How do insurance companies decide which driver is at fault?

Insurance companies will use adjusters to gather as much information as possible about the accident, such as pictures of the damages, police reports, witness reports, and more. The insurance adjuster will then determine who is at fault based on the evidence provided.

Will the insurance company fix my car if I’m at fault?

Yes, as long as you carry more than liability insurance. Depending on the accident type, you would file an at-fault claim with your comprehensive or collision insurance. For example, if you run into a deer, you would file with comprehensive. If you rear-end another vehicle, you will file with collision. However, if you only carry liability insurance and are at fault in the accident, you will have to pay out of pocket to fix your car.

Does it matter which driver caused the accident?

Yes, it matters who caused the accident. The responsible party’s insurance will have to pay for repairs and injuries, so insurance companies have a vested interest in who is at fault in an accident.

Does fault matter in no-fault states?

Who caused the accident doesn’t matter when it comes to injury claims resulting in medical bills. Injured parties must file claims for medical bills under PIP or MedPay coverage in no-fault states. However, fault does matter when it comes to property damages. The responsible driver’s insurance will have to pay for the other driver’s vehicle repairs.

What will happen if both drivers are at fault?

In cases where both drivers are at fault for an accident, the blame will be shared between the drivers. The state’s negligence laws will determine how much of the damage costs for which each driver is responsible. If one driver were more at fault than the other, that driver would be responsible for a higher percentage of costs.

Understanding Car Insurance

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Types of Car Insurance

Car Insurance Terminology

Uninsured Motorists

Driving Tips

Car Insurance Coverage

Windshield Replacement Guide

ARTICLE

What Is an At-Fault Accident?

What is an at-fault accident? An at-fault accident is when a driver causes a collision by negligence or carelessness. The at-fault driver is responsible for paying off damages to other vehicles or injuries, which their auto insurance policy can cover. More than one driver can be at-fault in an accident. In this case, both drivers...

August 16, 2022

ARTICLE