What An Attorney Can Teach You About Car Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident, it is very likely that one of the drivers involved caused the accident. About 98% of accidents are caused by driver mistakes or driver negligence. Common driver "causes" of accidents include: aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, drunk driving and speeding. The driver who made a mistake or behaved negligently is usually found to be at fault. That means they are liable for the damage and injuries caused by the accident, and their insurance company must bear the costs.
Insurance companies are businesses first. Their goal is to make money, not to give it away. An insurance company will always demand to see your proof of liability before any settlement is paid.
It may seem obvious who caused an accident. If you were idling at a red light and you were rear-ended by a different car, It should be should not be difficult to prove that the driver of the other car is to blame. But, if you were side-swiped in high-speed traffic, it may not be so obvious. If you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, it is your car crash lawyer's job to prove that the other driver was at fault.
You may be asking yourself, how does an attorney prove which party is at fault following an auto accident?
Rear End Accidents
Sometimes, proving fault after an accident is pretty straight forward. When you driving, you are responsible for making sure you are following the rules of the road. For example, you must follow at a safe distance that allows you enough room to stop should the car you are following come to a suddenly brake. This is the reason why the vast majority of rear end accidents are the thought to be the fault the driver of that rear ends the vehicle in front of them.
Left-Turn Collisions
Left turn accidents are almost always the fault of the driver making the left turn. In most cases, cars coming straight into an intersection have the right of way.
Exceptions
There are exceptions, of course. If the car going straight runs a red light or is speeding, that driver may be partially or wholly at fault. While a driver who is rear-ended is usually not at fault in accident, if their vehicle had broken brake lights for example, then that driver could be to blame for the accident.
In these cases, it is important that the not-at-fault driver has the help of an attorney both to prove fault and to make sure that the driver is not held liable for an accident he did not cause.
Proving Fault
When lawyers prove liability they use any and all evidence from the accident scene, including:
• Police reports
• Witness reports
• State traffic laws or vehicle codes
• Vehicle damage
• Photos of the accident scene
• Medical records
• Accident reconstruction
After a car wreck, your accident attorney will use this evidence to support your claim for compensation from the insurance companies and ensure that you get are paid fairly for your medical costs, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage and other losses. Proving which party is at fault is just one of the many ways a Kansas City car crash lawyer can help injured victims fight insurance companies.
Insurance companies are businesses first. Their goal is to make money, not to give it away. An insurance company will always demand to see your proof of liability before any settlement is paid.
It may seem obvious who caused an accident. If you were idling at a red light and you were rear-ended by a different car, It should be should not be difficult to prove that the driver of the other car is to blame. But, if you were side-swiped in high-speed traffic, it may not be so obvious. If you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, it is your car crash lawyer's job to prove that the other driver was at fault.
You may be asking yourself, how does an attorney prove which party is at fault following an auto accident?
Rear End Accidents
Sometimes, proving fault after an accident is pretty straight forward. When you driving, you are responsible for making sure you are following the rules of the road. For example, you must follow at a safe distance that allows you enough room to stop should the car you are following come to a suddenly brake. This is the reason why the vast majority of rear end accidents are the thought to be the fault the driver of that rear ends the vehicle in front of them.
Left-Turn Collisions
Left turn accidents are almost always the fault of the driver making the left turn. In most cases, cars coming straight into an intersection have the right of way.
Exceptions
There are exceptions, of course. If the car going straight runs a red light or is speeding, that driver may be partially or wholly at fault. While a driver who is rear-ended is usually not at fault in accident, if their vehicle had broken brake lights for example, then that driver could be to blame for the accident.
In these cases, it is important that the not-at-fault driver has the help of an attorney both to prove fault and to make sure that the driver is not held liable for an accident he did not cause.
Proving Fault
When lawyers prove liability they use any and all evidence from the accident scene, including:
• Police reports
• Witness reports
• State traffic laws or vehicle codes
• Vehicle damage
• Photos of the accident scene
• Medical records
• Accident reconstruction
After a car wreck, your accident attorney will use this evidence to support your claim for compensation from the insurance companies and ensure that you get are paid fairly for your medical costs, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage and other losses. Proving which party is at fault is just one of the many ways a Kansas City car crash lawyer can help injured victims fight insurance companies.