When one is involved in a car accident, determining fault is done by figuring out who acted negligently. However, even before doing this, you want to be assured your health is not at risk. The next thing is to check whether your vehicle has been damaged and the extent of vehicle damage. In most cases, the fault is obvious; in other cases, parties must exchange harsh words by blaming one another since each side wants to be compensated. If this happens, different ways may be used to determine who was at fault. One of these is by using the location of the damage to each vehicle. If you can be able to prove that due to the location of your vehicle damage other driver was at fault, then you deserve the right compensation.
How To Use Damage Location To Prove Liability
When you’re involved in an accident, the other driver’s insurance company will most likely deny that their insured is at fault. Again, even if they agree, they will make sure to work day and night to offer you a low settlement amount. But having determined the extent of the damage and what it may cost, this may assist you in receiving a reasonable settlement. However, this doesn’t come easily; the insurance adjuster knows that if you don’t consult a car accident lawyer in Anchorage, they will have their best moments when settling your claim. One of the most common accidents in which the location of damage may help prove the fault is the T-bone car accident. This means that traffic is not supposed to cross an intersection simultaneously; one driver must have to enter the intersection first. In such a case, it’s not obvious to determine the driver at fault. For instance, if a driver is entering an intersection on a green light, then suddenly another driver comes over through a red light, the first driver’s car will be hit on the driver’s side. Another instance is when you may be driving on your suburban path, and someone suddenly pulls out of the driveway and broadsides you, the damage will probably be on your passenger’s side. In both instances, it clearly shows that the other driver was not careful enough to avoid the accident.
How To Preserve Evidence For Your Damaged Vehicle
The location of the damage will not only be used to determine fault of the car accident, but also to help you in getting compensated. To get the right compensation, you need to produce the proper evidence. It’s only the way to prove the other party was at fault. There are three most important options you can use to preserve evidence. They include:
- Document your damage: You can take as many pictures as possible from all sides. Using your phone or camera, ensure to take pictures of anything relevant such as debris, any skid marks, shattered glasses, etc. You can also take photos of other vehicles involved. Remember that when you’re thinking about taking pictures, you may not have the accurate details of what will be useful later. So, the more images you can take the better.
- Look for credible witnesses: Witnesses testimony will be of great help. Make sure to have their information. Witnesses prove to be a valuable component when it comes to the success of your claim. In some cases, both drivers are the only witnesses after a car accident. This may not help much when determining the at-fault party. Therefore, a third party’s presence would be beneficial to help have a competing version of the crash.
- Make sure to call the police: A police report will indicate the vehicle damage’s location and extent. It will have information from witnesses and an illustration of the accident. Also, the police report may have preliminary determinations of who was at fault since it will contain the opinions as to the reason for the accident. Though the information may be a fact or an opinion, it can significantly assist the insurance company in determining who is at fault
Getting Legal Help
If your vehicle has been damaged during an accident and you believe you’re not to blame, you should seek compensation. But you need to understand that the location of damage is not absolute for determining fault. Again, the police report may also not indicate who was at fault or may have an incorrect fault. You may also get witnesses who are not credible. The insurance adjuster will only use the witness information if they believe them to have credibility. Therefore, it would only take an experienced car accident lawyer to come out of the mess with the best compensation. If you get a good lawyer, he/she can build up your case and put you in a good position to win your case.
