There are multiple parties who may be liable for damages in a Pennsylvania car accident case. As a general rule, a court will likely hold the driver of the car that collided with yours responsible for his or her negligent behavior. In addition, any company that produced, sold or installed a defective vehicle part could be a defendant in a personal injury case.
Why a driver might be liable for damages
All motorists have a duty of care toward other drivers with whom they share the road. If an individual was drunk, distracted or driving too fast for road conditions when a crash occurred, that person has likely violated that duty of care. Therefore, the law will likely conclude that driver negligence played a role in a motor vehicle accident.
Why a company might be found liable for damages
Companies that make, sell or install vehicle parts are often held to a strict liability standard. This means that a court could hold them responsible for accidents caused by a faulty product whether they knew about a defect or not. You may be able to seek punitive damages in a civil case if a party knew about a defect and chose to make or sell it anyway.
If you get injured in a motor vehicle accident, it may be in your best interest to consult with a personal injury attorney. He or she may be able to develop a strategy to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Resolution of a case could come by negotiating a settlement outside of court or by filing a lawsuit. You typically have two years from the date of a truck accident to pursue litigation.