Fault for Car Accidents in Alabama
Car accidents are known to cause devastating injuries. When someone else is responsible for causing your car accident in Alabama, you may be entitled to financial compensation. But figuring out who is at fault for the accident could prove to be more of a challenge than you might have previously thought.
Fortunately, a Huntsville car accident attorney could help you uncover the truth. This is one of the most important components of your car accident case because the liable party is the one who will be compensating you for your suffering and losses.
Sometimes, the person or persons who are liable for the accident are obvious. Other times, this is not the case. Your lawyer can thoroughly investigate to determine which parties should be held accountable for your losses. Continue reading to learn more about some of the most common parties found to be culpable for car accidents in Alabama.
Negligent Drivers
The most common cause of car accidents is negligent drivers. When drivers do not do their part to drive their vehicle safely at all times, they can cause catastrophic car accidents. Some drivers will consume drugs or alcohol and drive while impaired, for example. Drunk driving is a criminal offense in Alabama as well. If your accident was caused by a drunk or drugged driver, you may be able to file a claim against them in civil court.
Other types of driver negligence known for causing severe car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to stop
- Road rage
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to yield
- Illegal turns
- Driving while fatigued
It is easy to assume the driver of the vehicle that hit you is at fault for your accident. But this may not always be the case. Read on to find out what other parties could have played a part in causing your car accident.
Dram Shops
Was your car accident caused by a drunk driver? If so, the place that over served or sold them alcohol could also be at fault for your accident. Establishments such as restaurants, bars, and liquor stores can be held accountable when they serve alcohol to individuals who are already under the influence. These establishments are known as dram shops.
Few bartenders or other parties are likely to admit to over serving someone. So you’ll need an experienced car accident attorney to represent you in court if this is true for your case.
Defective Auto Parts
You have probably heard of car parts being recalled before. This happens when a part is defective and has already caused or has the potential to cause severe injury. The manufacturer will then pull the part from the market and issue a recall. The recall also allows people with the same vehicle to get the defective part replaced free of charge.
This is the responsible way to handle a defective car part. But it can damage a company’s reputation and cost them money as well. For this reason, they may refuse to issue recalls or wait to recall the part until numerous injury complaints have been filed.
Government Agencies
Finally, it is possible the government agencies responsible for road maintenance in your area could be at fault for your car accident. If the roadways are unsafe in some way, whether it be because of broken pavement, potholes, work zones, or other hazards, these government agencies could be responsible for compensating you.
But going up against a government agency can be a challenge. The laws surrounding sovereign immunity could get in your way without the help of an experienced attorney.
