If you have been involved in a car accident near Toledo, Ohio, you know that immediately following an accident, emotions can run high. Drivers will want to place blame and point fingers at each other, making accusations about fault in the Toledo car accident. However, these statements, however accurate they may be, made in the heat of emotion after the car accident doesn’t prove fault, nor does it imply liability in the Toledo, OH car accident. For the purposes of being able to legally determine car accident fault, even though you may be sure that it was not you, you and your car accident attorney need to prove negligence.
The car accident attorneys here at the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers serving Toledo, Ohio have experience investigating Toledo, OH car accidents just like yours, gathering all the necessary evidence to show that the other driver was negligent in some way. We can help you prove that the car accident fault and liability for your damages lies in their hands. Your car accident lawyer will fight every day to defend you by using their experience in Toledo car wrecks to show car accident liability on the part of the other driver.
Using Police Reports to Show Car Accident Fault in Toledo, Ohio
In most cases, the first place to look for fault and liability in a car accident is in the official police report of the accident. The police are typically the first and most reliable impartial witnesses at the scene of a Toledo car accident, so their accounting of how the accident most likely occurred is very valuable. In the police report, there is often a statement which indicates car accident fault on the part of the other driver, especially if you are convinced that you are not to blame.
Using the Ohio Motor Vehicle Code to Establish Car Accident Liability
The state of Ohio determines the rules for drivers in the Ohio Revised Code. This code, in addition to setting out the rules and regulations regarding motor vehicle operation, including determination of fault in a Toledo, Ohio car accident, includes prior judicial decisions in which the Code is interpreted for car accident cases. For instance, when a police officer issues a ticket for a traffic violation at the scene of the accident, this may be used to argue that the car accident liability also lies with that person.
Using Damage to the Vehicles to Determine Car Accident Fault in Toledo, OH
It is sometimes possible to construct a strong argument for car accident liability in Toledo, OH by considering the damage to the vehicles involved. This damage, and the circumstances of the scene itself, including skid marks and extraneous property damage, can often serve as proof of the circumstances of the car accident in Toledo, and can easily highlight the conduct of the other driver at the time of the car accident, making fault more clear.
Fault and Rear End Collisions in Toledo, Ohio
In most cases, a driver who ‘rear-ends’ another vehicle is at fault for the car accident in Toledo, Ohio. One of the fundamental rules of operating a vehicle in Ohio is that drivers are obligated to leave adequate space between their own vehicle and the one in front of them. By failing to allow enough room to stop safely, taking into account the weather conditions and traffic patterns, this can be argued as careless and negligent driving, establishing car accident liability in Toledo, Ohio.
Fault and Left Turn Collisions in Toledo, Ohio
A driver making a left turn across oncoming traffic is found to be at fault for a car accident most of the time. The oncoming cars from the other direction have right-of-way, and the vehicle making a left turn to cross that lane of traffic must yield until it is safe to turn. If the turn cannot be attempted safely, the driver needs to wait because failure to do so can cause a car accident.
In both the rear-end and left turn collision cases, vehicle damage is important evidence to establishing car accident fault and liability. The damage done to either vehicle could be investigated to get an idea of who caused the accident and the speeds each vehicle was traveling at.
Reach Out to a Toledo Attorney to Discuss Car Accident Fault
If you have been involved in a car accident in Toledo, Ohio and you believe you are not at fault, do not hesitate to contact a car accident attorney at the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers right away. Let us begin assembling evidence and examining the case so that we can mount the strongest possible defense in your favor.