December 19, 2024
Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but what happens when someone other than the driver is also responsible for your injuries? That’s where third-party claims come in. These aren’t your typical insurance claims – they involve holding additional parties accountable when their actions or negligence contributed to your accident.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about third-party claims and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Are Third-Party Claims?
Think of a third-party claim as connecting all the dots after an accident. While the driver who hit you might be obviously responsible, other parties could share the blame too. Maybe the driver was making deliveries for their employer, or perhaps a repair shop did a poor job fixing the brakes. These additional responsible parties are what we call “third parties.”
For example, if a delivery driver hits your car while rushing to make a deadline, you might have claims against both the driver and their employer. Or if a truck’s poorly maintained brakes fail and cause an accident, the trucking company or maintenance provider could be responsible along with the driver.
Common Types of Third-Party Claims
Vehicle-Related Claims
When it comes to vehicles, responsibility can extend beyond just the person behind the wheel. Vehicle owners can be held liable if they let someone drive their car knowing they were unsafe or unqualified – this is called negligent entrustment. For instance, if someone lends their car to a friend they know has a suspended license or history of drunk driving, they could be responsible if that friend causes an accident.
Fleet companies and rental car agencies also have special responsibilities. They must properly maintain their vehicles and ensure their drivers are qualified. They can be held responsible if they fail in these duties and an accident happens. We’ve handled many cases where rental car companies skipped important maintenance checks or fleet companies ignored red flags about dangerous drivers.
Employer Liability
Companies are often responsible for what their employees do on the job. This is especially true in accident cases. If an employee causes a crash while working, their employer usually shares responsibility. This applies to delivery drivers, salespeople using company cars, or anyone else driving for work.
But it’s not always simple. Companies sometimes try to avoid responsibility by calling their drivers “independent contractors.” We know how to look past these labels and hold companies accountable when they should be. For example, we recently handled a case where a company tried to deny responsibility for a crash caused by their delivery driver by claiming he was an independent contractor. We proved the company controlled his work schedule, route, and delivery procedures, making them responsible for the accident.
Maintenance-Related Claims
Poor maintenance can lead to deadly accidents. Auto repair shops, vehicle manufacturers, and parts makers all have a duty to keep vehicles safe. If they fail, they can be held responsible for accidents their negligence causes.
We’ve seen cases where repair shops cut corners, manufacturers ignored defects, or maintenance companies skipped important safety checks. In one case, we represented a client injured when their car’s brakes failed. The investigation showed the repair shop had installed the wrong brake parts and didn’t properly test them. Both the shop and parts supplier shared responsibility for our client’s injuries.
How We Build Your Case
Getting compensation in third-party claims takes more work than typical accident cases. We start with a thorough investigation to find all responsible parties. This might include:
- Reviewing employment records
- Checking maintenance logs
- Getting security camera footage
- Talking to witnesses
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
- Analyzing electronic data from vehicles
We handle all the complex paperwork and legal requirements while you focus on getting better. Our team knows how to:
- Gather the right evidence
- Deal with multiple insurance companies
- Meet legal deadlines
- Calculate full damages
- Negotiate with all responsible parties
Real Challenges, Real Solutions
Third-party claims can get complicated. Often there are multiple insurance policies involved, and each company tries to point fingers at the others. Sometimes we have to figure out which state’s laws apply or deal with different time limits for filing claims. Insurance companies might dispute coverage or argue about policy limits.
But we’ve seen it all before. We know how to handle these challenges and get results. For example, in a recent case involving a commercial truck accident, three insurance companies tried denying coverage. We sorted through the policies, proved who was responsible, and got our client full compensation from all three insurers.
We Help You Get Compensation
We look at every possible source of compensation, including:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injuries or disabilities
- Changes to your quality of life
Sometimes, we can access multiple insurance policies or corporate assets. By finding additional responsible parties, we’ve often gotten clients significantly more compensation.
Why Clients Choose Us
Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve won millions for clients in third-party claims. But more importantly, we treat every client like family. We’re always available to answer your questions and keep you updated on your case.
Our team has the resources and experience to take on big companies and win. We work with top experts and investigators to build strong cases. And we’re not afraid to go to trial if that’s what it takes to get you fair compensation.
Let’s Talk About Your Case
If you’ve been in an accident and think others besides the driver might be responsible, give us a call. We’ll review your case for free and explain all your options. There’s no obligation, and you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Remember, you may have more options for compensation than you realize. Don’t settle for less than you deserve just because an insurance company says that’s all they’ll pay. Let us help you get full compensation from everyone who contributed to your accident.
Contact us today at [Your Law Firm’s contact information] for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve.