4 Tips to Help Prove Fault in an Auto Accident
It doesn’t matter if you were involved in an accident and weren’t at fault.
There usually will be some point you have to prove. While proving fault may sometimes not be in your hands, it will be in your favor in some circumstances.
In these situations, you don’t have much to prove that these simple tips will prove helpful.
1. No Doubt Liability in Rear-End Collisions
It’s easy to prove no doubt liabilities like rear-end collisions.
It doesn’t even matter if the rear driver was driving close to the bumper. The law supports the front driver in case of rear-end collisions.
It’s because it’s the rear driver’s responsibility to maintain adequate distance between him and the front driver. The rear driver is also at fault for closing the gap as it increases the risks of a collision.
The rear driver is considered guilty for the same reasons even if the driver in front suddenly stops, leaving a tiny gap. The court may challenge the front driver only if he fails to maintain brake lights and other measures.
2. No Doubt Liability for Left-Turn Auto Accidents
Sometimes the car driving straight is struck by another vehicle turning left. In this case, the turning driver is thought to be at fault for making the turn without maintaining sufficient time and space.
Fortunately, proving fault is relatively more straightforward in these accidents. The court or insurance company can decide by taking a look at the damage to the cars.
The turning driver ends up with a damaged front portion while the other vehicle’s front but right side is damaged.
If they run a red light or speed, the driver traveling straight is liable for the left-turn collision.
Do not worry if all of this seems confusing.
And you aren’t sure of your fault level.
Your Burbank auto accident attorney will help you understand who is at fault and liable for the accident.
3. Clear Traffic Law Violations
There are no questions asked if you can prove that the at-fault party has broken some traffic laws like:
- Speeding
- Running a stop sign
- Failure to yield
However, as state and local laws vary, you need to research if some violations apply in your case. Look up the exact motor vehicle statute and use appropriate vocabulary when talking with the insurance company’s claims adjuster.
It’s because there’s always the risk of your citing the wrong statute.
And making this mistake only makes you look silly and affects the claim process. It’s instead better to hire a qualified auto accident attorney in Burbank than going through this embarrassment and the research work.
4. Check Police Reports
Always get, and examine the police report copy before claiming after an auto accident. You can learn through it if the responding officer cited the other driver for violations or their views about the cause.
The report is critical while making claims. This precious tool can prove the other driver’s liability and protect your interests. Besides, there’s a lower chance of insurance companies paying damages if there’s no documented police file.
And if you do get the report, make sure you check it to ensure everything is right and in order.
You can quickly fix simple errors in the date, time, or place.
However, you must follow specific procedures if there’s a mistake about who is at fault. In this case, it is better to turn to an attorney to handle it and to help determine who is at fault.