Yes, someone can sue you for a minor car accident. On the other hand, you may sue someone for a minor car accident, too. Who can sue generally depends on the share of liability for the accident.
How to Determine Liability for an Accident
Negligence generally determines liability in car accidents. The American Bar Association (ABA) explains that negligence:
- Occurs when someone’s unreasonable actions cause harm
- Includes unintentional acts
- Can be shared among multiple motorists
The negligent party is generally responsible for the other motorist’s losses. If both parties were negligent, then the more negligent party generally covers losses.
So, if it is determined that you are 30% at fault for an accident, the other driver may still cover some of your losses.
What Types of Negligence Can Cause a Car Accident?
Some forms of negligence that can cause a car accident are:
- Texting while driving, which the Hands Free Georgia Law makes illegal
- Using a cell phone for any other purpose while driving
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
- Speeding
- Changing lanes in a dangerous or illegal manner
- Running a red light
- Running a stop sign
- Driving an unsafe vehicle
You can generally sue someone for these actions, even if your accident seems minor.
Is the Motorist Always at Fault?
In some accidents, a motorist may not be the liable party. Or, they may be one of the multiple parties who owe you compensation.
Others who can be liable for a car accident are:
- A driver’s employer
- A mechanic responsible for a dangerous vehicle
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A vehicle part manufacturer
- The governmental entity in charge of road conditions
Our team will determine liability for your car accident.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Can a Lawyer Prove Fault for Your Accident?
We may be able to prove that another party is at fault for your accident. Several pieces of evidence may help prove this, including:
- Video footage of the accident
- Witness accounts
- The police report for your accident
- Accident reconstructions
- Photographs
These types of evidence may illustrate how negligence played a role in your collision. There are four elements for proving negligence:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty of care
- Causation
- Damages
Our attorneys understand these elements. They can help collect proof to argue that another party acted negligently and is liable for your losses.
What Types of Awards Can You Receive?
The types of awards that you may receive depend on your losses. Potential losses from a car accident include:
- The cost of medical care
- Lost income caused by injury
- Lost productivity
- Lost professional opportunities
- Lost earning power
- Emotional anguish
- The cost of treatment for trauma
- Any other accident-related losses
You may receive compensation to cover these losses.
How Can You Receive Awards?
Compensation for your losses can come in the form of:
- An insurance settlement
- A pre-trial settlement
- A judgment following a trial
Our team explores the quickest paths to compensation first. We will try to negotiate a settlement. These are generally less costly and time-consuming than going to trial. However, we remain open to all possible avenues of pursuing compensation. Our primary goal is to obtain the awards that you deserve.
How a Lawyer Can Defend Your Rights
It may not be immediately clear who is responsible for your accident. You will want to defend your rights when an insurer makes a determination of fault.
Our firm will protect you by:
- Taking over your case as quickly as we can
- Ensuring that you do not make any inaccurate statements
- Obtaining a clear record of your accident from your perspective
- Speaking with those who witnessed the collision
- Gathering as much evidence as possible
By handling your case, we minimize your contact with insurance companies and attorneys. These parties may:
- Contact you shortly after your accident
- Persuade you to accept a low settlement
- Convince you to admit fault
These parties work for themselves and their clients, not for you. By hiring a lawyer, you have an advocate to stand between you and them.
Can You Afford to Hire a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
Anyone can afford to hire a lawyer for a minor car accident. This is because our firm takes cases on a contingency-fee basis.
Our services:
- Cost you nothing up front
- Cost you nothing out of pocket
- Allow you access to a lawyer regardless of your financial means
Our fee is contingent on securing compensation. Therefore, if you do not receive compensation, then you owe us nothing for our representation.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Call Kaine Law Today to Start a Case
Our team is available around the clock to answer your call. We will answer your questions and explain how to start your case.
Call Kaine Law today at (404) 214-2001 for a free consultation. Do not wait to call, as Georgia has various statutes that may impact your eligibility for filing a case.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
