West Palm Beach Automobile Accident Attorney

Each year, automobile accidents affect millions of people in this country, inflicting injury and death on those directly involved and sadness and suffering on their loved ones. All too often, our fellow drivers are too blame for crashes. In fact, while motor vehicle accidents can have many causes and conditions, in truth all accidents fall into one or more of four categories: true chance, negligence, intentional misconduct, or product liability. Unfortunately, it is the first category - true chance - that accounts for the smallest number of accidents.

Negligence occurs when a driver does not exercise reasonable care or otherwise take actions to ensure safety: driving too fast, driving drunk or impaired, driving distracted, etc. Negligence is inaction, the failure to act, but carries with it full responsibility for the results. A distracted driver rear-ending another vehicle at a red light is a classic, and relatively benign, example of negligence.

Intentional misconduct, on the other hand, is willful action, taken with at least partial understanding of consequences and implications. Reckless driving, which endangers not only the reckless driver but everyone else on the road, is an example of intentional misconduct.

Whether evidencing intentional or negligent misconduct, a driver can be found responsible for an auto accident and its consequences. In some cases, called "strict liability," neither negligence nor intent would need to be shown, with the damages acting as proof of civil wrongdoing.

Finally, the cause of an auto accident can be found in malfunction of the automobile and therefore the responsibility rests with the manufacturer. The Firestone tire litigation is a prime example of product failure. In that case, a defect in the tire caused accidents beyond the control of drivers. The defects were not intentional but in law the manufacturer was responsible. A similar situation could exist if a repair to the car was done improperly and resulted in a crash.

If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, call The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo at (561-659-6366) or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.