Can Fault Be Determined by Vehicle Damage?
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How Damage to Vehicles Could be Evidence in an Injury Claim

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm on July 17, 2019 in Auto Accident. Updated on February 24, 2022

two-guys-crash-gray-and-red-carsDamage to vehicles involved in a collision can provide information about how that accident occurred. After a car accident, your attorney may consult with an industry expert to inspect the damage to the vehicles involved in the collision. Getting this information can provide valuable insight into how the crash may have happened and who may have been at fault.

Below, the Sacramento car accident lawyers of Arnold Law Firm discuss how information about vehicle damage may be used in a personal injury claim. We invite you to contact our legal team today for a free consultation. We can review the specifics of your claim and evaluate whether you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Areas of the Vehicle to Examine

Several areas of a vehicle involved in a collision may reveal useful supporting evidence about the accident, including:

  • Body damage caused by the collision
  • Wheels and tire condition
  • Doors
  • Fenders
  • Engine
  • Hood
  • Trunk
  • Steering system
  • Braking system
  • Seatbelts and restraint systems

Photos may provide useful details about what may have happened in a car crash. If possible, capture images of the vehicles from various angles at the scene of the accident. Include pictures of the road conditions, damaged guardrails, intersection signals or other elements that may have contributed to the collision. Do not worry about taking too many photos. Your attorney will sort through the evidence to determine which images are most useful.

Your attorney may also have a licensed mechanic inspect the engine and other internal systems for more information about damage to your vehicle.

What Damage Could Reveal About the Crash

The location and measurements of physical damage each vehicle sustained may help to establish important details about the collisions, such as:

  • Whether an accident happened because of operator failure or if it was due to a mechanical issue with one of the vehicles.
  • Whether the other driver was distracted. An intersection accident example can be damage to the middle of your car, not your front fender, suggesting no attempt to avoid the crash.
  • If a car pulled out in front of you and you swerved to the right to avoid it, but still hit the car, your vehicle would have damage to the left front corner or left front side.
  • If the other car has damage to the right front corner, that may indicate the other driver pulled right in front of oncoming traffic. 

Depending on the extent and location of the recovered evidence, vehicle damage can also be useful in proving what did not happen. This type of information is especially helpful when there are contradictory accounts about the accident.

Get Help from a Trusted Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, it may be beneficial to have an experienced attorney on your side. If we represent you, our Sacramento car accident lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm are prepared to conduct an in-depth investigation to build a strong case.

Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with one of our experienced lawyers today and learn whether you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries. There are no upfront fees and we are only paid if we recover compensation for you.

Call (916) 777-7777 or complete our Free Case Review form.