Liability for Rear-End and Left Turn Auto Accidents Both rear-end and left turn auto accidents are the type of accident where it is almost always clear who is at fault. In almost every case, the person who rear-ends you is at fault and the person making the left turn is almost always at fault. There are a few exceptions to both of these situations, but these exceptions are very rare. Rear-End Auto Accidents If you are rear-ended, it is almost always the fault of the person who hit you from behind. This is because one of the first rules of driving is that you must make sure there is enough space between you and the car in front of you for you to stop safely. The damage that results from a rear-end accident will also tell who is at fault. If both cars have sustained damage, the car that rear-ended you is at fault. While the driver of the car that rear-ended you may have a claim against someone who caused you to stop or a third car that pushed his/her car into yours. But, the driver that hit you is still responsible for your injuries and the damage to your car. Exceptions to Rear-End Auto Accidents There may be times when the driver who rear-ended you is not at fault or at least is not completely at fault. It is possible that you were partly a fault for the accident. Examples of where you could be partially at fault include the following: - Your brake or tail lights donżt work, especially if it is dark out
- Your car has mechanical problems but you fail to move it off the road
Left Turn Auto Accidents The driver who is making a left turn across oncoming traffic is almost always at fault. This is because the driver making the left turn is supposed to give the right of way to oncoming traffic and make sure there is enough room to complete the turn before making it. Just as with rear-end collisions, the damage from the accident may tell who was at fault. Exceptions to Left Turn Auto Accidents There are very few exceptions to the driver making the left turn being at fault. The few exceptions there are can be very difficult to prove. The exceptions are the following: - The driver who was going straight was going well over the speed limit
- The driver who was going straight ran through a red light
- The driver making the left turn began the turn when it was safe but was unexpectedly forced to stop or slow down ż this can be very difficult to prove because a driver is not supposed to make a left turn unless it is safe to do so
Iżve Been Involved in a Rear-End or Left Turn Accident, Do I Need a Lawyer? If youżve been involved in an auto accident it may be necessary to prove you were not at fault to your insurance company or in court. This can be a very complicated process and an experienced auto accident lawyer can help you get the results you are looking for. |