[Becoming an Insurance Insider] Car Accident 'Kkik! Kung!'... Fault Ratio Disputes Exceed 100,000 Cases

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[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] When a traffic accident occurs, after providing aid to the victim, it is necessary to preserve the scene and secure circumstantial evidence. This is to determine the fault ratio. Many drivers' fortunes vary greatly due to the fault ratio, which indicates the degree of responsibility of the perpetrator and the victim. So, what is the fault ratio that Korean drivers are most curious about?

According to the fault ratio search rankings on the Korea Non-Life Insurance Association's Fault Ratio Information Portal, "lane change (course change) accident" ranks first with 11,938 cases as of the 15th.

This refers to an accident where a vehicle (A) traveling ahead on the road changes lanes and collides with a vehicle (B) going straight behind it, with the basic fault ratio set at A70:B30.

The leading vehicle attempting to change lanes (course) must secure sufficient distance from the trailing vehicle in the lane it intends to enter and must operate the steering and braking devices accurately to avoid causing danger to the trailing vehicle.

Although the leading vehicle changing lanes bears greater fault, the trailing vehicle is also judged to have a duty of care to always watch ahead while driving and to prevent accidents by slowing down or braking when the leading vehicle changes lanes (course).

Other frequently searched fault ratio cases include "rear-end collision during parking or stopping" (7,801 cases), "rear-end collision while both vehicles are moving" (6,513 cases), and "straight vs. left turn accident" (6,344 cases). Additionally, "parking lot accidents," "sudden lane change during congestion," "accidents after stopping and starting," and "right turn vs. straight accidents" ranked high.

Fault Ratio in Lane Change (Course Change) Accidents (Source: General Insurance Association)

Rapid Increase in Fault Ratio Disputes Due to Dashcam Popularization

According to the Non-Life Insurance Association, the number of fault ratio dispute reviews for car accidents has sharply increased in recent years. This is because more drivers want to verify fault ratios as recording devices such as dashcams and CCTVs have become widespread.

Last year, the number of reviews requested to the Fault Ratio Review Committee was 102,456 cases, a 35.5% increase compared to the previous year (75,597 cases). Last year was the first time the number of fault ratio dispute reviews exceeded 100,000.

The insurance industry accepts fault without dispute in about 80% of all accidents, such as one-sided fault (100:0), but the remaining approximately 20% require fault determination due to mutual disputes.

The Fault Ratio Review Committee is an organization operated by the Non-Life Insurance Association to promptly and fairly handle car accident fault ratio disputes, currently involving 14 non-life insurance companies and 6 mutual aid associations.

A casebook has also been published to help consumers more easily understand the fault ratios of frequently occurring recent traffic accidents.

The Non-Life Insurance Association classified 226 recent dispute review cases by type and published the "Car Accident Fault Ratio Dispute Review Casebook," which includes the claims of the parties involved and the basis for fault ratio decisions. It will be distributed to insurance companies, the legal community, and traffic accident-related organizations, and posted on the Fault Ratio Information Portal so that anyone can download and refer to the materials.