When car accidents happen, it is common to immediately see who is at fault. By merely looking at the positions of the vehicles involved, it can easily be decided who is responsible. Unfortunately, there are crashes where it is difficult to judge which driver is at fault.
It would not be something you would want to be involved in since it can result to failed insurance claims.
Being in a head-on collision can mean serious injuries or even death. It could also result to major damages to property. If this happens to you and the other driver refuses to admit fault, the following tips for proving you’re not at fault in a head-on collision may help.
Tip#1: Never Admit Fault
The best way to prove you are not the one who caused the accident is by proving that the other driver is responsible for the head-on collision. This means that you should never admit fault.
However, to prove the other driver’s liability is easier said than done. It is best to leave the burden of proof on the insurers.
However, you should protect yourself by making sure that you have all the supporting documents and proofs that will prove your innocence before the concerned insurance companies.
You can also leave it to the police officers on the scene to initiate their investigation and provide you a copy of their incident report, especially when you are confident about not causing the accident.
Tip#2: Photograph the Vehicles’ Damages
The photos of the vehicles showing the positions, damages and surroundings, taken from all angles, are vital in the determination of liability. For head-on collisions, the car which is not in its proper lane is likely to be the one at fault. However, if both vehicles are not in their proper lanes, it is harder to decide.
The photos can help if there are doubts or confusions.
Tip#3: Document All Important Details in the Scene of the Accident
If the damages and positions of the vehicles are not able to show who is at fault, there are several other means to prove you are not at fault. A close scrutiny of the scene of the accident can help you identify what can be of help to you. You may check for the following to help prove you are not at fault:
- Witnesses who saw the entire incident;
- Cameras installed in the area focused on the location of the accident;
- Dashboard camera of the other car, if any;
- Violations that may have been committed by the other driver, e.g., drunkenness, expired license, drug use, etc.;
- History of past violations of the other driver
If upon your checking, you find the foregoing available, you should collect as much proof as possible to support your claim.
Tip#4: Hire an Attorney
In cases where nobody admits fault and circumstances makes it hard to determine who is responsible, it is recommended that you hire a personal injury attorney to help you. Your attorney is highly experienced in situations like this and would know exactly what to look for and what documents to prepare to support your claim.
He is more than able to represent you in a legal proceeding and increase the chances of winning your case. He would also know what your claim is worth based on the damages you incurred and have that in mind during negotiations. He is the best person to get you the best settlement value that you needed most after experiencing an accident.
