What's a No-Contact Car Accident and Who's Liable?

Please be advised that the following topic is for informational purposes only and not a legal matter currently handled by our firm. If you need further assistance regarding this particular topic, you can contact your local Bar Association for a referral to an attorney who may be able to address your inquiry in more detail.

You’ve probably had some close calls on the road where you swerved out of the way quickly to avoid a collision. What happens if the crash is unavoidable?

When one car veers off and crashes due to another driver’s actions, this is known as a no-contact car accident. The cars don’t collide but a crash still happens. These accidents are surprisingly common here on California’s crowded streets and freeways.

When someone hurts you in a no-contact car accident in California, you can hold them liable for what they’ve done. Here’s why no-contact accidents commonly happen and how these compensation claims work in California.

Why Do No-Contact Car Accidents Happen?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 95% of all auto crashes are due to human error. Of those, about 41% are from drivers not noticing things in front of them, and another 33% are from drivers failing to respond appropriately.

One of the most frequent reasons why no-contact car accidents happen is that drivers aren’t paying attention. Driver inattention is a nationwide problem, with 9 people dying and 1,000 being injured every day due to distracted driving.

Sudden and illegal movements in traffic also contribute to no-contact car accidents. Picture what happens when someone darts in and out of various freeway lanes, attempting to zoom ahead in congested traffic. Another driver might end up having a no-contact accident due to this person’s dangerous driving.

Even worse, new autonomous/adaptive cars are adding to the problem rather than resolving it. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that self-driving vehicles don’t eliminate most crashes because they can’t always adjust to changing road conditions and rely on intervention from drivers who aren’t paying close attention. 

Common causes of no-contact car accidents include:

  • Drivers not yielding the proper right of way
  • Failures to stop at stop signs/lights
  • Swerving to avoid other drivers making illegal or dangerous moves
  • Being cut off by an aggressive or distracted driver
  • Trying to miss a crash happening in front of you
  • Avoiding someone who merges or changes lanes without looking

Who’s Liable for My No-Contact Car Crash?

After a no-contact crash, your mind spins with confusion about who’s at fault. Did you do the right thing? Will the other person be held responsible?

California uses what’s known as the comparative fault or comparative negligence rule to assign fault for auto accidents. This means the responsibility for an accident is weighed and compared, with each person receiving a percentage of the blame.

As long as you have less than 50% fault, you have a good chance of claiming accident compensation from the person with the most responsibility. These cases rarely go to court and are often resolved through out-of-court insurance settlements.

You’ll need a California car accident lawyer’s help to convince the insurance company that your accident wasn’t a single-car accident. This is especially true if the other driver sped off and wasn’t identified in the police report. Witness testimony and/or video footage, plus the expertise of your lawyer, could save your case.

What if there are numerous vehicles and drivers at the scene of the accident? Chain-reaction car accidents sometimes involve no-contact crashes where other drivers swerve to avoid getting tangled in the mess. In a chain-reaction collision, the driver who set off the initial crash can often be held responsible for all subsequent crashes.

The bottom line is that you’ll need a lawyer’s insight into the circumstances of your no-contact accident and your options for compensation. Choose an experienced California auto accident lawyer who has secured positive outcomes for people in no-contact car accidents.

No-Contact Crash? That’s No Problem for Us!

When someone hurts you in a no-contact car accident in California, turn to the attorney team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. We have extensive experience with no-contact car accidents and also other types of contactless claims like no-contact motorcycle accidents

We can help you hold the right person responsible for your crash. You could claim high-value compensation for your injuries, missed days of work, emotional suffering, and much more. Let us handle the legal details while you focus on your recovery. Call 877-380-8852 today for a free case evaluation.

Accident Client

Sally and her staff are incredible. I was hit by a car on my scooter a year ago and Sally helped with all the legal troubles, medical bills ect that go along with an accident. I was hesitant to contact a lawyer but I am so thankful that I did and choose Sally. She takes great care in her clients, always emailing back quickly, checking in and laying out all the options for ones case. I was so impressed by her original demand letter as it was so detailed that I knew she truly listens. If you need a personal injury lawyer then look no further!

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KNOW HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AFTER AN ACCIDENT

It is essential to know your rights after a traffic accident so you can protect yourself and the value of your claim.
This guide will help you:

  • 1Know what to do when dealing with insurance claims, police reports and lawyers.
  • 2Avoid making mistakes that undermine the value of your claim
  • 3Put yourself in a position to get the best settlement possible