It only takes a few seconds for a car accident to change your life forever. Whether an accident leaves you with debilitating injuries, serious financial losses or both, you need to know how you can rebuild your life and move forward as soon as possible.
One of the ways by which you can do this is to file a civil claim. If your accident was the result of the negligent or reckless actions of another person, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. The foundation of any successful claim is clearly establishing, through evidence and documentation, who or what is at fault for your Minnesota motor vehicle accident.
How can I determine what caused my accident?
There are multiple factors that go into determining who or what is to blame for your accident, and not all of them may be immediately apparent. Determining who is financially liable for your pain and suffering can be complex, but common law generally recognizes the following types of fault:
- Recklessness or blatant misconduct
- Negligence
- Blatant disregard for the law
- Strict liability
Negligence generally encompasses behavior that is inadvertent, while recklessness encompasses needlessly dangerous behaviors, such as texting while driving, speeding and more. If you can prove that you suffered because another drover displayed inadvertent or blatant disregard for the well-being of others and the law, you may have a strong case.
Strict liability would only be a factor in your case if the accident was not the fault of a single person or party, but rather was the result of other factors beyond your control, such as defective auto parts, dangerous road conditions and more.
Why pursue a civil claim?
You may think that it is not worth it to seek financial compensation through a civil claim, either because you feel daunted by the prospect of a complicated legal process or you are unsure of the factors that played a role in your accident. It is normal to have concerns and questions, but you always have the right to know your options.
You can determine the first step in knowing what to do by scheduling a case consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Your legal ally can determine if you have a viable case and work to establish the party or parties that may be financially liable for what you experienced. A car accident is scary and overwhelming; do not navigate the aftermath alone.