Driving along, listening to a song, paying attention to your favorite podcast or just chit-chatting with your friend in the passenger seat and BANG!!!!, loud noise and one vehicle hits another. Guess what, you are in an accident, but who is at fault? Well, just like an exam, results will be decided at a later date and place. It could be decided on the road where it happened. It could be decided by a police report, by the Auto Insurance companies involved, in any arbitration, or it could reach all The way to a jury in a court.
It can happen to anybody; in 2020, there were 5.25 million crashes reported by the police video, and 2.28 million people were injured, with nearly 39000 fatalities, according to the National Highway traffic safety administration(NHTSA). Over 3.6 million vehicle crashes had only property damage.
3.6 million cases of property damage mean all legal and complicated processes of feuding drivers, insurance companies fighting for every dollar, lawyers sending notices, subpoenas, and using terms that none of us understand. Eventually, it all boils down to the state you live in as far as compensation is concerned.
Here are 2 tips, tricks, and methods on how to navigate and who is to blame for the car accident:
1. Mutual decision why the drivers involved
At the scene of the accident, the drivers can come to a conclusion as to who is to blame. Although, decisions made in the heat of the moment or just pointing fingers usually end up in arbitration or Court. Usually, people are shaken up or not in the right frame of mind to decide who is at fault. Hence, it's a good idea just exchange information and wait for decisions based on evidence and logic.
What you should do right after an accident is Take photographs from a cell phone before the cars are moved.
Note down the names, phone numbers, and insurance companies of the people involved and also the witnesses.
Get the license information and all insurance information from the drivers
Get the make and model of the car or cars involved
Save the location of the accident on Google Maps, document the time, date, and weather conditions
Wait for the police to arrive, if necessary
Police Report decides
If the case warrants, the police would be at the scene quickly.
Usually, the first order of business is to assess injuries and see if anyone needs medical attention. Second, they will assess the scene, make diagrams, and note damages to the vehicle involved. Sometimes it can be very clear who is at fault, like a red light violation, rear-ending, or running through a stop sign.
Special circumstances like DUI, phone usage, or speeding would require that the police speak to witnesses, including those in the cars. Questions asked at the scene will be repeated in the Court, so make sure not to utter spontaneous confessions sexy and have your facts right.
A police report can be challenged, but since it's in the public domain, it will be read by all involved and the insurance companies. You should also read it cover to cover. If there was no police officer present, it's a good idea to go to the nearest station and file an information report or photo; you can do it online.
Filing an official report to the police will really help if the other parties involved decide to sue you for medical expenses Or if there is more damage to your car than visible originally. Also, If you decide to file a claim, you would need the report.
We will discuss Insurance companies, arbitration, and court/jury decision in the next blog.
For any clarification, help, or guidance, contact compareAquote.com. We'll be happy to assist you.