A crash in Green Bay can leave car accident victims dealing with injuries, stress, and confusion about their next steps. One of the first questions that comes up is simple but critical: Who is liable?
Determining liability for a motor vehicle accident shapes every part of your personal injury claim. It influences how you move forward, whose insurance coverage pays, and how an experienced personal injury attorney will guide you through the process.
What ‘Liability’ Means in a Car Crash
Liability refers to the civil legal responsibility for causing a collision. When someone is found liable for a car accident, it means their negligent actions or inaction directly led to the crash. In many cases, negligence involves speeding, distracted driving, running a red light, or failing to yield, for example.
Liability also determines who should cover the losses that other people sustained in the crash. That underscores the importance of determining liability for a car accident. Without establishing fault, it becomes harder to recover for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses arising from the crash.
Liability insurance also plays a significant role. What does liability insurance cover in a car accident? It typically covers the injured person’s medical treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, vehicle repairs, and other related losses when the insured driver caused the accident.
How Fault Is Determined in a Car Accident
Determining liability in a car accident often starts at the crash scene. Police officers create an official report that includes statements, diagrams, and observations. While law enforcement officers may issue traffic tickets and record their opinions about who was to blame, the courts have final say on liability determinations.
In addition to the police report, insurance adjusters and attorneys may review photos, videos, and the physical damage to each vehicle. They can investigate road conditions, weather, and traffic laws. Each detail helps build a clearer understanding of what happened.
In Green Bay car crashes, fault should be assigned based on evidence, not assumptions. Accepting liability in a car accident occurs only when the facts support it.
Evidence You Must Gather to Prove Liability
Strong evidence can shape the outcome of a liability claim. Some examples of potentially helpful items include:
- Photos of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and traffic signs
- Physical evidence from the car accident scene
- Medical records that document injuries and treatments
- Statements from witnesses who saw the crash
- Dashcam or surveillance videos
- Accident reconstruction reports from experts
- Cell phone records that indicate if distracted driving is involved
- Information from the police report
- Results of tests for alcohol or drug impairment
These types of documentation can support your position and show the insurance companies how the crash happened. They also create a timeline that links your injuries and losses to the accident.
What Liability Means for Your Claim and Compensation
Once liability is determined, the car accident claim process typically becomes more straightforward. Proving fault strengthens your ability to pursue compensation for your losses. That may include medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning ability, property repairs, and pain and suffering. A strong liability case gives you a solid foundation when negotiating with insurers, who often try to downplay or shift responsibility.
Protect Your Rights: Speak to a Green Bay Car Accident Lawyer
A Green Bay car accident lawyer from Schwaba Law Firm is ready to investigate the cause of the collision that injured you, gather supporting evidence, and determine who is responsible. We can consult with experts, review records, and protect your rights during the insurance process. With legal support, you can move forward with better clarity and a stronger claim.
Contact our law firm today to discuss your case in a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys.
