Once the people involved in a car accident have made sure that everyone else is okay, the next thing that usually takes place is a lot of finger-pointing. Understandably so, since being at fault for an accident can affect everything from the cost of your insurance premium to "points" on your driving record. In this section, we'll discuss common issues of fault when it comes to car accidents, from fairly clear-cut cases (like rear-end accidents) to crash scenarios where more than one driver is to blame.
What to Do After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault
The success of a car accident claim often hinges on showing that the other driver was to blame for the crash.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Most car accidents are caused by driver error. Here are the most common driver mistakes, together with some other causes.
Car Accidents Caused by Cell Phone Use
You may be liable for a car accident if you were using a cell phone or other device while driving.
Car Accidents and Police Reports
What does the police report contain, and how is it used during a car accident settlement or lawsuit?
Car Accidents Caused by a Medical Emergency: The Sudden Medical Emergency Defense
How does liability work when the other driver blacks out or has a heart attack?
When Is an Employer Liable for an Employee's Car Accident?
When an employee causes an auto accident, the employer may be on the legal hook for resulting injuries and property damage.
What is Proximate Cause in a Car Accident Case?
Learn how fault for a car accident often comes down to figuring out whose conduct was the "proximate cause" of the crash.
Rear-End Car Accident Caused by Faulty Brakes
In a rear-end collision involving faulty brakes, someone other than the tailing driver could be at fault.
Who’s at Fault in a Side-Impact (T-Bone) Car Accident?
The process of figuring out who’s at fault for a t-bone auto accident starts at the crash scene. Learn about proving fault and damages in these kinds of cases.
Tips for Taking Car Accident Scene Photos
What should you do to preserve visual evidence for your injury claim or lawsuit?
Car Accident Defenses: Contributory and Comparative Negligence
Your financial recovery may be limited if your own negligence played a part in causing an accident.
Car Accidents Caused by Driver Negligence
Understand the legal theory behind the all-important "Who was at fault?" question in car accident cases.
What Happens When Someone Else Gets in an Accident in Your Car
The car insurance coverage picture and potential liability rules when a driver causes an accident in someone else's vehicle.
What You Should Know About Drowsy Driving and Car Accidents
Driving when you're too tired is both unsafe and legally risky.
What If I Black Out and Cause a Car Accident?
Some states recognize the “sudden medical emergency defense,” which can relieve a driver from liability when they suffer an unforeseen medical emergency that causes a car accident. Here's what you need to prove to avoid financial responsibility.
At-Fault Accidents: Driver Liability for Car Accidents
When you're at fault for a car accident, the consequences depend on where you live (in a "fault" or "no-fault" state) and the details of your car insurance policy.
Parking Lot Accident Laws and Liability
When you're in a parking lot accident, fault for the crash isn't usually clear-cut. Here are some key issues to consider.
Liability and Compensation for Rear-End Accidents
Fault is usually, but not always, easy to place following a rear-end car collision.
I disagree with the police report that was written up after my car accident. What can I do?
Find out what you can do if you disagree with or would like to dispute the car accident police report the police officer prepared after your car accident.
What Happens If I Hit a Parked Car?
You're required to take certain steps after hitting a parked car, and fault and insurance rules are the same as with any other kind of car accident.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn't My Fault?
Even if you didn’t cause your car accident, you may still need a lawyer to protect your rights and help you get the best result.
If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt, Can I Still Make a Car Accident Injury Claim?
An in-depth look at how an injured driver or passenger's failure to wear a seatbelt could affect a car accident injury claim against the at-fault driver.
Disputing Fault In a Car Accident Case
Successfully disputing a fault finding in a car accident case can mean the difference between a fair settlement and a denied claim.
Fault in "Chain Reaction" Car Accidents
Determining fault in chain-reaction traffic collisions can be especially tricky, often because these accidents have multiple causes.
Car Accidents: Determining Fault by Location of Damage
Damage to the vehicles involved in an accident can often help tell the story of who was at fault for the crash.
How to Win a 'He Said, She Said' Car Accident Case
How to build your best car accident case when it's your word against the other driver's.