Booming businesses and popular tourist attractions have made New York one of the busiest cities in the world. Because of the hustle and bustle of big city life, many car accidents occur in the city every year. Car accidents are caused by a variety of factors, but it is the court’s job to figure out who is legally responsible for the accident so that they can be held liable for any damages that are incurred.
Most car accident claims arise from negligence on the part of one of the drivers. Drivers are expected to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. If they fail to adhere to this standard, they will likely be viewed as negligent. Negligence will help the courts determine who should be deemed to be at fault for the accident. Courts will look to things such as whether a driver disobeyed traffic signs, failed to signal, drove under the influence of drugs or alcohol or drove above the speed limit.
If a driver is found to have been speeding, improperly changing lanes or improperly passing other vehicles, the court can find his behavior to be reckless. A driver who intentionally behaves recklessly behind the wheel can also be held liable for an accident.
Although less common, there are also car accidents that are not caused by the drivers involved. Some accidents occur as a result of a defect in someone’s vehicle. In those cases, the automobile manufacturer or retailer could be held responsible for any injuries or damages that occur due to the defect. Poorly maintained roads and malfunctioning signals can also play a role in an accident. In these cases, the government entities responsible for highway repair and design could be held liable.
Regardless of the type of accident involved, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Those involved in an accident should act quickly to make sure that no issues in their claim go overlooked.
Source: FindLaw, “Car Accident Basics,” accessed on August 4, 2014
