Some people have very restrictive ideas about fault and liability following a car crash. All too often, the assumption is that it will always be someone driving a vehicle who is to blame for a crash. In the vast majority of collisions, that is true. One motorist or possibly more than one of them will have done something unsafe or illegal, and the result is that a crash occurs.
However, there are absolutely scenarios in which other parties could directly contribute to the cause of a collision. Who might also have partial or total liability when crashes occur? The three entities noted below are some of the most common alternative defendants named in personal injury lawsuits.
Automotive manufacturers
Every new vehicle typically has to undergo thorough testing for safety. Manufacturers should test their designs for how well they hold up in collisions and ensure that each vehicle, as well as every component installed in a vehicle, meets rigorous safety standards. Mistakes on the production line and errors during the design product process, as well as accepting defective components from suppliers, might result in automotive companies putting out dangerous vehicles with parts or systems that can fail in traffic and cause collisions. When a defect is the direct cause of a crash, the manufacturer of the vehicle or the faulty component might be to blame.
Motor vehicle mechanics
Those who repair motor vehicles and the companies that employ them have some degree of responsibility to the customers that they serve. When negligence on the part of a mechanic or repair specialist is the underlying cause of a crash, the people affected by the wreck might be in a position to take action against the party that worked on their vehicle and made a significant mistake.
Companies with employees who drive
Businesses often require that their employees drive during their work hours. Obviously, the companies that provide delivery service and otherwise require driving from their workers will have some liability for the actions of those at the wheel while on the clock. An organization does not need to operate in the transportation or delivery sector to be liable for the actions of employees at the wheel. A retail manager headed to the bank while on the clock to get change or someone in human resources driving with staff members to off-site training could also cause a crash for which their employer would be responsible. Businesses are technically liable for the misconduct and negligence of their employees during a shift even if driving wasn’t their main job.
Those who experience major losses after a car crash might benefit from looking at the situation carefully to explore if there might be an outside party that bears liability for the collision. Learning more about crash liability rules may benefit those dealing with the aftermath of a recent wreck to receive the total amount of compensation that they’re rightfully owed.