I got in a car accident, and I don't know if i'm at fault?

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I got in a car accident, and I don't know if i'm at fault?

Yestarday I got in an accident. I was making a left turn at a light. I waited for the on coming traffic to clean as the light turn yellow and soon to be red i made my left while the light was turning red a car coming the oppsite direction passed and I hit this car. (while I was making my turn there was no cars coming) Now the thing is that his car is out of state. He does have insuance (cause the car isn't his) but he has no drivers licence. now I dont know if i'm at fault. can anyone help me out

2006-11-14 05:53:30 · 11 answers · asked by MALAZ 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration

2006-11-14 06:13:37 · update #1

NOTE : this car came out of no where and before i made the turn the on coming traffic was clear before i stared making the turn

2006-11-14 06:14:23 · update #2

11 answers

if you are making a left you are at fault,yes he may have been running the light but the traffic from his side may also have a delayed green,which means he may have still had a green.If he has no licence then the insurance company can say there was no insurance at the time as the car was being operated illegaly.You may need a lawyer as there is a clause called" absolute liability" that makes the insurance company pay but only after you win a law suit against them
good luck

2006-11-14 05:59:23 · answer #1 · answered by doug b 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋

I am a Police Officer and a Traffic Crash Reconstructionists. From what you are telling me in your question, you are at fault. Turning traffic must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. The fact that the other driver did not have a license does not automatically make him at fault. However, other circumstances, ie red light timing, left turn arrow, etc, may work in your favor. if you did not contact the police at the time of the collision I suggest you do so now. Contact your insurance company and ask about hiring a private crash reconstructionist. since reconstructionists are expensive (100 to 500 dollars an hour) this may depend on how much damage was done to BOTH vehicles involved and weather are not some one was injured. Good luck.

2006-11-14 09:13:14 · answer #2 · answered by crashguy351 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

It is clear that the other driver needed to have a valid license to drive. But this does not determine liability for the accident. If this goes to court, the insurance company would be interested in why this other driver was behind the wheel (was it suspended, revoked -- did he never have a license).

However, the other car (driving straight, and through the intersection) technically had the right of way. While you mentioned the timing of the signal lights, your crossing into his path could be re-interpreted as your creating the accident. It could be said that you should have waited for the light to turn red before completing your left turn.

Was an accident report taken by a police officer? How they document the incident will go a long way in determining fault (eg. unlicensed driver, traveling at excessive speed, ran red light and caused crash.)

2006-11-14 06:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by seaportma 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋

From the way you described it,you were turning left and a car coming the opposite direction was going straight and you struck him...if so a turning vehicle must always yield to oncoming traffic and he had the right of way ...whether he had a license is of no concern of yours , it does not mitigate fault. That said , it is the insurers which determine fault and most states are no-fault anyway so blame both parties .

2006-11-14 06:04:27 · answer #4 · answered by baalberith11704 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋

You are never at fault. Never take blame. Let the people who assign blame do that. You needed to call the police and let them sort it out.
He shouldn't be driving w/o a drivers license.
Don't take blame. Call your insurance company. Don't say anything about a red light for you either.

I hope you got his name and car license number. If you didn't call the police you probably still should. Unless you didn't get anything, then you are probably screwed.

2006-11-14 05:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by cruddypantz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Yes you are at fault for failure to yield the right of way. In the interest of brevity and not to be short with you, the other things you mentioned don't matter at all. Also, insurance follows vehicles. Only if the vehicle he was driving was uninsured would his personal insurance kick in. "He came out of nowhere" is the oldest line in the insurance world, but just because you didn't see him, doesn't mean (obviously) that he wasn't there.

2006-11-14 10:17:58 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋

You are at fault for turning on the yellow light regardless if the other driver is from out of state or even has a license. Did the police issue you a citation? If yes, then you are at fault.

2006-11-14 05:58:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋

He came out of 'nowhere...', what the crap does this mean? OK, I'll explain it to you: you turned in front of oncoming traffic. You are at fault, stop whining, call your insurance company.
Damn.

2006-11-14 12:37:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋

Hang on....did the guy you hit break the law? If so, you aren't at fault. Well, if he was driving without a license then I guess he did. I would contact the police. It doesn't sound like you were at fault.

2006-11-14 05:56:53 · answer #9 · answered by leaptad 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋

Just threated the guy that your goin to the police and then get money to fix your car from him in cash because even if its your fault hes not supposed to be driving without a license so use that to you advantage always remeber to carry a disposable camera in you glove box for such and occasion

2006-11-14 06:15:04 · answer #10 · answered by Hozb718 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋