Third-party liability refers to an individual or entity that was not directly involved in an accident. In some cases, third parties may still be legally liable for an accident, which can potentially increase your financial compensation and broaden your legal rights for pursuing compensation. For example, if you were injured at work, you might usually be limited to filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, if another party besides your employer was responsible for your injuries, you might be able to file a claim against them. If someone else was partially responsible for a car accident in which you were injured, you might be able to file a claim against them, rather than just the at-fault driver who only has the minimum liability insurance coverage.
Here are some parties who may be responsible for your accident and the legal theories to hold them accountable:
Employers
Employers are generally responsible for the negligence of their employees that occurs within the course and scope of their employment. This is because of the legal theory called respondeat superior, which means the master answers for the actions of their servant.
For example, if a worker was running an errand for their boss when they caused a car accident, the injured victim might be able to file a San Antonio personal injury claim against the employer.
Vehicle Owners
Sometimes, a person may lend their vehicle to someone else to drive. Vehicle owners could be responsible for accidents resulting from the failure to maintain the vehicle, such as accidents that occur due to:
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Steering system failures
- Engine failures
- Transmission issues
- Electrical problems
- Broken taillights
They can also be responsible for injuries when they negligently entrust someone to use their vehicle that they knew or should have known was a safety hazard to others.
Property Owners
Property owners are sometimes named in third-party claims when their negligence causes a dangerous condition on the property that results in an injury to someone. For example, if a construction worker fell into a hole that they did not create and that the property owner did not warn them about, they might be able to file a third-party claim against the property owner, as well as any workers’ compensation claim that they might have a right to file.
Product Manufacturers
Product manufacturers can be held responsible for accidents involving manufacturing, design, or warning defects. For example, if an auto part was defective and this defect contributed to a car crash, the auto part manufacturer may be held liable. The injury victim can file a product liability claim against the responsible party.
Providers of Alcohol Beverages
Texas’s dram shop law allows injury victims to hold alcohol vendors and social hosts responsible if they were harmed due to the actions of a drunk driver who was underage or already visibly intoxicated when the driver caused the accident.
The Government
If a government agency’s employee or negligence caused an accident, you may be able to file a San Antonio accident claim against the involved government entity.
Contact Us for Help with Your Personal Injury Case
If you were involved in an accident in which you suspect a third party may have been responsible for your injuries, George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help identify all liable parties and legal theories to hold them responsible. Contact us today for a free case review to learn more.