How is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?

Car accidents happen in many ways, and it’s crucial for you to determine the cause of your accident. This is because finding out the cause allows you to determine who is at-fault for the accident.

Even if you live in a no-fault car accident state, fault matters. If the other driver is liable for the accident, you may be able to go through their insurance or file a personal injury claim for damages.

When Can You Determine Fault?

The best time to determine fault is at the scene of the car crash. If there are other witnesses, they can tell you what they saw. They may tell you that they noticed the other driver acting in a negligent manner.

Additionally, the police will shed some light on the situation. Even if your accident is minor, you should call the police to the scene. They will assess the damage and listen to both sides of the story. Furthermore, they will interview witnesses and use their astute powers of observation. After an investigation, they may decide that one of the drivers is at fault.

A confirmation of fault could be issued with a ticket to a driver. If a police officer believes the other driver was speeding before the impact, they’ll give them a ticket. The ticket could be used as evidence that the other driver was liable for the collision.

Of course, you might leave the scene of the accident wondering who or what caused the crash. In some cases, the cause is unclear. If this is the situation, you should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer. They will ask you about the crash and look at all of the evidence. After analyzing everything, they may be able to pinpoint fault.

Who Could Be At-Fault?

In many circumstances, one of the drivers is responsible for the accident. They may have been driving while distracted, erratically changing lanes, or tailgating. But at other times, no one driver is responsible.

Instead of a driver being liable, the blame could be on the shoulders of a third-party. For instance, the local government may have failed to fill in a pothole. A parts manufacturer could have built a faulty part in your vehicle. Your lawyer will be able to tell you who caused your accident.

Why Does Fault Matter?

Because Florida is a no-fault state, you might think that determining fault is a waste of time. However, this couldn’t be further than the truth. The no-fault law only applies to accidents involving minimal property damage or minimal injuries.

Even a small fender-bender could result in thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs. Likewise, a small accident could leave you with chronic injuries. For this reason, fault matters in many Florida car crashes.

By proving fault, you’ll be able to go through the other driver’s insurance agency. This means you won’t have to watch your premiums rise or pay a deductible on damages. It also means you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party. No matter which action you take, you can get the money you deserve.

How a Lawyer Can Help

There were 33,400 car accident injuries in Miami -Dade County during 2016. Sadly, not all victims realize they have a right to compensation. Working with an aggressive car accident lawyer allows you to take the steps necessary to determine fault and seek compensation. To get started, visit the website here and connect with an attorney.