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How do car insurance companies decide who is at fault for an accident?

"Who is at fault if we two cars back into each other? Recently, I collided with another vehicle in a shopping center parking lot while we were both backing up. When I submit a claim to my insurance company, I'm curious how they will determine which of us is at fault."

avatar
Sophie Newman · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“The
car insurance companies
that insure each respective driver will work together to decide who is at fault for the accident.
Typically, they will assign faults as a percentage.
For example, you could be 60% at fault and the other driver 40%. In some
claims cases
, these percentages correspond with how much each insurance company pays for the damages; in other cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for everything.
Insurers will analyze a variety of data to determine fault, such as:
  • police reports from the accident
  • driving laws
  • information provided by the drivers”
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