Plenty of drivers come away from an accident unsure of who was at fault — it happens in the moment, when things are fast and stressful. The good news is that you don't have to work it out yourself at the scene. Here's what to do when you're not sure who was at fault, and how it gets sorted out.
Accidents happen quickly, and in the aftermath it's common to be uncertain about exactly what occurred. You might both think the other was in the wrong, or the sequence of events might not be clear. That's completely normal, and it doesn't mean you can't get help.
What matters is that you collect the right information at the scene so the situation can be assessed properly afterwards.
Follow the same steps as any accident: check that everyone is safe, call 000 if anyone is hurt, swap details with the other driver, and take photos. Don't admit fault — as our guide on why you shouldn't admit fault at the scene explains, an off-the-cuff admission can work against you.
The photos and details you collect are what get used to work out what happened. Get both cars from several angles, both number plates, the road and the damage. Our guide on what photos to take after a car accident has the full checklist.
Fault is assessed on the evidence rather than on what anyone said at the scene. The position of the cars, the location and angle of the damage, the road layout, signs and lights, witness accounts and the photos all feed into it. Sometimes it's clear; sometimes it's shared; occasionally it takes a little longer to establish.
You don't have to make that call yourself. That's part of what we help with.
Fault can be shared between drivers in some accidents. If that's the case, it affects how costs are recovered, and it's something that needs to be worked through carefully. We can talk you through what it means for your situation if it comes up.
Either way, the starting point is the same: collect the details and photos, don't admit fault, and get in touch so the situation can be assessed.
YBV Group helps untangle who was at fault and, where you're not at fault, handles the recovery of your costs from the at-fault driver or their insurer. We look at what you've collected and take it from there, so you're not arguing with the other side yourself.
While it's being sorted out, we can arrange a comparable replacement vehicle and manage your panel beating and smash repairs, so you're not left in limbo. You deal with one point of contact from our base in Brighton, serving drivers across Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, including nearby Cheltenham and Ormond.
Being unsure who was at fault is normal — you don't have to work it out at the scene. Collect details and photos, don't admit fault, and let YBV Group help assess it and recover your costs where you're not at fault. Check your eligibility on our contact page or call 0481 797 861. This article is general information only and isn't legal or insurance advice. Eligibility conditions apply.
We'll arrange your replacement vehicle, manage your repairs and recover your costs from the at-fault driver. Serving Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs from Brighton. Eligibility conditions apply.
