5 Tips to Prove You Are Not At Fault in a Car Accident
If you are at fault for a car accident in Arizona, you will be responsible for paying damages. This is how Arizona’s fault-based insurance law works. If you do not believe you were at fault for a collision, it is important to state your case and prove it with evidence.
Otherwise, you or your insurance company will have to pay for a crash you did not cause. This could make your car insurance premiums increase. Use these tips to prove you were not responsible for a recent wreck in Phoenix.
Do Not Admit Fault
First, never admit any fault or blame for the car accident, even in part. This may seem obvious, but it is a common mistake made by car accident victims in the confusion of the moment. It is common for crash victims to step out of the vehicle and automatically apologize for the collision.
An apology, however, could be a sign of accepting responsibility for the crash.
Do not admit fault during conversations with police officers or insurance claims adjusters. If you admit fault, you may not be able to recover damages later. Even if an investigation would have found the other driver liable instead, the fact that you admitted fault could end the claim process.
The insurance company may not bother with a further investigation if you are willing to accept responsibility for the collision from the start.
Call the Police
Call the police after a car accident in Phoenix, especially if you notice any personal injuries or expensive property damage. If the other driver is to blame for the crash, the police can help you prove fault by documenting the accident and possibly citing the other driver.
The police can talk to eyewitnesses and collect key information about how the accident might have happened. The police can also issue a ticket to the other driver, if applicable. If the other driver was speeding or texting while driving and receives a moving violation, this will help you prove that driver’s fault.
Document the Crash Yourself
Do not trust the other driver or even the police to accurately document the car accident. Document the car accident yourself to be certain your voice is heard. Start by taking photographs and videos while still at the scene of the car accident, if possible. Write down the names and contact phone numbers of all eyewitnesses, as well as the other driver.
Speak to nearby business owners to find out if any video surveillance footage of the crash is available. Keep copies of your medical records after seeing a doctor for your injuries. Request a copy of your police report, as well.
Tell your side of the story in an injury journal in as much detail as you can remember. Gathering evidence of the car accident on your own could help you prove you were not at fault.
Speak to Eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses can be key to proving you are not to blame. Eyewitnesses have information no one else does about how the crash occurred. Accident reconstructionists can use this information to piece together who caused the accident.
Talk to eyewitnesses on your own after a car accident. Record their statements using a cellphone or have them sign a statement in writing. You can also collect this information later if your injuries are too severe to do so at the scene.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney
If the insurance company of the other driver is refuting liability for your car accident in Arizona, you may need to hire an attorney to help you prove you were not at fault. An attorney can help you gather evidence of the other driver’s fault.
Your lawyer can also go up against an insurance claims adjuster to argue against your alleged fault for the crash. Speak to a Phoenix car accident attorney for more information.