Maison Law helps injured drivers in Turlock sort through the car accident claims process–especially when questions come up about fault, insurance, and whether you need a lawyer at all. The truth is, even in so-called “no-fault” situations, injuries can complicate things more than you’d expect. If you’ve been hurt in a crash and want to know what your options really look like, we’re here to talk through it with you–starting with a free consultation.
What’s a “No-Fault” Car Accident?
A “no-fault” car accident is often used to describe a crash where no one is clearly to blame–or where both drivers share some fault. But legally, a “no-fault” system refers to a setup where each driver turns to their own insurance for medical costs, no matter who caused the accident.
In Turlock (and throughout California), the law follows an at-fault system, not a no-fault one. That means someone will ultimately be held responsible for paying for the resulting losses that come from an accident, usually through:
- Your own auto insurance, especially if you have MedPay or collision coverage
- Another driver’s insurance, if they’re found to be at fault
While “no-fault” car accidents don’t legally exist in California, there are still some common scenarios that come up that could be accurately described as “no-fault”:
- Swerving – This can happen when a driver swerves to miss a dog in the road but ends up crashing into a parked car. Even though it was an emergency move, they may still be responsible for the damage caused.
- Parking lot bumps – This happens when two drivers back out of spaces at the same time and collide. It might seem like nobody’s really at fault, but insurance companies usually look at right-of-way and awareness to determine liability.
- Weather-related accidents – This happens when someone loses control on a rainy road and slides into another vehicle. Even though the weather played a role, the driver can still be found at fault for going too fast for the conditions.
- Multi-car accidents – This happens when one car rear-ends another on the freeway, setting off a multi-car pileup. Even though several drivers are involved, investigators usually trace it back to the first driver who didn’t stop in time.
- Shared fault – This happens when two drivers break traffic rules—like one speeding and the other running a stop sign. In California, both can be assigned a percentage of fault, and damages are split accordingly.
Even in low-speed crashes or situations where fault isn’t immediately obvious, California law still focuses on one key question: who caused the accident? That’s what determines who’s responsible for the damages.
How Does the Claims Process Play Out in a “No-Fault”-Type Accident in Turlock?
Even in accidents where no one seems clearly to blame–like a low-speed collision in a Raley’s parking lot where both drivers claim the other backed up first–California law still requires someone to be held responsible. These murky “no-fault” type scenarios are more common than people think, and they tend to slow things down.
This is because the claims process in Turlock hinges on determining fault. If both drivers share some blame, or the story isn’t adding up, insurance companies may delay resolving the claim until liability is sorted out. It might involve back-and-forth between both companies, witness statements, or even security footage to figure out who should pay.
Once fault is figured out, the claims process usually follows one of two paths:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a lawsuit
It’s probably likely that an insurance claim will be all you need in a minor accident. However, every accident is different–even a minor one can leave you unforeseen injuries or damage to your car. So it all comes down to your needs, and our team can help you make the best decision so you can recover damages for things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Car repair/replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
California law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a claim–but that time can go by fast, especially if you’re still sorting out who was at-fault. If you miss the deadline, you could lose your chance to file a claim altogether.
What Do You Need to Do After the Car Accident Happens?
If you’ve just been in a minor accident in Turlock–say, someone backed into your car outside a store on Geer Road or clipped you while merging on Golden State Boulevard–it might not seem serious enough to worry about. But skipping those early steps can create major problems if injuries show up later or if the other driver changes their story. Even in a situation where fault feels unclear, taking the following steps can protect you:
- Document the scene – Take pictures of the vehicles, license plates, street signs, any visible damage, and the surrounding scene. Even tire marks in a parking lot can help paint a picture later.
- Exchange information with anyone else – Get the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and plate number. If anyone saw the accident, ask for their contact info too.
- Be careful – It’s natural to say “I’m okay” or “sorry,” but it’s better to stick to the facts. Injuries like whiplash often don’t show up until hours–or days–later.
- Save everything – Whether it’s a police report, ER visit, or estimate from the body shop, keep it all in one place. If the insurance company challenges your claim later, you’ll want a paper trail.
These quick actions can go a long way in helping your claim move forward–especially if the story around “fault” starts to shift after the fact. From there, our team at Maison Law can guide you through the process. Set up a free consultation with our team today to get started.
