Determining Fault in Car Accidents: 6 Steps to Take (Pt. 1)

After a traffic accident, the most important thing to do first will be to get injured people the immediate medical treatment they may need. Once this has been done, however, taking some steps to try to figure out who may have been to blame for causing the accident can be crucial. 

In this two-part blog series, we will reveal some specific things you can do in attempting to determine fault in car accidents. Because, however, it’s not always easy to assess liability after traffic accidents – and because these determinations can be vital to whether you receive compensation after the collision, contact the trusted Mount Vernon car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Hassakis & Hassakis when you are serious about your financial recovery after traffic accidents.

Determining Fault in Car Accidents: Here’s What You Can Do

Step 1 – Assess where you were hit or how you hit another vehicle.

How did the accident occur? Did you hit another vehicle or were you hit by another vehicle? If the following pertained to how the accident occurred, liability for causing the accident could rest with another driver:

• Another driver rear-ended you.
• Another driver T-boned you when making a left-hand turn.

Step 2 – Try to assess whether any involved motorists broke a traffic law. 

Did another driver run a red light or stop sign? Or were other traffic laws broken by another driver? If so, determining fault in car accidents can be easy, as that other motorist will generally be deemed to have been liable for the collision. 

Here, we want to point out that, in the event that multiple drivers (or parties) may have broken traffic laws prior to a collision, a percentage of the liability will be attributed to each of the involved motorists who broke the law, and people who are considered to be less liable may still be able to obtain compensation after car accidents.

Step 3 – Talk to the other involved drivers.

After car accidents, talking to the other drivers involved can be important to exchanging the pertinent insurance and contact information (as long as, of course, involved drivers are not too badly injured to do this). During this time, other drivers may also say things off the cuff that could play a role in determining fault in car accidents.

Specifically, when drivers may say things like “sorry, I didn’t know you were there” or “I didn’t mean to hit you,” these statements can used to prove liability later. So, be sure to make note of them if or when other drivers may say such things after traffic accidents.

The second part of this blog series will highlight the last three steps to take in determining fault in car accidents – so be sure to check it out!

Mount Vernon Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Have you or a loved one been hurt in a traffic accident? If so, the experienced and trusted Mount Vernon car accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are ready to stand up for your rights and help you secure the compensation you may deserve. 

If you are ready to learn more about your best legal options and how we can help you, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.