A Trip Back In Time What People Said About Motor Vehicle Attorneys 20 Years Ago
What Is a Motor Vehicle Case? A motor vehicle case is a personal injury lawsuit that involves the accident of a motor vehicle. Although most cases are governed by the standard common-law notions of negligence but there are a range of particular issues that pertain to this practice area. Under New York law, owners of vehicles are accountable for accidents that occur when their vehicles are operating with their permission, whether explicit or implied. Our dedicated legal team handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. Eyewitness Testimony Eyewitness testimony can be an important addition to other evidence in a motor vehicle accident. This type of testimony can be used to identify the perpetrators of crimes and provide details about how the accident occurred. However there is a large body of research indicating that eyewitness accounts can be extremely in error. Witnesses are susceptible, for example, to make a mistake when recollecting an object's color or shape. Additionally, perceptual distortions — such as fading memories can also distort a witness's memory of an event. Witness memory can also be impaired if a witness is given specific questions or facts. For instance, researchers in one study found that asking participants to estimate the speed at which a car was traveling affected their responses. Other factors that affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony include age, attention skill, stress level, health conditions, prejudice, previous experience, cognitive status, the degree of certainty or confidence in the form of suggestion, bias lineups and personal or racial bias. Even though many experts will claim that eyewitness testimony is able to be relied upon however, it is important to educate jurors and law enforcement agencies regarding the possibility of errors in this type of evidence. In motor vehicle accident law firm wilmington , faulty eyewitness testimony has been the cause for wrong convictions, and even murder. In 2018, the Innocence Project proved that the fingerprints found on a coffee cup that a witness had used to identify a suspect in a burglary, were not the Royal Clark's. Vehicle Inspection As a general rule, vehicle inspections must be performed every year. Certain vehicles, like private-label vehicles or those with expired inspection stickers might require more frequent inspections. It is also required in certain situations, for instance when residents of New York moves and needs to change their address, it is required that their vehicle is inspected prior to when the new stickers can be issued. An inspector will first verify a few specifics, such as the make and model of the car and the registration date, odometer reading and so on. They then begin to examine the vehicle's interior, beginning with the most obvious parts such as the mirrors, lights, windshields, and horn. There are numerous checklists to ensure an accurate inspection is done, including checking for things like rust or suspension parts. Drivers need to be alert and be aware of pedestrians, motorists, and any potential dangers. In the event of a crash, it could be considered negligent. It is also the driver's responsibility to ensure that they are in control of their vehicle at all times. A vehicle with a defect could cause a loss of control of the vehicle which could cause serious injuries. A vehicle's manufacturer may also be held accountable for the accident when it was caused by an automobile defect or part. Parts or Components that are Defective To make a car function correctly, thousands of tiny mechanical parts and electrical components must work together. If one of these components fails, the consequences can be catastrophic. Often, these accidents are caused by manufacturing defects or other issues in the construction or design of a particular component. When a malfunctioning car part is the cause of an accident, the responsible party may be liable for the payment of the victims of the crash for their injuries. Many people believe that the majority of car accidents are caused by human error. While 94 % of car crashes are caused by driver errors but there are other causes which can cause a crash including road conditions, and defective auto parts. Defective auto parts include brakes, airbags, seatbelts and tires or any other device that may not function as designed, leading to an accident. These problems could result from parts purchased from an aftermarket store that were not designed as carefully as the original components on a car. Sometimes, the problem may be present in the design of the particular component. Manufacturers are required by law to make vehicles that meet minimum safety standards. If the vehicle or its components weren't designed or constructed according to these standards, the manufacturer may be held responsible in a product liability lawsuit for any damage that occurs in the event of an accident that was caused by the defective component. Insurance Coverage In the majority of states, drivers are required to have insurance if their negligence or misconduct causes harm to others. Liability coverage includes bodily injury liability as well as property damage liability. The bodily injury liability covers your medical expenses and those of others who are injured by your vehicle in an accident in excess of the policy limit. There is usually a limit for each injured person and a limit for property damage in all forms. Some insurance companies offer policies that have higher limits on these kinds of damages. Property damage insurance will cover to repair or replace your vehicle should it be damaged in any other way than a collision. This includes theft, fire or windstorm, as well as impact from a deer. It can also cover damage to your car from driving over potholes. This type of insurance is required in New York, among other states. In many states in many states, uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM) is required. However, some states only require it when the driver at fault is not insured or has no insurance. The coverage pays you or your passengers for your injuries to property and medical expenses when the driver at fault has no insurance, is uninsured or in a hit-and-run crash.