Everybody knows how the old adage goes: Accidents happen.
But what does that really mean? Does it mean that accidents just happen and everyone should just accept that? There is no cause? No way to prevent them?
Well, that just is not the case. Accidents and the injuries from them do happen but they can also be prevented or avoided. There is almost always a cause for the accident and more often than not it stems from negligence.
Negligence is what lawyers will attempt to prove when it comes to proving who is at fault for an accident or injury. Negligence comes into play in many different types of cases, such as the ones listed below. In these types of cases, negligence can make all the difference in the final verdict.
- Slip and falls – these occur due to hazards like icy sidewalks or walkways and wet floors without proper designation. It is the property owner’s responsibility to keep the property safe for patrons and failing to do so is negligence.
- Motor vehicle accidents – many different factors play into causing a motor vehicle accident. They vary from distracted driving to inclement weather to faulty equipment to breaking the law. In each instance, negligence can be found on the part of the driver or manufacturer.
- Motorcycle accidents – safely sharing the road with motorcyclists is something not many motorists tend to do. Motorcycle collisions occur all the time because drivers of motor vehicles fail to take the necessary precautions to spot motorcycles on the road. They fail to properly check mirrors or signal turns or even drive while texting. All can be prevented and proven as negligence.
- Premises liability – these cases usually go hand in hand with slip and falls but can extend further than temporary hazards. Faulty smoke detectors, inadequate lighting, unmaintained elevators, and escalators are just a few things property owners can be found negligent of.
- Nursing home abuse – sometimes one of the more overlooked incidents, nursing home abuse usually stems from negligence. It can be on the part of the staff who fail to properly change gloves or report incidents or abuse. But negligence can also fall on the maintenance of the facility itself with making sure it is a safe and suitable place for the elderly at all times.
- Dog bites – it seems silly to blame a dog for biting or injuring a person who maybe got too close. In truth, it is usually the negligence of the owner that leads to a dog being unmanageable or aggressive and their failure to keep them on a leash or trained can end up grounds for a lawsuit.
There are plenty of other cases where accidents and/or injuries could have been prevented. Your accident may have never happened if the other party was not neglecting the law, whether it be the speed limit or clearing the sidewalk after a snowstorm.
If you believe your accident or injury came about due to someone else’s negligence then you have the right to pursue legal action. You should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to find out if your accident could have been prevented.
The lawyers at the Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran, P.C. are well-versed in South Jersey personal injury litigation. They can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call 856-317-6558 or fill out our online contact form to begin discussing your case and legal options today.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.