When you’re in a car accident, you might hear people talk about who is “at-fault.” But what does that really mean?
What is “At-Fault”?
Being “at-fault” means that someone is responsible for causing an accident. If you are at-fault, it means you did something, like running a red light or not paying attention, that led to the accident. In other words, you are the one who made the mistake that caused the crash.
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What is Negligence and How Does it Impact Car Accident Claims?
Negligence is a legal term that describes when someone fails to exercise reasonable care on the road. In car accidents, it’s not always clear-cut—sometimes more than one driver may share part of the blame. When this happens, insurance companies and the law look at how much each person’s actions contributed to the crash.
Let’s break it down:
If two drivers are involved in an accident, investigators might say Driver A was 70% responsible while Driver B was 30% responsible. This is called “comparative negligence,” and it means each person’s share of responsibility impacts how insurance claims are paid out.
How does this affect you?
- If you’re partly at fault, the amount you can recover for damages may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
- The exact way negligence impacts your claim depends on Colorado’s specific laws, which outline how fault is determined and how payments are split.
Understanding negligence helps clarify how responsibility is shared—and how it may affect your ability to recover losses after an accident.
Why is Being “At-Fault” Important?
Knowing who is at-fault is crucial because it helps determine who has to pay for the damages. If you cause a car accident, your insurance may pay for the other person’s car repairs. It may also cover their medical bills and other expenses.
In Colorado, where Jordan Law operates, the at-fault driver usually covers the damages. People refer to this as a “fault” or “tort” system.
How Do You Know Who is At-Fault?
Sometimes, it’s easy to tell who is at-fault. For example, if someone rear-ends another car, they are almost always at-fault. But other times, it can be more complicated. Police, insurance companies, and sometimes the court will look at the evidence, like witness statements and traffic laws, to decide who is at-fault.
What is a “No-Fault” Car Accident?
A “no-fault” car accident happens in states that use a no-fault insurance system. In these states, your own car insurance helps pay for your medical bills after an accident—no matter who actually caused the crash. This coverage, called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), means you can get help with things like doctor visits or hospital stays without having to prove the other driver was at-fault.
Keep in mind, though, that while your medical costs may be covered through your own policy, property damage is treated differently. If someone else crashes into your car and damages it, their insurance may still be responsible for repairing your vehicle, even in a no-fault state.
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What Happens if You’re At-Fault?
If an accident finds you at fault, your insurance rates might go up. You might also have to pay for the damages, either out of pocket or through your insurance.
At Jordan Law, we know that being in an accident can be stressful. This is especially true if you worry about being at fault. That’s why we’re here to help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.
Being at-fault in an accident means you are responsible for causing it. This is important because it determines who has to pay for the damages. If you are in an accident and worried about being at fault, Jordan Law can help you. They will guide you through the situation.
Call Jordan Law For a Free Consultation
Call Jordan Law today for a free consultation. We’re always free to speak to and if you don’t want to hire us for any reason, we’ll give you the names of other firms we respect to treat you with dignity and professionalism.
At Jordan Law, we are here to help you through this difficult time. We also serve clients in Denver, Fort Collins, and elsewhere across Colorado.
