Understanding How An Auto Accident Can Involve Multiple Negligent Parties

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One thing that can make a huge difference in an auto accident case is how many parties there are to blame for the accident. Even what may seem like a cut-and-dry auto accident involving you and another person, can actually involve far more entities. Often, it takes the expertise of an auto accident attorney to figure it all out.

Negligence Isn't Always What You Think

Usually, an auto accident case depends on proving negligence. You may think, for the purposes of the accident, that negligence implies the other driver's behavior. However, negligence can go far beyond that. Consider all the possibilities that can lead to an accident.

• Bad traffic conditions – Such as congested roads, bumper-to-bumper traffic, non-salted icy roads, etc.
• Bad road layouts and warning – Such as hidden turns, undocumented construction and hazards, etc.
• Inadequate street signage – Such as missing signs, misleading signs, etc.
• Faulty car parts – Such as badly manufactured brakes or other parts
• Avoidable impairments – Such as establishments allowing continuous drinking when impairment is obvious

In fact, there are a tremendous number of factors that can contribute to an auto accident beyond the obvious. It's important to understand this if you want to pursue all avenues of compensation available to you. Not only can this help you receive a larger settlement, it also makes sure that no party escapes judgement.

That judgment is also important, especially if it can help keep others from getting into accidents for the same reasons. For example, a municipality may repair a road or put up proper signage. A third-party manufacturer may issue a recall or make improvements to its product.

Seek Guidance in Figuring Out Blame

It's not always apparent when multiple parties are at fault. To many people, an accident is just an accident, with no extra underlying causes. Because of that, many parties who should face judgement of some sort get away with their negligence.

A car accident attorney knows that auto accidents aren't always so simple. That's why it's important to seek the guidance of one as soon as possible. The lawyer will launch an investigation based on your story. So make sure you give him or her all the details of the accident that you can recall, even down to the smallest details.

For example, if you noticed your vehicle, or the other person's, moved in an odd way before the collision, make sure to let the attorney know. That kind of detail can indicate a mechanical fault or some other issue caused by a third-party or outside influence. Always at least consult with an attorney (like those at Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC or similar firms) first to make sure you cover all the possibilities.

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10 May 2016