I. General Information about Motor Vehicle Accidents
II. What to do if you are in an accident
         A. Immediately after the accident
         B. When the police get to the accident
         C. Soon after the accident
         D. Later
III. Theories of Liability
         A. Negligence
         B. Recklessness
         C. Third Parties
                  1. Drunk Drivers
                  2. Product Manufacturers
                  3. Automotive Technicians
                  4. Government Entities
         D. General Conclusion
IV. Injuries and Compensation
         A. Damages
         B. Damages for Family Members
         C. Insurance
         D. Amount of Compensation
         E. Injuries and Compensation Conclusion
V. Insurance Claims Tips
VI. Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
         A. Uninsured Drivers
         B. Underinsured Drivers
         C. Collecting Damages
         D. Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers Conclusion
VII. No-Fault Insurance
         A. A No-Fault Insurance System
         B. Choice No-Fault
         C. A No-Fault Insurance Policy
         D. No-Fault Insurance Conclusion

General Information about Motor Vehicle Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), someone is involved in a car accident every ten seconds in the United States.  This high frequency of car accidents makes motor vehicle accidents the most common personal injury cases in the courts today.  In most states, motor vehicle accidents are covered by negligence law, although some states have laws (known as “no-fault” laws) that state that the driver that caused the accident is irrelevant to the case.  Generally, however, motor vehicle drivers have to use the amount of care that a reasonable person would employ under the circumstances.  Negligence is failing to use reasonable care.  Drivers who are found to be negligent may be required to pay damages for causing any injury to other people and any vehicle damages.  To collect these damages, the injured party (known as the plaintiff) must show some facts about the other driver (known as the defendant) and the accident.  The plaintiff must show that he or she was injured, that defendant was negligent, that the defendant’s negligence caused the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff’s injuries.  If you were in a motor vehicle accident, a personal injury lawyer with experience in motor vehicle accidents can give you legal advice on how to best protect yourself and your interests.

Back to Top