Of all the personal injury cases in Torrance, and throughout the rest of the state, by far the most common involve car accidents. California is a tort state, which means that you can file a claim against the negligent driver to recover any damages, or losses, you sustained during the crash. It is common to think that the negligent, or careless, person is always one of the drivers at the scene of the accident, but that is not always true. There are potentially many liable parties responsible for any car crash. It is also not uncommon for accident victims to be blamed, at least partly, for causing the accident. Negligent parties do this to shield themselves from paying full damages. A Torrance car accident lawyer can determine which party was responsible and refute statements that you were partly at fault.
Who is Liable for Car Accidents in Torrance?Car accident claims, just like all other personal injuries, rest on negligence. Negligence is the legal term for carelessness and it can take many forms. Drunk driving, distracted driving, failing to yield, and speeding are just some of the most common types of negligence that cause car accidents.
You can hold negligent parties liable for paying damages after a crash. You must prove four elements of your claim when proving negligence. These are as follows:
Proving the other party owed you a duty of care is usually fairly easy after a car crash because all drivers owe other motorists a duty to act reasonably so everyone is kept safe. The other elements though, are not as easy to prove. A Torrance car accident attorney will know how to prove the above elements so you claim the full damages you deserve.
Car Accidents and Comparative NegligenceAgain, the other party may try to argue that you contributed to the crash, at least partly, so they do not have to pay you the full amount of damages you deserve. Still, even if it is found that you were partly at fault, you can still claim a portion of your damages. California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can claim damages even if you were 90% at fault for the accident. However, any damages you are awarded will be reduced by your same percentage of fault. It is critical to work with a car accident lawyer in Torrance who can refute these claims so you recover maximum damages.
Call Our Car Accident Attorney in Torrance TodayIf you have been injured in a crash, our Torrance car accident lawyer at Brod Law Firm has the necessary experience to help you claim full damages. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.