How can you tell who is at fault in a crash? Take these measures first.
After a car accident involving more than one vehicle, the tension is high. One has to assess who is at fault and whether or not to take legal action. Consequences abound. When proving fault in a car accident, one should always consult these four materials.
Records
If you ever find yourself in this circumstance, you should always remember to record the scene and exchange information with the other driver. Take pictures or video of the damage. Exchange information such as the driver’s name, number, address, vehicle insurance, and license number. If there are any witnesses, ask for their contact information as well. You may also want to write an account of what happened as soon as you can.
Police Report
Especially if someone was hurt or the car was severely damaged, you will want to call the police. The police will make a written accident report describing the type of accident it was. It could be in more or less detail, such as “negligent driving” or “rear-end collision.” One can obtain a copy of the report from the local police department for insurance and legal purposes.
Local Traffic Laws
To prove who was at fault for the car accident, one can also look at local traffic laws. Did anyone neglect the traffic rules? If someone was careless or reckless in their behavior, their actions may have caused the accident. You can look to your state’s “Vehicle Code” for reference.
Common Cases
Lastly, the law typically is lenient toward one person or another depending on the type of accident it was. Rear-end collisions, by logic, usually happen because the back driver ran into the one in front. The back driver should always have enough control to stop the vehicle when necessary. With one car damaged in the back and one in the front, it’s fairly easy to tell what happened. However, the front driver could also be negligent in that they braked suddenly or did not have working taillights.
Meanwhile, left-turn accidents are usually the fault of the left-turning driver, who is responsible to ensure the coast is clear before moving. Speeding, distracted driving, and crossing a red light are all potential issues involved. Even here, though, there could be an exception to the rule.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.