Third parties may be held liable for damages arising from a car accident, even if they were not present at the scene. Examples of third parties who may be liable for causing a car accident include vehicle manufacturers if a defective product contributed to the accident, negligent auto repair and maintenance shops, the employer of an at-fault driver who was on the job when the accident occurred, bars that over-served drunk drivers, and government agencies responsible for dangerously designed or negligently maintained roads.
An experienced car accident attorney from Oklahoma City can carefully investigate your accident to help identify all possible causes and liable parties so that at-fault parties are held accountable for paying your damages.
What Is Third-Party Liability?
In a car accident, a third party is someone who was not driving any of the vehicles involved. Many people assume that the liable party must be one of the drivers in the accident. However, others, known as third parties, may be liable if their negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the accident, even if they were not at the scene.
Third-party cases are typically more complex and more challenging to prove than cases involving only a single driver. However, many third-party claims involve much higher insurance coverage limits available to pay for your damages.
At Warhawk Legal, we have decades of combined experience investigating accidents, identifying all liable third parties, and holding them accountable.
Common Third Parties in Car Accident Cases
Some of the most common third parties that could be liable for your damages in a car accident case include:
- Employers of at-fault drivers can be held liable if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. Employers typically have much higher insurance policy coverage limits than individual drivers, which can be critical if your damages are substantial.
- Manufacturers of vehicles and vehicle parts can be held liable if a defect in their product contributed to the accident through a product liability claim. Examples of manufacturing defects in car accident cases include brake failures, steering malfunctions, tire blowouts, accelerator problems, and airbag failures. Most product liability cases use expert testimony to prove that the defect caused your accident.
- Negligent vehicle repair and maintenance shops can be held liable if their negligence causes a car accident. For example, if a mechanic tells you they have repaired your brakes and they are now safe for driving, and then your brakes fail and cause an accident, the mechanic may be liable. They can also be held liable for failing to identify dangerous mechanical problems during inspection or maintenance, or for using defective replacement parts.
- Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores may be liable if they serve or sell alcohol to visibly intoxicated customers who then cause car accidents. This type of claim falls under dram shop laws and can be challenging because you must prove that the at-fault driver was visibly intoxicated at the time that the business served them.
- Vehicle owners may be held liable if they permit another person to drive their vehicle and that person causes an accident.
- Government entities may be liable for accidents if their negligence caused your accident. This includes accidents arising from dangerously designed or negligently maintained roads, inadequate signage, and malfunctioning traffic signals.
How An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Third-Party Claim
An experienced car accident lawyer can carefully investigate the facts surrounding your accident to help identify liable third parties. They can take fast action to preserve vital evidence before it is lost or destroyed and uncover the proof needed to build your strongest case.
Your attorney can help establish and accurately value all your current and future economic and non-economic damages so you know what a fair settlement of your claim would be. They can help identify all sources of insurance coverage or other assets available to pay your damages.
An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies and defense attorneys to reach a fair settlement of your claim as quickly as possible. And if a fair settlement cannot be reached, they can take your case to trial to help secure the full value of your claim.
Contact Warhawk Legal Today
At Warhawk Legal, our car accident lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources to help identify all liable parties and hold them accountable for paying your damages. We are committed to helping you secure maximum compensation for your car accident claim.
Call (405) 397-1717 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation today.