Who is responsible?
After an accident you need to decide who is responsible.
The person who is at fault is the person who caused the accident. Sometimes more than one person is at fault. However, the person responsible for paying for the damage may be someone else not involved in the accident, for example, an employer.
This section covers:
Fault
If a person causes an accident because of their negligence, then they are at fault. A person may be negligent if they did not take reasonable care when they were driving. For example, if they failed to check a blind spot or they drove too fast around a corner in heavy rain.
Sometimes both drivers may be at fault and other times no one will be at fault.
For more information, see Fault.
Owners and drivers
A driver at fault may not always be the person who ends up paying for the damage. In some cases, the owner of the vehicle may be responsible.
For more information, see Owners and drivers.
Driving for work
If you are involved in an accident with someone who is driving for work, you may be able to make a claim against their employer.
If you are driving for work and cause an accident, your employer may have to cover you for the costs of the accident.
For more information, see Driving for work.
Taxis, buses and trucks
If you are involved in an accident with a taxi, bus or truck, it may be difficult to work out who is responsible for paying for the cost of repairing your vehicle. The person driving a taxi, bus or truck might not be the owner and might not be insured.
For more information, see Taxis, buses and trucks.
Hire cars
The owner of a hire car is not usually responsible for the damage caused by the driver of that car.
If the hire car company provides a driver, then the hire car company is usually responsible for the damage caused by the driver.
You also need to find out what kind of insurance the hire car driver has.
For more information, see Hire cars.
Bikes
If a bicycle rider is at fault in an accident, they can be responsible for the damage caused. However, there are some specific road rules for bicycles.
For more information, see Bikes.
Accidents involving animals
If you have an accident involving an animal, you may be able to make a claim against the owner of the animal. You may also have responsibilities towards the animal or the animal's owner.
For more information, see Accidents involving animals.