How Fault Is Determined in a Car Accident

When you’re involved in a car accident, among the most important things to identify is who was at fault for the accident. This information can dictate if legal options are available to you. California is considered to be a “fault” state, which means that the insurance company for the at-fault driver will pay medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other forms of compensation. If you’re weighing all of your legal options after being involved in a car accident, you should know more about how fault is proven.

Factors That Determine Fault for a Car Accident

In many cases, the initial police report that’s written following the car accident will be the largest factor in determining who was at fault for the accident. A police report will typically include information about the weather and road conditions as well as a detailed analysis of how the accident happened. Any evidence that you gather will also be taken into account, which includes any photos of the accident as well as witness statements. It’s also important that you avoid admitting fault while at the scene of the accident since the insurance company or judge needs to come to an objective decision.

Legal Options Available If the Other Driver Is Negligent

If you believe that the other driver was at fault for your accident, you will typically have two legal options available to you. You could either file an insurance claim with the company that represents the at-fault driver or you could file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Lawsuits are usually filed in situations where the insurance company wasn’t going to provide a favorable settlement or an injury was involved in accident. An accident lawyer in Las Vegas will be able to help you determine which of these options is right for you.

Types of Compensation You Could Obtain

There are a variety of types of compensation that you can obtain when another driver is at fault for your accident. The main types of compensation include lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the repair or replacement costs for your vehicle.