Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a scary and costly event. Not only may an individual suffer painful injuries, but he or she is also likely to incur expenses related to medical bills, lost wages and vehicle repair costs. These types of expenses can quickly add up and total into the tens of thousands of dollars.
In cases where another driver’s actions caused or contributed to an accident, an individual may be able to recover compensation. New York City residents who have been injured in a traffic accident can turn to an attorney who handles personal injury cases to find answers to their legal questions.
Under New York’s negligence laws, even a driver who is found to have contributed in some way to an accident can still recover damages. When attempting to determine fault and negligence in a motor vehicle accident, factors related to intent, recklessness and liability must be examined. Drivers who violate traffic laws are often determined to be at fault, however, a passenger who is injured may also be deemed to have contributed to his or her injuries if, say for example, he or she failed to wear a seat belt.
In cases where a commercial truck is involved in a crash or collision, the individual truck driver along with his or her trucking employer may be deemed at fault. In addition to violating traffic laws, commercial truck companies and drivers must abide by federal regulations that encompass weight limits, maintenance schedules and hours of service.
Additionally, there are cases where things such as defective car parts and poor highway design cause or contribute to motor vehicle crashes. Due to the often complex nature of car accidents and the multiple factors that may be involved, individuals who plan to take legal action are advised to seek the guidance and counsel of an attorney.
Source: FindLaw.com, “Fault and Liability for Motor Vehicle Accidents,” June 30, 2015
FindLaw.com, “New York Negligence Laws,” June 30, 2015