Auto Accident & Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Auto Accident Lawyers - Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Automobile accidents and motorcycle accidents are a fact of life in our automobile-dominated society. A traffic court may deal with citations issued to drivers, or determine who has to pay a fine or spend time behind bars. The state may suspend or revoke a driver’s license. But neither of these courts decides who pays or how much the monetary damages will cost as our auto accident lawyers and motorcycle accident lawyers do.
Liability for another person's bodily injury or property damage in a motor vehicle accident is usually based upon commonsense grounds of negligence, many of which are written into statute. This includes categories of negligence such as speeding, following too closely, improper lane change, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to keep a lookout for other vehicles on the road, etc.
The determination of fault in an auto accident may or may not establish the person or party liable for payment of the damages or injuries. That’s why it is helpful to have experienced auto accident lawyers and motorcycle accident lawyers working for you. Below, we’ve given a general description of some of the factors involved in automobile accident cases.
In its purest form, "fault" for causing an automobile accident or motorcycle accident is either created by statute or defined by common law. Common law recognizes four basic levels of fault:
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negligence
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recklessness or wanton conduct
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intentional misconduct
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strict liability (irrespective of fault)
Negligence generally means careless or inadvertent conduct that results in harm or damage. It is a recurring factor in a large majority of auto accidents and motorcycle accidents. It encompasses both active and passive forms of fault. In other words, failing or omitting to do something (such as yielding a right-of-way) may result in liability just as much as actively doing something wrong (such as running a red light). Reckless or wanton conduct generally refers to a willful disregard for whether harm may result and/or a disregard for the safety and welfare of others. Strict liability may be imposed, even in the absence of fault, for accidents involving certain defective products or extra-hazardous activities (such as the transporting of explosive chemicals).
There is rarely a question of fault when a driver has engaged in intentional or reckless misconduct, such as drunk driving. But when it comes to something less than intentional misconduct, e.g., general negligence, establishing fault for an automobile accident or motorcycle accident becomes more complex. In addition, it is often the case that more than one driver or person is negligent and/or has played a role (even inadvertently) in the resulting accident. When there are multiple drivers involved in an accident, state law dictates who must pay for both damages to property and injuries to the occupants of vehicles.
If you have any questions at all about whether you might have a case, please contact one of our auto accident lawyers or motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We will be happy to talk with you about auto or motorcycle accident law and how it applies to your circumstances.