According to the NHTSA, there are around 840,000 blind spot car accidents each year in the US.
If you’ve been hit by a car in a blind spot car accident, you may be wondering who will be found responsible for the accident. This will vary depending on your situation, and each case is different. However, let’s take a look at the basics of how fault is determined in these accidents.
The Driver With the Blind Spot Is Often Found To Be Responsible for the Crash
While there are exceptions, the driver who had the blind spot will usually be found liable for the crash. This may seem strange since a “blind spot” may seem like a good defense for the driver. After all, you may think you can’t avoid an accident if you can’t see the other driver.
This is generally not the case. It’s usually possible for a driver to check their blind spot by turning their head or double-checking their mirrors, and it would be argued that a prudent and responsible driver may have done so.
Therefore, if a driver doesn’t check their mirrors or turn their head and causes an accident, it will likely be argued that they are responsible because they took the action that led to the accident.
Liability for Blind Spot Car Accidents Can Be Shared (in Some Cases)
You may be wondering what happens in an accident where two drivers merged at the same time and collided due to blind spots. For example, if you are in the far-right lane of a three-lane highway, another driver is in the far-left lane, and you both try to merge into the middle lane at the same time and hit each other, who is responsible?
If this is the case, the liability may not be clear-cut, and an investigation will need to be done by the insurance companies to determine who is at fault. The at-fault driver will be the person who did not have the right-of-way. And, if both drivers contributed to the accident, they both may be found partially liable.
In Missouri and St. Louis car accidents, a shared liability rule applies, which allows a percentage of responsibility to be assigned to both parties. This can affect the insurance payout and how much money each party could try to recover from the other in a St. Louis blind spot car accident.
Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney if You’ve Been Injured in a Blind Spot Accident
With the help of an experienced car accident lawyer in St. Louis, you will be able to build your case and get the compensation you deserve after a blind spot car accident causes damage to your car or injuries. Especially in shared-liability cases, it’s important to get legal help to ensure you do not settle for less than you are entitled to. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 for a free case review.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!