Newport Township Personal Injury Lawyer
The medical bills in a serious personal injury case usually exceed $50,000. Other economic losses, such as a totaled new vehicle and months of lost wages, could be even higher. Noneconomic losses in a personal injury case, such as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment in life, are almost impossible to calculate. Victims need and deserve compensation for all these losses. Regardless of the need and situation, insurance company lawyers do whatever it takes to reduce or deny compensation to victims.
On the other hand, the dedicated Newport Township personal injury lawyers at The Needle Law Firm do whatever it takes to obtain maximum compensation for these injuries. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. This compensation helps victims pay accident-related bills and continue to live their lives. At this point, that’s the best possible outcome.
First Party Liability
Ordinary negligence is the most common legal theory in car crashes, falls, and other kinds of personal injury claims.
Basically, negligence is a lack of care. Drivers and property owners usually have a duty of reasonable care to avoid car wrecks and ensure the safety of their commercial and noncommercial guests. The aforementioned compensation is available if the tortfeasor (negligent party) breached the duty of care. Motorists usually breach their duty of care if they drive aggressively or while impaired (e.g. substance abuse, medical condition, or fatigue). Property owners breach their duty of care if they fail to address injury hazards that they know about, or should know about.
Negligence per se may be available as well, especially in vehicle collision matters. This time-saving shortcut is available if a tortfeasor broke a safety law and caused injury. There’s no need to prove duty, breach, and the other ordinary negligence elements in a negligence per se claim.
Workers’ compensation usually applies to on-the-job injuries. These victims are entitled to no-fault benefits that cover economic losses. If a defective product caused injury, the manufacturer may be strictly liable for damages.
None of these theories “blame” anyone for anything. Instead, a Newport Township personal injury lawyer files these legal actions to hold negligent individuals or inattentive companies responsible for the mistakes they make.
Third Party Liability
Vicarious liability, or third-party liability, is very common in ordinary negligence and negligence per se matters.
According to the respondeat superior theory, employers are financially responsible for the damages their employees negligently cause during the course and scope of their employment. This theory applies to most commercial drivers, such as bus drivers and Uber drivers, even if these individuals aren’t employees for tax and most other purposes. If companies control these drivers in any meaningful way, they are employees for negligence purposes.
Dram shop alcohol provider liability is common as well, especially since the number of alcohol-related wrecks is so high. In Pennsylvania, commercial providers, like restaurants and clubs, are liable for car crash damages if they knowingly serve intoxicated individuals who later cause wrecks. Physical symptoms, like slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, often prove intoxication at the point of sale.
Negligent entrustment owner liability is available as well. Usually, owners are financially responsible for damages if they allow incompetent operators to use their motor vehicles, and these operators cause wrecks. Enterprise rent-a-car, U-haul truck, and other commercial negligent entrustment cases are more complex, because of the federal Graves Amendment.
Count on a Diligent Luzerne County Personal Injury Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Newport Township, contact The Needle Law Firm. Virtual, home, after-hours, and hospital visits are available.
