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If you've been injured as a result of an accident in the car, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as you can. Your lawyer can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve.

All drivers are required to follow traffic laws. If they do not comply with this duty and cause injury, they can be held responsible.

Damages

In general there are two kinds of damages that could result from an accident. The first, known as special damages, have a clear dollar value that is easy to calculate. Items like medical bills as well as lost wages and vehicle repairs are examples for special damages. The second type of damage, referred to as non-economic damage, is more difficult to quantify. These include things like pain and suffering.

In order to be compensated for non-economic losses, you must be able prove that your injuries were severe enough to warrant such an award. This is a difficult task and the injured person must be represented by an attorney.

Loss of enjoyment of life is among the most commonly reported non-economic losses. This is usually a financial amount that reflects a reduced quality of life because of injuries resulting from accidents. It also is the inability to participate in certain activities, like driving, that were once enjoyable.

In some cases, victims can claim punitive damages. This type of loss is designed to punish the perpetrator for a particular sloppy act and also to discourage others from doing similar things in the future. The possibility of punitive damages is not available in every case and a successful claim is based on evidence that shows the defendant acted with a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Liability

If you are injured in an automobile accident the person responsible for your injuries is liable to compensate you. This includes reimbursement for medical expenses as well as property damage, lost income, as well as non-economic damages, such as discomfort and pain. In the majority of cases, it will be the driver that was responsible for the crash. However, it is not uncommon for both drivers to share a portion of the blame. Some states follow what is called comparative negligence laws where jurors will determine the respective percentage of blame for each driver and adjust the amount of damage in proportion.

It is vital to prove to the satisfaction of an insurance company, jury or judge what took place. This is known as the burden of proof. The burden is shifted to the person who is making the claim - the plaintiff - and demands that you provide the evidence that demonstrates how your crash occurred.

A government entity can be liable for an accident. This could be the case when a road is not maintained properly or designed and contributes to an accident. These types of claims are also known as road defect cases. Sometimes, manufacturers are responsible in these claims as well. They could be held responsible for the defects in brakes, tires and mechanical failure.

At-fault driver citations

A police officer is often able to determine who caused an incident by analyzing the accident scene and interviewing witnesses. If they suspect that a driver has broken traffic laws, they could issue a ticket. Insurance companies could also use police reports to determine the fault.

After an accident, it's normal for drivers to glare at each one another. This can be detrimental. Apart from giving the other driver a negative impression it could lead to an admission of guilt, which could be used against you in court.

Most car accidents involve two or more persons who share a certain amount of blame. Many states have modified comparative-fault rules, which allow claimants to recover damages that are less than their share of blame. An insurance adjuster can sometimes apply a traffic citation to increase a claimant's share of responsibility for the accident, which could limit their compensation for their injuries.

The fact that someone is mentioned in a car crash could be proof that they caused the crash. However, it is not a guarantee of the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on your case additional evidence may be needed to prove that the other driver was negligent and injured you. This could include witness testimony, evidence at the scene of the accident, and medical records of your injuries.

Police reports

When police officers arrive at a crash site, they fill out an official report. These reports contain both facts and opinions noted by the officers present at the time of the accident. This is an important document to be included in any claim for auto accident lawyer accidents. Insurance companies will also look over the report for fault and compensation.

In accordance with the location, police reports are admissible or not in court. The police report includes statements that aren't sworn in as witnesses. These statements have to fall under an exception to the hearsay law to be admissible as evidence.

A typical police report will include information about the driver's identity, the vehicles and the victims involved in the accident and an account of what transpired and any evidence discovered on the scene. Many police reports include the officer's opinion about the reason for the accident, and who is at fault.

If you're not injured it is recommended that you always file a police report for any incident you're involved in even if it seems to be a minor. Not all injuries are apparent immediately and having a thorough record can help in helping you get the compensation you're entitled to for medical expenses.