How Do You Decide Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident?

July 17, 2012

In many car accident cases, it’s obvious who is liable for causing the accident. For example, if you stopped at a red light and were rear-ended by another driver, that driver is clearly at fault. The same goes for drunk driving cases. However, other situations can be murkier. Even a police report may be incomplete or inaccurate about who is at fault, since it is often completed before a thorough investigation has taken place. A police officer’s conclusion about liability is usually not considered admissible evidence, since so many factors and variables may still be unknown.

Performing an independent investigation is essential in order to determine exactly what caused the accident, and who is responsible. At Wapner Newman, our experienced Philadelphia auto accident attorneys work with investigators, expert witnesses, and engineering specialists to reconstruct your accident and gather the evidence you need to prove the other party’s negligence.

Sometimes, more than one party may be at fault for an accident. Besides the driver(s), negligence might be traced back to:

• Local government entities (for defective roadways or dangerous construction zones)
• The auto manufacturer (for defective vehicles)
• An auto mechanic (who performed faulty repairs)

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, please contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We represent injured car accident victims in Philadelphia, Allentown, and West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, or anywhere in the state of New Jersey.