After a car crash, there will be many questions asked of you. While they may seem redundant, all of them have a basis in trying to get to the bottom of what happened. Whether it is the police, a doctor, or an insurance adjuster asking the questions, you need to be clear-headed enough to answer them. While it may not be possible immediately following a wreck, as time passes and your head clears, you may get a clearer picture of the series of events leading to the crash. Finding a person responsible for the crash is vital for determining what insurance company will pay for whose damages. Determining fault is not always easy, especially when the two sides have differing accounts.
Was a Traffic Law Broken?
Some crashes are the result of a lapse in judgment on the part of a driver. Through the years, the reasons behind the rising number of collisions around the country have varied. There are times when the situation leading to the accident is unavoidable. These accidents may be due to something like the weather that cannot be controlled by any driver. However, many times, the driver responsible for the crash has broken a traffic law. Common examples of fault include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failing to adhere to a traffic control device
When a driver is found to have broken a traffic law, they are usually the one saddled with the responsibility for the crash.
Did You or the Other Driver Apologize?
One way fault is proven is through conversation with those involved. Did you or the other driver proffer an apology or admit to causing the accident? When one of the drivers spontaneously apologizes or admits wrongdoing at the scene or afterward, it is more likely they will be found guilty and at fault.
Are There Witnesses?
When an accident happens, there is almost always someone around to see what happens. If a person offers an account of the accident — primarily if that person is not affiliated with you or the other driver — insurance companies will likely trust this version. The reason is that if someone who doesn’t know those involved in a crash steps forward with an account, it is likely not skewed one way or the other. Therefore, it is the most reliable way for an investigator to find who is responsible.
When a driver’s negligence results in an injury, you want the investigation to prove that you are innocent. When the other driver is found liable, you may be able to recover financial compensation. Contact a lawyer, like a Memphis personal injury lawyer from Patterson Bray, to begin making your case today.