When a car accident victim has suffered harm in an unexpected car accident, they may be aware that legal protections are available to help. They may also, however, wonder how a personal injury claim for damages works and in what circumstances they may be able to receive compensation for damages.
It is important for car accident victims to have answers to these questions. When a victim is injured in a motor vehicle accident, they may have legal remedies available to help them recover compensation for damages. Car accidents account for the majority of personal injury claims and greater than 5.5 million car accidents were reported during 2012. Personal injury claims for damages can help car accident victims recover compensation for the damages they have suffered from the driver responsible for causing their accident.
Victims of car accidents may be able to recover physical, financial and emotional damages through a personal injury claim for damage including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages. Drivers owe a duty of reasonable care for the safety of those they share the roadways with. When they are careless or negligent, they may be liable for the damages the victim suffers. Driving behaviors that may be considered negligent include disobeying traffic signs or signals; failing to signal while turning; driving above or below the posted speed limit; disregarding weather or traffic conditions; or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
When a negligent driver has harmed a victim in a car accident, a personal injury claim for damages serves as an important protection to hold the negligent driver accountable and help the victim with the harm they have suffered. It is important that car accident victims are familiar with what to do if they have been harmed by a negligent driver.