In San Diego, motor vehicle collisions claim thousands of lives annually. Millions are spent on compensating the victims. Apart from negligence, car accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons. These include faulty brakes resulting from improper repair or debris on the roads, among others. It is essential to find the exact cause of the accident to handle the claims. A car accident attorney determines the primary cause and helps clients obtain the maximum compensation.
Understanding third-party liability in car accidents
Legally, ‘third-party liability’ means that apart from the two drivers, someone else has to share responsibility for the crash. The person might not have caused the accident directly. But the accident might occur due to the person’s actions or negligence.
Here are some third-party examples that might be responsible for the accidents:
- Auto mechanics (for improper repairs).
- Commercial entities (rideshare platforms, trucking companies).
- Auto manufacturers (for defects).
- Government agencies (for dangerous roads).
In serious injury cases, attorneys often search for additional compensation routes.
How attorneys uncover hidden faults in car crash cases?
There are several things that an attorney does, such as:
- Visiting the accident scene
Along with reading the crash report, an experienced auto accident attorney San Diego will visit the accident site to gather visual evidence. They will use the dashcam footage, smartphone videos or security camera feeds. They will also examine weather conditions to understand the actual situation. Sometimes the accident is not due to the driver’s fault but due to some mechanical malfunction or road design failure.
- Defective vehicle parts revealed in vehicle inspections
The vehicle might have small defective parts in the tires, brakes or steering wheel. Attorneys will get vehicle inspections for faulty parts, poor maintenance and recall issues. If the car maker failed to notify the customers in time of such matters, they may be held liable.
Employer liability comes into play for commercial vehicle accidents
If the accident involves a company car, rideshare driver or a delivery van, the employer might be liable if the driver was on the job. The car accident attorney will look into employment contracts and insurance policies, company training and safety protocols and check the liability laws, even when the employer isn’t at fault directly.
- Poor infrastructure and dangerous roads
San Diego roads have various issues leading to fatal accidents. Some of them include unmarked construction zones, insufficient lighting, potholes and broken pavements, broken or no traffic signals, among others. The state agency or city administration is usually responsible for such negligence. Filing claims against government entities is a tricky affair, and experienced attorneys know how to handle these efficiently.
Choosing the right auto accident lawyer in San Diego for maximum claim and compensation
When the accident involves only one driver, there are limitations to the insurance coverage. The insurers may use different legal loopholes and a lack of evidence to avoid paying the full compensation. An experienced lawyer can identify multiple liable parties, and negotiate for fair and faster settlements.
A veteran auto accident lawyer has the proper legal understanding, experience and technical knowledge to sail through these cases.