How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident? A Complete Guide

Every year, there are millions of car accidents that take place all throughout the U.S. They range from minor fender-benders to more serious crashes leading to fatalities.

If you're ever involved in one of these accidents, you might be left wondering, "How is fault determined in a car accident?" Most people want to know who was at fault in auto accidents since it can take a toll on their car insurance rates.

Want to know how car accident fault is determined? We're going to walk you through it here.

Keep reading to find out what goes into determining auto accident fault.

The Police Play a Part in Helping to Determine Car Accident Fault

When you're involved in a car accident, the first thing you should do is call the police. Even if you're only in a minor crash, it's still good to have a police officer come out to the scene to create a report.

In order to generate this report, they'll speak with all those who were involved in an accident. They'll also assess the accident scene themselves to try and make a determination as to what happened before, during, and after the crash.

The report that they come up with can then be used to determine who was to blame for the accident to some degree.

Car Insurance Companies Also Make a Determination on Auto Accident Fault

Most people think that the answer to the question, "How is fault determined in a car accident?", is that police decide who is to blame for a crash. And as we just mentioned, police do play a part in this.

But for the most part, it's going to be car insurance companies that are left to determine who was actually at fault in a crash. They'll use the police report from the crash. But they'll also talk to those involved in the accident and analyze the damage done to vehicles during it to see who should take the blame.

It can take some time for car insurance companies to determine who is at fault for a crash. But they'll do it eventually so that they can decide who is responsible for paying medical and auto repair bills.

Determining Who Is at Fault for a Car Accident Isn't an Exact Science

One thing that's worth noting is that determining who is at fault for a car accident isn't always easy. As a result, there are times when you might be blamed for an accident that you don't believe you caused.

If you find yourself in this position, it would be a good idea to Google "accident attorney near me" and hire a lawyer that specializes in assisting those in the aftermath of car accidents. It could help you get your hands on the money that you deserve following a car crash.

So, How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident? It Can Be Complicated

As you can see, it can be complicated trying to answer the question, "How is fault determined in a car accident?" There are always so many factors at play.

But generally speaking, a combination of the police and car insurance companies will work to get the job done. They'll do their best to determine who deserves the bulk of the blame after a car crash takes place.

Want to learn more about some of the most common car accident causes so that you can avoid getting into a crash anytime soon? Find out about them in the other articles on our blog.