After a car wreck, one of the first questions that comes up is who is responsible for the damages. Liability is at the heart of most accident claims, as it determines who pays for injuries, property damage, and other losses. Your Germantown, MD car accident lawyer can help you prove liability, but you’ll need a team you can trust. Fortunately, at Antezana & Antezana LLC, we have over 20 years of experience. Read on to see why liability matters, and contact us today to get started.
Why Liability Matters
Liability determines which party’s insurance company will cover the costs related to the accident. In some cases, one driver is fully at fault, while in others, fault may be shared between multiple parties. If liability is not clear, it can lead to disputes between insurance companies and delays in the claims process.
For victims, establishing liability is the foundation of a strong case. When responsibility is clearly proven, it becomes easier to negotiate a fair settlement or present the case in court if needed.
How Fault Is Determined
Fault is typically determined by looking at the actions of everyone involved before and during a car or truck crash. Evidence plays a big part in this process. Police reports often include important details such as traffic violations, witness statements, and diagrams of the accident scene.
Photographs and video footage can also provide strong support for a claim by showing vehicle positions, skid marks, or road conditions. In some cases, witnesses may give statements about what they saw, helping to fill in gaps or confirm details.
Traffic laws are another key factor. If a driver ran a red light, was speeding, or failed to yield, these violations can help your vehicle collision lawyer determine responsibility for the wreck.
Situations Where Fault May Be Shared
Not every car wreck has a single at-fault driver. Sometimes both parties contribute to the accident. Many states have comparative negligence laws, which allow fault to be divided between the drivers involved.
For example, if one driver was speeding and the other failed to signal a turn, each may be assigned a percentage of the blame. This percentage affects how much compensation the injured party can receive. The higher their level of fault, the less they may be able to recover.
Understanding how shared fault works is important because insurance companies may try to place more blame on the injured party to reduce their payout.
The Role Of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies investigate accidents to determine how much they are willing to pay. Their adjusters may review evidence, speak with witnesses, and analyze police reports. However, their main goal is to protect their company’s financial interests.
This can lead to low settlement offers or attempts to dispute liability. When this happens, having a strong case backed by solid evidence becomes even more important. A traffic accident lawyer can help gather and present this information effectively, making it harder for insurance companies to avoid paying fair compensation.
Moving Forward After A Car Wreck
At Antezana & Antezana LLC, we’ve spent over 20 years helping our clients with car crash claims, motorcycle accidents, and more. We’re ready to use our experience to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today, and see what an auto accident lawyer from our team can do for you.
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