Can Vehicle Damage Determine Fault in a North Carolina Car Accident?

In the aftermath of a car accident, it can sometimes be difficult to determine who is at fault. Many of our clients ask, “Can vehicle damage determine fault in a car accident?”

The answer, as is often the case in personal injury law, is it depends.

In many cases, vehicle damage can offer valuable clues that may help determine who is at fault in a car accident. In other cases, vehicle damage may be inconclusive, and it can be difficult to draw conclusions about liability.

In this article, we’ll discuss how vehicle damage can be used to determine fault in a North Carolina car accident, and what to look out for when you’re considering a car accident injury claim.

IMPORTANT: If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call our North Carolina injury attorneys for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We can investigate the accident, including any vehicle damage, and help determine fault. The consultation is free and there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s talk.

Physical Evidence in a Car Accident Case

Car accidents can leave a tremendous amount of physical evidence that needs to be sifted through in order to determine fault, otherwise known as liability.

Evidence that may be identified, preserved, and evaluated in a car accident may include photographs of property damage, debris, skid marks, road signage, and, of course, physical injuries. There may also be dash cam or security camera footage available for review. In truck accidents, a “black box” recorder may contain important information about the conditions and circumstances surrounding the accident.

An experienced car accident lawyer can sift through this evidence and help determine liability. In many cases, vehicle damage can be helpful in determining who is at fault.

How Can Vehicle Damage Help Determine Fault in a Car Accident?

The most obvious way in which vehicle damage can be used to determine fault in a car accident is by evaluating the location of the damage.

For instance, if a vehicle has been damaged on the passenger side, it is a strong indication that the other driver may be at fault, especially if his or her vehicle has front-end damage.

In other cases, a vehicle may be damaged in the rear, which is typically an indication that the car was rear-ended. Again, if the other vehicle has evidence of damage in the front-end, that would suggest fault on the part of that vehicle’s driver.

The location of vehicle damage can be used to assess the circumstances before the accident, such as which direction a vehicle was traveling in, or whether it was turning.

Limitations of Vehicle Damage in Determining Fault

In many cases, however, vehicle damage along is not enough to determine fault and a more thorough accident investigation is needed. For example, in a rollover accident, the extent of damage and condition of the vehicles can make it extremely difficult to piece together what happened without considering other important evidence, such as witness testimony.

At Riddle & Brantley, we consider all types of evidence to determine fault in a car accident, including but not limited to vehicle damage.

Potential evidence considered in determining fault may include:

• Vehicle damage
• Dash cam footage
• Security camera footage
• Debris
• Property damage
• Skid marks
• Road signage and pavement markings
• Eyewitness testimony
• Expert testimony
• Accident reconstruction
• Truck “black box” data recordings
• Driver logs
• Traffic data from GPS
• And more…

Have You Been Injured in a North Carolina Car Accident?

At Riddle & Brantley, our team of car accident lawyers is committed to seeking justice for those injured due to others’ negligence. Our attorneys have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and we would love to help you if we can.

For a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and convenient form below.

There is never any obligation and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation.

We have an on-staff team of seasoned investigators who can get to work immediately evaluating the crash scene and identifying and preserving important evidence. We leave no stone unturned and will consider all the evidence, including vehicle damage, to determine fault.

If you decide to hire us to take your case, our attorneys will fight tirelessly for your right to justice and compensation.

• “They handled my case very professionally, with respect from beginning to end.” –Joseph P.
• “I would not have won my case without the help from my team at Riddle & Brantley.” –John S.
• “They turned a heartbreaking situation completely around.” -Tonya Taylor

Please call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your claim.

You deserve justice and you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Call us today and let’s talk.