A variety of factors come into play when determining who is at fault for a car accident. In some cases, multiple parties may be liable or partially liable for damages that they or others incur. Depending on the facts of the case, a person or entity could face strict liability if an individual or company took reckless actions. A reckless action is defined as one that shows a blatant disregard for other people or their property.
In such a scenario, a party could be liable for damages even if it wasn’t necessarily at fault for an accident. Generally speaking, most people involved in car accidents have engaged in negligent behavior. Negligence occurs when a person acts carelessly without any intent to cause property damage or bodily injury. In the event that multiple parties are partially liable for an accident, state law will determine the extent of their liability.
Typically, it must be shown that another driver’s negligence was the proximate cause of a victim’s injuries or property damage. In one possible scenario, a driver who wasn’t wearing a seat belt was hurt in an accident caused by another person. The individual who caused the crash may be liable for damage caused to the vehicle but not responsible for the medical bills incurred by the person who wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Individuals who have gotten into auto accidents may be able to receive compensation for their injuries or to replace damaged property. Those who are seeking compensation may want to hire an attorney to help with their cases. A lawyer may use photos, videos or other evidence to show that negligence caused a crash to happen. Legal counsel may also assert that strict liability rules should apply in a case.