When examining a crash scene, investigators look at a lot of evidence, especially if the cause of the accident is not immediately clear. Vehicle damage is one of the factors that can provide insight into what happened, including the type of crash and who may have caused it.

At Anderson & Cummings we take a closer look at how vehicle damage can help to clarify fault for a crash, including the key areas of a vehicle to examine and what story the damage may tell.

If you or a loved one suffered harm in a crash because of another driver’s negligence, we encourage you to seek legal help. Our experienced auto accident lawyers in Fort Worth manage injury claims for crash victims every day. We know what evidence is needed, the deadlines that apply and how to get results.

Find out if you may have a valid case to recover compensation. Your initial consultation is free and there are no upfront costs to hire our services.

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How Can Vehicle Damage Be Used To Determine Who Caused a Crash?

Vehicle damage plays a crucial role in establishing liability for a car crash. The location and extent of damage on the vehicles involved provide evidence of how the collision occurred. For instance, damage to the rear of one car and the front of another could indicate a rear-end collision, typically placing the blame on the trailing driver who hit the car in front. Additionally, forensic experts can analyze damage patterns to reconstruct the accident, helping to determine factors such as speed, direction and impact angles. These factors are all vital in helping to piece together the sequence of events leading up to a crash.

Vehicle Damage Can Help To Determine Whether Fault is Shared

In Texas, where comparative negligence laws apply, the details of the vehicle damage can be instrumental in determining the degree of fault shared by the parties involved. This analysis can significantly affect the compensation each party may be eligible to receive. By examining vehicle damage, along with other evidence, we can build a robust case to accurately establish liability.

What Areas of a Vehicle Should Be Examined for Damage?

After the crash, investigators will examine all the vehicles involved, including the full exterior: front, back and sides of a vehicle. However, the wheelbase, braking system, tires and even under the hood should also be examined. This is especially true in cases where fault is not clear, such as a “he said, she said” situation. Video, photos and diagrams of vehicle damage may provide insight into the cause of the crash.

Crash damage to the rear-end of a vehicle and the front of another vehicle indicates a rear-end crash. The assumption is that the driver in back is always at fault, as drivers have a duty to maintain control of their vehicles. While that is often the case, there may be more to the story. Maybe the driver in front slammed on the brakes because the driver in back was following too closely.

What Can Vehicle Damage Tell You About a Crash?

The location of vehicle damage often indicates what type of crash occurred. Here are a couple of examples of how vehicle damage can tell you the type of crash that occurred.

Two Vehicles With Frontal Damage

If two vehicles involved in the crash have frontal damage, that damage indicates a head-on collision. However, the damage alone is often not enough to clarify who caused the crash. Crash scene investigators would need to know more, such as whether one of the drivers was headed the wrong way and why. One example of how this could happen is if one vehicle slid on a puddle of water or patch of ice and lost control, spinning around in the other direction.

One Vehicle With Rear-End Damage and One Vehicle With Frontal Damage

When there is rear-end damage on one vehicle and frontal damage on the trailing vehicle, you can assume a rear-end collision. However, you cannot assume fault. Many people believe that fault is straightforward in that situation, but even then you may not necessarily know who caused the crash. There are other factors that need to be determined. The way the crash occurred raises some additional questions about events leading up to the accident:

• Did the person in front slam on the brakes without reason?
• Did the rear-end crash happen because the trailing driver got distracted and failed to stop to avoid hitting the vehicle in front?
• If the person in back did apply the brakes and they failed, is it because the vehicle owner failed to maintain them?
• Were the brakes properly serviced but, after examination, were found to be defective in some way?

As you can see, vehicle damage provides a certain amount of insight, but it still only tells part of the story.

What the Extent of Vehicle Damage May Say About a Crash

The location of vehicle damage tells part of the story, but the extent of that damage gives us even more information. The greater the amount of damage, the faster one or both vehicles were traveling. An example of this is the amount of damage caused by a fender bender during a traffic jam where no one is going above five to 10 miles per hour. There is likely to be very little, if any, damage. If, however, one vehicle is stopped at a traffic light and a distracted driver hits that stopped vehicle at 35 miles per hour or greater, the damage will be significant. The vehicle occupants could suffer serious injuries in a higher speed rear-end crash.

Is the Vehicle With the Most Damage Often At Fault?

The vehicle with the most damage is not necessarily the at fault party. Take, for example, a T-Bone crash. The vehicle that has the most damage in this situation may be the victim hit by another driver who failed to yield the right of way in an intersection.

Additional Crash Scene Evidence That May Help To Prove Your Claim

Vehicle damage is only one type of evidence. It is vital, but often it has more meaning when combined with other crash scene evidence. In a rear-end crash, investigators might look to see if there are any fresh skid marks. These marks are an indication the driver in back tried to stop to avoid a crash. An absence of skid marks may show that the driver who rear-ended the other vehicle was not paying attention.

As a crash victim, you may be able to provide some additional evidence before you leave the site. However, your health is your priority, so do not put yourself or others in harm’s way. If you can do so safely, try to capture this additional evidence:

• Photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage and your injuries.
• Note whether there are any traffic cameras or video cameras from nearby businesses.
• Speak with any witnesses and get their contact details.
• Write down things the other party may have said or done right after the crash.
• Note any critical details you remember about the crash before you forget them.

In addition to documenting the damage, we also recommend seeking legal advice.

Call Anderson & Cummings for Legal Help After a Crash

You do not need to try to navigate the complexities of proving fault on your own. Having an attorney fight for your legal rights and best interests allows you to focus on your health and healing.

At Anderson & Cummings, we have spent decades helping injured victims in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. Our attorneys have extensive experience and are deeply committed to recovering the maximum possible compensation on your behalf.

Call to discuss your situation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. There are no upfront fees to pay to hire our services. We are here to help you.

Anderson & Cummings. Proven Results. Millions Recovered. (817) 920-9000