Identifying who was at fault in a car accident generally boils down to determining who was careless or negligent behind the wheel. Sometimes it is easy to tell which person acted carelessly or negligently, and sometimes it is more difficult to establish liability.
At Bowles & Verna in Oakland, CA, we represent car accident victims in personal injury cases. We work to establish that the other driver was at fault and secure compensation for our clients. You may be wondering, what are some signs that the other driver was at fault in your car accident?
Signs that the Other Driver Was At Fault
On busy Oakland roads, it can be difficult to pinpoint who was at fault in a car accident. To complicate matters, multiple entities, such as law enforcement, insurance companies, and the courts, may make their own determination of who was at fault.
While each auto accident case is unique, chances are the other driver was at fault in the following scenarios:
- The Other Driver Hit You from Behind: It is a basic rule of driving that drivers should leave enough room between their car and the car in front of them to ensure they have sufficient room to stop. For that reason, if you were hit from behind, chances are the other driver was at fault. If the other driver did not have enough room to stop, he or she was not driving safely.
- The Car That Hit You Was Making a Left: A driver making a left-hand turn is often at fault in a car accident. Cars heading straight into an intersection have the right of way in most cases. If you were going straight into an intersection and a driver turned left into your path, the other driver may be found liable.
- The Other Driver Violated a Traffic Law: If the other driver was speeding, did not stop at a stop sign, ran a red light, turned right on red with a no-turn signal, or otherwise violated any traffic law, he or she may be at fault for your accident.
- The Other Driver Was Cited for a Traffic Violation: If the other driver was cited at the scene of the accident for a traffic violation, he or she may be at fault. Citations can generally be found in the police report.
- Witnesses to the Accident Placed Blame on the Other Driver: It is uncommon for a driver to admit blame after an accident, but sometimes witnesses will provide a neutral account of what happened. If witnesses describe that the other driver erred, the other driver may be considered at fault.
- The Other Driver Was Driving Drunk: If the other driver was driving while intoxicated, he or she is more likely to be found at fault.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
If you were in a car accident and are not sure who was at fault, contact Bowles & Verna. Our car accident attorneys will evaluate your case. You may be eligible to receive significant compensation for your injuries and property damage. Call us in the Oakland area at (925) 935-3300 or contact us online now.