When you get into a car accident, you are not able to think straight. You may be nervous, scared, overwhelmed, and have a train of thoughts running through your mind. One word you often hear in a car accident is “fault.” Determining fault in an accident is extremely important to recover your damages. Usually, the at-fault party pays for the damages of the innocent party.
If you were injured in a car accident and believed your error caused it, you may be confused about your next step. However, do not make the mistake of admitting your fault unless proved by the other party. People often believe the accident was their fault, but the reality is different. The best way to establish liability is by hiring an attorney. To know more, contact a personal injury lawyer Salem, OR today.
Why is fault important in a car accident?
When you get into a car accident, one of the words you will hear being used frequently is “fault.” This is because determining fault and its goal is the most important task in a car accident investigation. Without establishing which party was liable for the accident, one cannot award damages to the victim.
In some cases, more than one driver may be at fault. In accidents where more than one party is to blame, the state may use “comparative negligence” to assign a percentage of blame to each party. Each party then collects damages as per their percentages of fault.
What should you do if you cause a car accident?
If you have been in a car accident, you should not think about “What if I’m at fault for the accident?”. Instead, worry about protecting your rights. Whether you or the other party was at fault will be determined later through proper investigation. Wondering about things you cannot confirm immediately at the accident site will only cause you to lose money.
You should first call the ambulance and law enforcement to protect your rights. Getting immediate medical help should be your priority. Calling the police enables you to create an official report and document details about the accident scene. This report will later be useful during your claims process.
Many insurance companies require you to report your car accident as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could miss out on coverage.
It might be tempting to avoid calling the police and start a claims process. After all, nobody likes to get involved in the legalities. However, if the other party was at fault, you should not let them go without recovering your damages. Call an attorney today.
