How does the insurance company determine fault when me and the other driver have to different accounts of the accident.
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How does the insurance company determine fault when me and the other driver have to different accounts of the accident.
I was at a stop sign at a two way street a car to my left let me in so i could make a left turn I was clear on my right hand side so i made the turn after completing the turna car came from my right hand side because the three parking spots from the corner were clear i assumed that she was tryin to pass me on the right she hit the corner of my car nocking me into the next lane causing me to hit the car that let me in she claims I ran the stop sign and hit her when makin the turn the cop thought her story made more sense but wrote everything down I toldhim. Should i fix the car myself or wait.
Asked on June 7, 2009 under Accident Law, New Jersey
Answers:
J.M.A., Member in Good Standing of the Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I am a lawyer in CT and practice in this area. Insurance companies determine fault generally based on the police report and their client's rendition of the accident, including their own inspection of the cars involved. The problem is that the decision to find fault is largely based on what they believe they can prove at trial. In other words, if there is any question at all that they think that they can prove that their driver was not at fault or that the plaintiff contributed in any way, then the insurance company will deny liability and make you, the plaintiff, prove your case. The longer you litigate, the more money the insurance company saves. I suggest that you rely on the police report as the officer's testimony in court at the end of the day will be pursuasive to the jury.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.