How Can You Prove Fault After an Auto Accident?

After a car accident occurs, it may not be 100 percent clear who or what was at fault. In these situations, you may need to work with an attorney to build a case demonstrating that another party was responsible for your accident.

One of the best tools at your disposal is a police report, which is why it’s so important to call the police immediately after a crash. If an officer showed up at the scene and created a report, contact your local law enforcement agency to obtain a copy of it. This document, while not legally binding, gives the police officer’s official opinion of what occurred in the accident, which could bolster your claims.

It would also be helpful if an officer issued a citation to another driver for violating a certain rule of the road. A traffic ticket for speeding or running a red light, for example, would provide a pretty clear indication that the driver in question was responsible for the crash. Your attorney can help you determine if any citations were issued immediately after the accident.

Near-automatic liability

Additionally, some types of car accidents are associated with one motorist being responsible in almost all situations. In a rear-end crash, for example, police officers and courts are more likely than not to fault the driver who hit the other from behind. The same goes for left-hand turn collisions — the driver who was turning left is almost always considered at fault.

After a collision, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your best interests. Learn more about your legal options by consulting a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney with McMenamy Law LLC.