Whenever a crash happens, there is a question of liability. If you’re hit by another person, the first party that you would likely want to pursue a claim against is the driver. That being said, there are cases where other people could be held liable for the crash.
One of the first steps in your personal injury claim will be to determine who is liable. To do this, you have to look at all of the people involved in the crash and anyone who might be legally responsible for their actions.
Who could be at fault in your crash?
The exact situation will vary, but here are a few examples of those who could be responsible for a crash.
- The person who suddenly braked or drove recklessly in a way that caused another driver to crash into you
- The driver’s employer, if they are working at the time of the collision
- A mechanic who performed work on the vehicle that collided with yours
- The manufacturer of parts that failed in a vehicle involved in the collision
Since more than one person could be at fault for a crash, you could have more opportunities to improve the value of your claim. It’s much easier to claim for larger sums of money when there are multiple parties to seek that money from.
With that in mind, it is always a good idea to look into all the parties that may be liable for the collision and to take action against them.
What should you remember about making a claim?
Any time you are injured, you have a right to seek compensation from at-fault individuals. Whether the at-fault party is vicariously liable for an employee or is a major manufacturer, you will need to build a strong case for compensation.
Don’t speak with insurance agents if they call. Wait to build your case with your attorney and focus on your health. While you’re in the hospital or in recovery, keep track of all your medical documents and expenses. Doing this will help you be sure that you are able to produce evidence of your injuries and seek the most compensation possible.