Fault is determined by investigating which driver failed to exercise reasonable care, violating traffic laws or acting negligently. Police reports, witness statements, photos, and traffic camera footage are key evidence. Insurance adjusters analyze this evidence against local rules, which may follow “comparative negligence” (shared fault) or “contributory negligence” (barring recovery if even slightly at fault). The goal is to establish who caused the accident by not driving safely. Your own detailed notes and evidence collected at the scene are crucial for supporting your version of events.

This situation is called being “upside-down” or having negative equity. The insurance settlement pays the vehicle’s actual cash value. If your loan balance is higher, you remain responsible for the difference to your lender. Your own gap insurance (if purchased) would cover this shortfall. Without gap coverage, you must pay the remaining debt out-of-pocket, even though you no longer have the car. This is a critical financial risk in total loss scenarios.

No. Never tell someone they do not need medical care. Your role is to ensure their well-being is addressed, not to make medical judgments. Instead, encourage them to be evaluated by a professional, especially if they report any pain or discomfort. You can say, “I’m not a doctor, so it’s always best to get checked out to be safe.“ This shows reasonable care and prevents accusations that you downplayed their injuries, which could be seen as an admission of guilt.