Car Accidents

Thousands of people are killed in motor vehicle crashes and millions are injured every year. There are many causes of motor vehicle accidents, but they can usually be divided into negligence, intentional misconduct, or product liability. Other categories such as "acts of nature" certainly exist, but are far less frequent.

Negligence is perhaps the most common cause of automobile accidents. Negligent acts occur when a driver does not exercise reasonable care (for example, driving too fast or too slow for the road and weather conditions). Distraction, carelessness or impairment are just a few of the many areas in which negligence can occur, but whatever the circumstances, negligence is a failure to be careful rather than an intentional act to cause harm.

By contrast, intentional misconduct is an action taken when the drivers know that their actions could cause harm and do not care, or actively desire to harm others. Motorists who drive at high speeds, weave in and out of traffic, or disregard signs and signals are putting themselves and others in grave danger.

Product failure is another contributor to auto accidents. The Firestone tire recall of 2000 is a prime example of a company reacting to product failure. In that case, defects in the tire’s manufacture caused accidents beyond the control of drivers. Certainly the defects were not intentional, but by law the manufacturer can be held responsible for its failure to produce safe products. A similar case could be made against a mechanic who performed an improper repair to a car that resulted in a crash. In some states, even a business or individual who supplied alcohol and allowed a motorist to drive intoxicated could be held liable for damages in addition to the drunk driver.

If you believe you may have a car accident injury case, contact us today for more information.