What is an "Intervening Cause" in a Personal Injury Accident

When something intervenes, it comes between two actions or things.  In a personal injury case, an intervening cause is something that comes between an action or someone's failure to act which interrupts the natural continuous flow of events.

Thus an intervening cause is something that alters the natural chain of events that one would expect to happen - which is normally the actions of someone.  If an intervening cause is found, the initial person who started the chain of results which resulted in your Los Angeles personal injuries may have a defense of an intervening cause.

For example, if someone accidently throws a cigarette into an outside trash can, the contents of the trash can may begin to burn.  If someone else came by and kicked the trash can over causing its contents to land nearby a building - ultimately causing the building to burn down - the second person to kick the trash can over was an intervening cause.  Under the normal circumstances, the contents of the trash can may burn, but the trash can would not have fallen over except for the actions of the responsible party.  Therefore, the owner of the building could seek compensation from the person who kicked the trash can over, and not necessarily the person who started the initial fire.

If you have any questions regarding intervening causes with respect to your Los Angeles personal injury accident case, you may reach our attorneys at 800-415-4489.