Accidents and personal injuries can happen at any time, often resulting in physical, emotional, and financial hardships. One of the most crucial aspects following an injury is determining who is at fault. This question is not easy to answer, as there are various factors and parties that could be held accountable. The following are some of the most common parties held accountable for another person’s injuries:
Property Owner
One of the most frequently encountered situations is when an individual gets injured on someone else’s property. This is known as premises liability.
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners or occupiers for any accidents and injuries that happen on their property due to their negligence or failure to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors.
Example: A customer slips and falls in a supermarket because someone spilled water on the floor, and management failed to clean it up promptly. In this case, the supermarket would be responsible for any injury sustained by the customer.
Driver
Another common scenario is when an individual gets injured due to a traffic accident. In such cases, the driver responsible for the accident can be held accountable for the injuries arising from the incident.
However, determining liability in a car accident is not always straightforward. In certain circumstances, numerous factors and parties may have contributed to the accident, such as adverse weather, mechanical faults, or irresponsible pedestrians.
Example: A driver fails to stop at a red light and hits another car, causing serious injuries. That driver is likely responsible for the other driver’s injuries.
It’s important to note that some states follow a “no-fault” system for car accident injury claims. In these states, each driver’s insurance pays for their own medical expenses and other damages, regardless of fault. However, severe or catastrophic injuries may still allow victims to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
Employer
In certain situations, your employer may be held responsible for your injury. This typically occurs when the injury happens in the course of your employment. Employers are bound by law to provide a safe working environment, and when they fail to do so, they can be held accountable.
Workers’ Compensation
Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides financial assistance to injured workers. In most cases, workers’ compensation will cover some of your medical expenses and lost wages, but the amount and duration of the payments vary depending on the severity of your injuries. In exchange for workers’ compensation benefits, you generally waive the right to sue your employer for negligence.
Manufacturer
A manufacturer can be held responsible for your injury if it’s caused by a defect in their product. The defect can arise in the following ways:
Manufacturing Defects
A manufacturing defect occurs when a product is improperly made, deviating from its intended design. In these cases, the product may become dangerous to use or fail to perform as expected, which can lead to injuries or damages. Common manufacturing defects include:
- Faulty airbags in vehicles that deploy unexpectedly or don’t deploy at all
- Toys with easily detachable small parts, posing choking hazards
Design Defects
Unlike manufacturing defects, design defects are inherent issues present in a product from the start – there isn’t a defect in the manufacturing process. These flaws can make the product unreasonably dangerous and may lead to injuries, even when used as intended. Design defects affect an entire product line, as they stem from a fundamental mistake or oversight in the planning stage. Examples of design defect cases include:
- A chair with weak legs, causing it to collapse under normal use
- A top-heavy SUV that has an increased risk of rollover accidents
Failure to Warn
Failure to warn, also known as “marketing defects,” deals with the manufacturer’s duty to provide adequate instructions and warnings regarding possible dangers linked to using their product. When companies fail to communicate these necessary precautions, consumers may not be aware of potential risks, leading to injuries or damages. Some examples of failure to warn cases include:
- A powerful cleaning agent lacking proper instructions on safe handling and storage
- A prescription drug missing crucial information on potentially harmful drug interactions
- Machinery without clear safety instructions or hazard warnings
Driver’s Employer
In commercial vehicle accidents involving trucks, buses, or vans, the driver’s employer may be held liable for your injuries under specific circumstances:
Negligent Hiring/Training
An employer may be responsible if they negligently hired a driver with a history of unsafe driving or failed to provide adequate training required for safe operation of the vehicle.
Example: A trucking company that hires a driver with previous license suspensions and a history of speeding can be held accountable if the driver causes an accident due to their reckless behavior.
Violation of Safety Regulations
An employer may be held liable if they knowingly allow their employees to operate vehicles in violation of certain safety regulations, like exceeding maximum driving hours without proper rest or maintenance.
Example: A bus company that ignores the requirement for drivers to take regular breaks could be held responsible if a fatigued driver causes an accident.
Vicarious Liability
Under the “respondeat superior” legal doctrine, employers can be held liable for the actions of their employees in the course of performing their job duties. This means that if a commercial driver negligently causes an accident, their employer can be held responsible for any injuries caused.
Example: A delivery driver engaging in reckless driving, such as speeding or running red lights, causes an accident while performing their duties. The employer could be held liable for the injuries sustained by the parties involved.
You Could Be Partially Responsible For Your Own Injuries
In some situations, an injured person might be partially responsible for their own injuries. This is particularly true in cases where the victim failed to take reasonable precautions to mitigate the potential harm.
Example: You slip and fall on a wet floor because you ignored a clearly-marked warning sign, so might be held partially accountable for your injuries.
This concept of shared liability is based on a legal theory known as comparative negligence. It’s important to familiarize yourself with this concept if you’re involved in a personal injury case, as it can greatly impact the outcome of your claim.
There are several approaches to comparative negligence, and they can be categorized into three primary models:
Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this model, an injured party can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for the accident. The amount of compensation they can receive is reduced proportionately by their percentage of fault.
Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Rule): In some states, injured parties can only recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault. This means that if their fault exceeds 49%, they cannot receive any compensation.
Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Rule): Similar to the 50% rule, this model allows an injured party to recover damages only if their fault is 50% or less – so if their fault is determined to be 51%, they cannot receive any compensation.
It’s essential to know your state’s comparative negligence laws since the treatment of your personal injury case will vary based on which model your state follows.
How Comparative Negligence Affects Your Personal Injury Claim
In a case where both parties are partially at fault, the court will determine the percentage of responsibility for each party.
For example, if you slip and fell in a store due to a wet floor, the jury might decide that you were 30% at fault for not paying attention to the warning sign, while the store was 70% at fault for not cleaning up the mess promptly. If your total damages amount to $10,000, your compensation would be reduced by 30% (your percentage of fault), leaving you with a recovery of $7,000.
If you were injured and believe someone else is at fault, it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer right away.