Of all the personal injury claims filed in Beverly Hills, car accidents are some of the most common. California is a tort state when it comes to collisions on the road, which means determining fault is one of the first steps any accident victim must take. Determining who is at fault for a crash is never easy, though, and the blame does not always lie with a person at the scene. Manufacturers, government entities, and others may also share a degree of fault. If you have been injured, it is critical that you speak to a Beverly Hills car accident lawyer who can help you identify the liable party so you receive the fair settlement to which you are entitled.
Who is at Fault for a Car Accident in Beverly Hills?Any time a motorist drives negligently, or carelessly, and cause a crash as a result, they are liable for the accident. Negligent acts take many forms, but some of the most common are texting while driving, speeding, impaired driving, failing to yield right-of-way, and aggressive or reckless driving.
While you can file a claim against any negligent party that causes your crash, your word alone is not enough, unfortunately. You must prove four important elements of your case. You must show the other driver owed you a duty of care to keep you safe, that they breached that duty with a negligent act, and that there is a direct link between the act of carelessness and the accident. You must also show you sustained damages, or losses, as a result.
Although another driver at the scene of the crash is usually at fault, there are other entities that may be to blame, as well. When defective parts, such as brakes or tires, cause a crash, the manufacturer can be held liable for causing the crash. On the other hand, if a defective road design causes an accident, the government entity responsible for that portion of the roadway can be held to blame. Determining who is liable is never easy, so it is always important to speak to a Beverly Hills car accident lawyer who can help.
Car Accidents in Beverly Hills and Comparative FaultThere are many instances in which multiple parties are at fault for a crash. In these situations, each party is assigned a percentage of the blame. California is governed by a pure comparative fault system, which stipulates that injured individuals can still file a claim to recover compensation even if they contributed 99% to the crash. However, any damages they receive will be reduced by that same percentage of fault.
Liable parties almost always try to shift the blame to accident victims to reduce the amount of damages they must pay. A car accident attorney in Beverly Hills can defend against these claims so you obtain the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer in Beverly Hills for a Free Case ReviewIf you have suffered serious injuries in a crash, our Beverly Hills car accident attorney at Brod Law Firm can determine who is liable so you obtain the maximum damages you are entitled to. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or reach out to us online to schedule a free review of your case.