What is negligence and why is it important to victims?

On Behalf of | Sep 6, 2019 | Civil Litigation

Negligence law is a cornerstone of personal injury legal protections and remedies for victims. Victims of car accidents or other types of accidents may have heard that the other driver was negligent but wondered what that means. Liability for harm suffered in a car or other type of accident is based on negligence which is why it is so important for victims to understand.

A personal injury claim for damages is a type of civil litigation that allows the victims of another party’s negligence, such as a car accident victim who was injured by a negligent driver, to recover compensation from that negligent driver for their physical, financial and emotional damages suffered because of the driver’s negligent actions. Victims may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages through a personal injury claim for damages based on negligence.

To prove negligence, the victim must show that the negligent driver owed them a duty, that the duty was breached and that it caused the damages they suffered. There are additional complexities that are also associated with proving a claim for damages based on negligence that it is helpful for injured victims to understand as well. Negligence can be proven if the driver was careless and failed to obey traffic signs and signals; was driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or was distracted; or received a citation related to the accident. Those are some examples of potentially negligent behavior and there are others.

Understanding the importance of a personal injury claim for damages based on negligence as an important legal tool to help protect victims is essential for car accident victims and their families. Personal injury legal damages can help them during their time of greatest need following an unexpected car accident.

Archives

Request a Consultation

Top Attorneys 2018
Super Lawyers
Top Attorneys 2019