A severe car accident can lead to adverse damages and losses to the victims. If you're involved in a crash and looking to get compensated from the liable individual, you want to determine the at-fault party. While this may seem obvious to you, the burden of proof in an auto crash lies with the complainant. Also, the other driver may not accept responsibility, further complicating the claim. It's even worse when the accident involves more than two drivers because no one may accept liability for the crash. How do you determine the responsible party? A car accident lawyer can evaluate different factors and identify the responsible individual. Here are the top factors to consider. 

Information From Police Reports

One of the most important things you want to do immediately after the accident is to call the police to the scene to investigate the incident. This is critical because the law enforcement officers will write a report about the accident, which you can use later to prove your case. The report cites the other party and contains the thoughts of the law enforcement officer, observations from witnesses and explanations from each party. If the other driver was responsible for the crash, the police report is a valuable document that you must consider. Your lawyer will evaluate it and talk to you about the possible available options. 

Blatant Violation of Traffic Laws

Sometimes, a violation of traffic laws is clear. For example, issues like running a stop sign, failure to yield and speeding are obvious traffic rules that no driver should break. However, these vary depending on your state, so you may need to research before concluding anything. You can access this information from different sources, including library books and online sources. You can also consult your lawyer to explain everything clearly. A car accident lawyer has the skills and knowledge required to interpret all the evidence, so you can be sure you're in safe hands. 

Negligence and Recklessness

When determining the at-fault party in an auto crash, negligence and recklessness are essential factors to consider. Neglect involves inadvertently making simple mistakes or traffic rules that can cause a collision. Recklessness happens when individuals know their action could cause an accident and proceeds anyway. For example, running a stop sign can cause a crash, and it's a sign of negligence. 

Getting involved in a car accident can be confusing and frightening. You may not know what you can do to overcome the situation. Fortunately, you can depend on a car accident lawyer to help you identify the at-fault party as you begin the process of seeking compensation.