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What if the ‘accident’ involves intentional wrongdoing?
When O.J. Simpson went to the home of his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson, he presumably did so to kill or injure her. It was an "accident" that caused Ron Goldman to be there. Nicole had forgotten her glasses in his restaurant and he was returning them.
Although Goldman was at Mrs. Simpson’s house by "accident", and Simpson presumably did not go there intending to kill Goldman, O.J., according to a civil jury, intentionally murdered Goldman. As a result Goldman’s heirs and estate became entitled to receive both actual damages, which are intended to cover such things as the value of the clothing he was wearing, the loss of his life, and his "pain and suffering" prior to death PLUS millions of dollars in "punitive damages". Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer, and hopefully to deter him and other potential killers, from future reprehensible conduct. |
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Should I try to settle with the other person’s insurance company?
How do insurance adjusters work on car accidents?
Are different types of accidents treated differently?
What if the ‘accident’ involves intentional wrongdoing?
Suppose the accident involves an inherently dangerous activity?
What about ‘reckless’ conduct?
What about accidents occurring from plain old negligence or carelessness?
Suppose the accident is ‘all my fault’?
What about ‘accidents’ that result from an ‘act of god’?
What about ‘accidents’ resulting from defective products?
If I go to a circus knowing that wild animals are there, or to a baseball game and get hit by a foul ball, do I ‘assume the risk’?
As ‘accidents happen’ why are lawyers involved?
Do people need a lawyer for all accidents?
Do I have to pay the lawyer in an accident case up front?
If I am in an accident do I have to speak to the other side’s insurance company?
I injured somebody in a car accident. The insurance company refused to settle within my policy limits, and the jury awarded damages in excess of my policy limits. Must I pay the excess?
While driving next to a golf course that had no fencing, my car’s window was cracked by a golf ball. The course manager claims no responsibility and told me the person who hit the ball is liable (but is impossible to find). Can I sue the owner of the golf course?
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