an attorney will help you negotiate with insurance companies and fight for the highest compensation for your injuries. However, you must pay a lawyer’s fees, so it’s important that you find one you trust and who charges reasonable fees. If you need legal help after a car accident, it’s best to find out how much the lawyer’s services will cost beforehand.
Most car accident attorneys do not charge upfront fees. Their fees are based on the amount of money they recover for you. If they fail to collect any compensation, they will not get paid. In addition, they will put your interests first and work together with you to ensure you get the best possible outcome. It’s worth the money to hire an accident attorney who puts their clients’ best interests above their own. You’ll be glad you did!