How to determine fault in a fender-bender?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How to determine fault in a fender-bender?
I was pulling out of a school, and as I came around the corner another car collided with mine. The other driver says that they were in the left hand lane the whole time. I am 99% sure that they were in the righthand lane and wanted to change lanes, then collided with me. We didn’t call the police; the other driver had to go to work. They left the scene first. I offered my insurance info but they said no it should be fine. Later I went to my insurance agency and told them the details. They have the case on hold. My questions are: (1) who is at fault? (it is my word against the other driver’s; and (2) what will happen?
Asked on November 2, 2010 under Accident Law, Virginia
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
There is no way that someone in this type of forum can tell you who they think was at fault for this accident. Someone would need to look at the scene , look at the damage to the cars, etc., and even then it may not be clear. What I am concerned about here is that generally speaking you have an obligation to report an accident. It does not matter that you are late for work. If you intend on doing anything about your car and to make a claim then you need to file a police report, even after the fact. Then seek legal help in your area to determine liability. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.