The at-fault party is the person or entity who is legally responsible for causing an accident or injury due to their negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. This is the individual or organization that failed to exercise reasonable care, broke a law, or acted in a way that a reasonable person wouldn't have acted under the same circumstances. In simple terms, the at-fault party is the one who "caused" the accident and is therefore responsible for paying compensation to the injured person.
Determining who is at fault is often the central question in personal injury cases, and it's not always straightforward since multiple parties might share responsibility for an accident. Insurance companies, lawyers, and sometimes courts will investigate the circumstances of the incident to determine fault by looking at evidence like police reports, witness statements, photos, and expert testimony. Once the at-fault party is identified, their insurance company is typically responsible for paying the injured person's medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, though in some cases the at-fault party might have to pay out of their own pocket if they don't have adequate insurance coverage.
