Common Types of Car Accidents and How Fault Is Determined

When a car accident occurs, one of the first and most important questions is: who is at fault? Determining liability is the foundation of any personal injury claim, as it directly affects whether an injured party can recover compensation and how much they may receive.

In this blog, we will explore various aspects of car accidents, from the most common types on Californian roads to how liability is determined.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, please don’t hesitate to contact Adamson Ahdoot. Our experts are available 24/7 to hear your story and offer legal guidance and support. Call us at (866) 645-4992 for a free consultation.

Determining Fault in Traffic Accidents

In California, fault is established under the principle of pure comparative negligence. This means that even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you may still recover damages. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages are valued at $100,000, but you are found to be 30% responsible, you would be entitled to recover $70,000.

Fault is not always obvious. While rear-end collisions may seem like clear-cut cases against the driver in the back, exceptions exist. Likewise, left-turn accidents usually place responsibility on the turning driver, but circumstances such as speeding, running red lights, or distracted driving can shift liability to the other party.

Insurance companies and courts rely on multiple factors when making these determinations:

• Traffic laws outlined in the California Vehicle Code
• Police reports detailing the events of the accident
• Eyewitness testimony that confirms or challenges the drivers’ statements
• Accident reconstruction experts who analyze vehicle damage, skid marks, and roadway conditions
• Digital evidence, such as dashcam footage or surveillance video

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?

Car accidents are a frequent occurrence in California and can have serious consequences for both drivers and passengers. Understanding the most common types of car accidents can help to clarify who may be at fault, as well as provide valuable insight into how to take precautions to prevent them.

In the following sections, we will review the common types of accidents on California roads, explore their causes, and examine the factors that influence the determination of liability.

Accidents at Stop Signs

Stop sign intersections are among the most frequent sites of traffic collisions in California. While the rules of the road may seem straightforward—every driver must come to a complete stop and yield appropriately—many accidents happen because one or more drivers misjudge the right-of-way, roll through a stop, or fail to notice another vehicle. These cases can become complicated, as fault depends not only on who had the legal duty to yield but also on whether all drivers followed traffic laws and exercised reasonable care.

Two-Way Stop Signs

At two-way stop intersections, only drivers approaching from certain directions must stop, while cross-traffic continues without interruption. Most accidents occur when a driver at the stop sign incorrectly assumes it is safe to proceed, misjudges the speed of oncoming vehicles, or performs a rolling stop. In these cases, fault typically rests with the driver who failed to yield.

Four-Way Stop Signs

Four-way stops require every driver to come to a complete halt. Accidents often arise when drivers either ignore the full stop requirement or proceed out of order. California law generally gives the right-of-way to the first driver who stops, but when vehicles arrive simultaneously, confusion can quickly lead to collisions.

Right-of-Way Rules

Right-of-way rules exist to bring order and predictability to intersections. At stop signs, the driver on the right usually has priority if two vehicles arrive at the same time. However, accidents happen when drivers misunderstand these rules or act impatiently. Establishing fault often comes down to determining which driver had the legal right-of-way and whether the other driver failed to respect it.

Accidents Due to Improper Signaling

Improper or absent signaling is a major factor in many traffic accidents. Signals are designed to communicate a driver’s intentions clearly, giving others on the road enough time to respond safely. When a driver fails to signal, signals incorrectly, or makes a sudden move without warning, the chances of a collision increase dramatically.

These accidents are not always straightforward. While the driver who failed to signal is usually at fault, exceptions exist when other drivers act recklessly or misinterpret the situation.

Common Signaling Mistakes Include

• Failing to signal before changing lanes or turning.
• Activating the turn signal too late, leaving others without time to react.
• Forgetting to turn off the signal after completing a maneuver, causing confusion.
• Using the wrong signal direction (e.g., signaling right but turning left).
• Making abrupt or multiple lane changes without signaling.

Potential Consequences of Improper Signaling

• Rear-end collisions, when a driver suddenly brakes or turns without warning.
• Side-impact crashes, when another vehicle is struck by an unexpected lane change.
• Multi-car pileups in heavy traffic, due to chain reactions from one driver’s mistake.

Ultimately, signaling errors are often viewed as negligence under California law. However, fault can be shared if other factors, such as speeding, distracted driving, or ignoring traffic signals, also contributed to the accident.

Accidents Involving Turns

Turn-related crashes are among the most frequent types of car accidents in California. Whether at busy intersections or smaller side streets, these accidents often come down to questions of right-of-way and whether a driver acted reasonably under the circumstances. Both right turns and left turns carry unique risks, and determining fault often requires a close look at traffic signals, driver behavior, and surrounding conditions.

Right Turns

Right-turn accidents typically occur when a driver fails to yield to oncoming traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians. While right turns are generally considered safer than left turns, they can still cause serious crashes when performed carelessly.

• Failing to stop completely at a red light before turning.
• Turning into the wrong lane and sideswiping another car.
• Not yielding to pedestrians who have the crosswalk signal.
• Cutting off a cyclist traveling in the bike lane.

Left Turns

Left turns are among the riskiest maneuvers because they require crossing one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. California law requires drivers to yield until it is completely safe to turn, unless a protected green arrow gives them the right-of-way.

• Misjudging the speed of oncoming vehicles.
• Attempting to “beat the light” before it turns red.
• Failing to yield to pedestrians or cyclists.
• Turning without adequate visibility due to weather or obstructed views.

Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Although left-turning drivers are often assumed to be at fault, that presumption is not absolute. Certain circumstances can shift or share liability:

• The oncoming driver was speeding well above the limit.
• A driver ran a red light or stop sign and entered the intersection unlawfully.
• Unexpected road hazards or mechanical failures forced a turning driver to stop mid-turn.
• The other driver was distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents in California. They typically occur in heavy traffic, at intersections, or when drivers are distracted. While these crashes often seem straightforward, determining liability can sometimes be more complex than expected.

Responsibility of the Following Driver

In most cases, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is considered at fault. California law requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance and pay attention to changing traffic conditions. If a driver is speeding, tailgating, or distracted and fails to stop in time, they are generally responsible for the damages.

Cases Where the Lead Driver May Be at Fault

Although less common, the lead driver can sometimes share or carry full responsibility. This may happen if:

• The lead driver suddenly reverses without reason.
• Brake lights or hazard lights are not functioning properly.
• The driver stops abruptly in a travel lane without cause.
• The driver engages in reckless or unpredictable maneuvers.

Side-Impact (T-Bone) Collisions

Side-impact collisions, often called T-bone accidents, occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. These crashes frequently happen at intersections and can cause serious injuries due to the limited protection on the sides of vehicles. Determining fault often depends on who had the right-of-way and whether traffic laws were followed.

Responsibility at Intersections

In most side-impact accidents at intersections, the driver who fails to yield is considered at fault. This includes situations such as running a red light, ignoring a stop sign, or turning without checking for oncoming traffic. Right-of-way laws are key in establishing liability, and evidence from traffic cameras, police reports, and witness statements often helps clarify the events.

Exceptions Based on Other Drivers’ Behavior

Although the driver who violates right-of-way is usually responsible, exceptions can shift or share liability. Fault may be affected if: 

• The other driver enters the intersection illegally.
• A driver runs a red light or stop sign unexpectedly.
• One driver is speeding, distracted, or impaired.
• Unforeseen circumstances, such as mechanical failure or poor weather, contribute to the collision.

🚗 According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 40,000 fatal traffic accidents nationwide in 2024. The most common causes were rear-end collisions and crashes related to distracted driving.

How Fault Is Determined in Traffic Accidents

In California, determining who is liable for a traffic accident is essential to ensure that victims receive fair compensation. The state’s comparative negligence laws allow liability to be accurately assigned to each driver involved, even when multiple parties are at fault. This system ensures that each driver’s role in the accident is accurately reflected in the claim and appropriately impacts the compensation awarded.

Proving Negligence in California

To determine fault in a traffic accident, it must be proven that a driver acted negligently. According to common law, a driver is negligent if they fail to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner, which directly causes an accident. Under state law, negligence may also be established if a driver violates a specific law or regulation, such as a section of the California Vehicle Code.

For example, a driver who runs a red light or texts while driving may be considered negligent under both common and state law.

How Insurance Companies Assess Fault

Insurance companies rely on various types of evidence to determine who is at fault, including:

• Photos and videos of the accident scene
• Witness statements
• Medical reports
• Invoices, receipts, and documents showing income loss, property damage, and medical expenses
• Expert testimony in areas such as medicine, biomechanics, occupational rehabilitation, and accident reconstruction

The Role of Vehicle Damage

Although vehicle damage can provide important clues about who was at fault, it is rarely decisive on its own. To reach a fair conclusion, investigators consider the entire accident scene, relevant traffic laws, driver behavior, and supporting evidence.

As previously mentioned, California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which permits injured parties to seek compensation even if they are mostly at fault, up to 99%. This differs from states with modified comparative negligence, where plaintiffs cannot recover damages if they are 50% or more responsible for the crash.

Insurance Investigation Timelines

Under California law, insurance companies have 40 days to complete their investigation after receiving a claim. If they require more time, they must notify you every 30 days. Once liability and damages are agreed upon, payment must be issued within 30 days.

Get the Legal Help You Need with Adamson Ahdoot

Determining liability after a car accident is complex, and not every lawyer has the knowledge or experience to handle it effectively. At Adamson Ahdoot, our attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience, and we are dedicated to helping you recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Our bilingual team can assist you in English or Spanish, ensuring you receive personalized attention every step of the way.

The best way to understand your options is through a free, no-obligation consultation. Our specialists will review your case, explain your rights, and outline the legal strategies available to you.

You pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (866) 645-4992 today to take the first step toward justice and the compensation you deserve.