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Martin County Rutherford Automobile Accident attorneys
Millions of people are injured each year in automobile accidents. Often, these accidents are very serious. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every 10 seconds someone in the United States is involved in an automobile accident. In 2005, there were approximately 6,159,000 police reported traffic crashes. In these accidents, 43,443 people were killed and approximately 2.7 million people were injured. Other startling statistics include:
- Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of injury death in the US for people between that ages of 3 years - 33 years.
- Motor vehicle crashes took the lives of 2,348 children (ages 1 to 15) and 6,964 teenagers (ages 16 to 20) in 2005. In addition, older adults (over 65) remain a high-risk age group for motor vehicle fatalities.
- In the United States, 4,881 pedestrians passed away from traffic-related injuries, and another 59,119 pedestrians suffered from non-fatal injuries in 2005.
- In 2005, 33% of traffic fatalities were alcohol related. In these fatalities, either the driver or another injured person such as a pedestrian or a bicyclist had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least 0.08 gram per deciliter (g/dl).
At The Law Offices of Tony Zirkle we use our experience in managing accident cases to investigate all possible contributing causes of an accident to make sure that you receive the most possible compensation for your injuries. Investigating and evaluating all of the facts pertaining to the cause of a motor vehicle accident requires experience and skill. The Law Offices of Tony Zirkle can be responsible for investigating your case so that you can fully concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We can help you find a qualified medical specialist to treat you, and we can make sure your medical care providers wait for payment until your case is resolved through settlement or trial.
Automobile accidents are usually examined under the laws of negligence. This means a person who negligently operates a motor vehicle may be forced to pay any damages caused by their negligence, either to person or property. Normally, people who operate automobiles are legally required to exercise "reasonable care under the circumstances." Most automobile accident lawsuits are based on a failure to use reasonable care.
Courts look to numerous factors when deciding whether a driver was negligent while operating their vehicle. Some examples of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Driving too fast or too slow
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to signal while turning
- Disregarding weather or traffic conditions
- Disobeying traffic signs or signals
- Failing to drive on the right side of the road
Also, a driver may be liable for an accident that resulted from reckless or intentional conduct. A driver who is reckless is one who drives unsafely, with willful and wanton disregard for the probability that the driving may result in an accident.
In certain instances, accidents are caused by factors unrelated to the actions of any specific driver. For example, under product liability laws, an automobile manufacturer or supplier may be liable for injuries caused by a defect or component in the automobile. This was exemplified throughout the Firestone tire litigation. A products liability lawsuit is brought against the seller of a product for selling a defective product that lead to a physical injury to a consumer or user of the product. Furthermore, if a manufacturer of a product creates a defective product, either in developing, designing or labeling the product, the manufacturer is legally responsible for any injures the product causes. This is the case regardless of whether or not the manufacturer was actually negligent.
In another example, if a mechanic neglects to correctly repair a vehicle, and this causes an accident, the mechanic who improperly repaired the automobile - and his repair shop - might be liable for any injuries sustained. Other factors, including poorly maintained roads and malfunctioning traffic control signals, may also contribute to the cause. Improper planning, such as improper design, maintenance, signage, construction, lighting or other highway defect, as well as incorrect striping on the road's passing lanes, a sharp obstruction or trouble with the roadway that obstructs drivers' vision, badly placed trees and utility poles can also lead to serious accidents. Finally, if an accident is caused by a drunk driver, a bar or social host may be legally responsible for damages sustained if they served an plainly intoxicated guest, who later drives and causes an accident.
In all automobile accident cases it is important that measures be taken immediately to preserve evidence, inquire about the accident in question, and to allow qualified physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of an automobile accident, don´t hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Tony Zirkle of Martin County in Rutherford, Indianatoday. After all, the first consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to take your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis. That means we only get paid for our services if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Do not delay! You may have a legal claim and be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries; however, a lawsuit must be filed before the Indiana statute of limitations expires.
Let our Martin County Rutherford Automobile Accident attorneys help you!
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