Even if we do our best to plan our day, week, month, year or even life, the truth of the matter is that the unexpected will happen. This may come in the form of major house repairs, a lost job, a diagnosis of an illness or even a serious accident. Thus, we are left attempting to navigate what to do when the unfortunate and unexpected events happen. With regards to an automobile accident, this means taking the time to understand your rights and legal recourses.
When accident victims believe that a negligent party caused the crash, it is important to take steps that will help prove this. This means collecting evidence that will help prove your stance on the matter. The
details in a police report are a great start. This describes the accident site and what was observed. It even explains if any charges resulted because of the crash.
While a police report can be detailed and helpful, they lack some necessary information. This is where witness accounts and expert testimony can be beneficial. This can help fill in any gaps and even explain who was at fault by considering the available facts, such as collision points, marks on the road and the angle of a turn.
The type of crash could also help explain who was at fault. With a rear-end collision, which is one of the most common types of accidents, it is almost always the fault of the person that struck the rear of the other vehicle. This is because the vehicle struck was likely stopped at a light, stop sign or in traffic. Another type of accident that is easy to determine fault is a left-turn collision. It is almost always the fault of the driver taking a left turn, as they are driving through an intersection with vehicles traveling straight.
Those harmed in a car accident should take the time to explore their options. A personal injury action could help address the losses and damages suffered in the crash. It can also hold a negligent driver accountable.