How to Determine Who is at Fault in a Roundabout Car Accident

Roundabouts are supposed to make driving safer. Fewer traffic signals. Less stop-and-go. A better flow. But if you have ever been caught in one during rush hour, you know it can feel like organized chaos.

And when crashes happen in a roundabout, the confusion does not stop when the cars do.

Who is responsible? Who had the right of way? Was it the driver merging in, or the one already circling? In Tennessee, figuring out fault in a roundabout car accident can be tricky.

But it matters. A lot.

Understanding who caused the crash affects not only your insurance claim, but also your ability to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That is why we are breaking it down clearly, step by step.

Why roundabouts can be so confusing after a crash

Roundabouts are not new, but they are not exactly common in every Tennessee town either. And that lack of familiarity? It leads to mistakes.

Here is how roundabouts work in theory:

• Drivers yield on entry.
• Once inside, they travel counterclockwise.
• They exit from the appropriate lane when ready.

Easy enough, right?

Now add in distracted drivers. Speeders. Someone who is not sure which lane they should be in. Someone who thinks they have the right of way when they do not.

That is when things go sideways.

Multi-lane roundabouts can be especially confusing. Who yields to who? What if two people try to exit at the same time from different lanes?

Even experienced drivers can mess up. And when a crash happens, it is not always obvious who is at fault.

Common types of roundabout accidents

Let us look at a few of the most frequent scenarios we see here in Tennessee:

• Entry collision: A driver enters the roundabout without yielding and hits a vehicle already circulating.
• Improper exit: A car in the inside lane tries to exit and cuts across another vehicle in the outside lane.
• Rear-end crash: A driver slows or stops at the yield line, and the vehicle behind them does not.
• Sideswipe: Two vehicles are traveling side-by-side in separate lanes, and one drifts during the curve.

Sound familiar?

Each of these situations has a different likely outcome when it comes to fault, but it is not always clear-cut. Tennessee law does not have a “roundabout rulebook” that spells out every scenario. Instead, we rely on general traffic laws and right-of-way rules.

How fault is determined in a roundabout crash

So how do insurance companies, police, and courts figure out who is to blame?

They start with a basic principle: right of way.

In Tennessee, anyone entering a roundabout must yield to traffic already in the circle. Period. The Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual lays this out pretty clearly. That means if you are inside the roundabout and someone hits you while merging in, they are probably at fault.

But that is just the start.

Other things that help determine fault include:

• Dashcam or traffic camera footage
• Witness statements
• Police accident reports
• Photos showing the damage and final vehicle positions
• Skid marks or debris in the road

Insurance companies will also look at comparative fault, which Tennessee uses. This means fault can be shared. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. But if the other driver is mostly to blame? You may still recover something, just reduced by your share of the fault.

This is where a bold and experienced car accident lawyer can step in and make a difference—gathering evidence, building your side of the story, and challenging unfair blame.

Careful what you say

After a crash, adrenaline is high. People are shaken up. And we tend to say things we should not.

“Sorry!” “I did not see you.” “I think it might have been my fault.”

Sounds polite, right? But those words can come back to bite you. Insurance adjusters may use them to argue against your claim.

So, what should you do instead?

• Exchange insurance and contact info.
• Do not argue.
• Do not guess what happened.
• Do not apologize.

Let the evidence—and if needed, a car accident lawyer—speak for you later.

What to do after a roundabout accident

Here is your step-by-step plan, even if the damage seems minor:

1. Move to a safe spot. Get out of traffic if you can.
2. Call 911. Even for a fender bender, get a report.
3. Take pictures. Vehicle positions, damage, road signs, and anything that seems relevant.
4. Get contact info. The other driver, their insurer, and any witnesses.
5. Write down what happened. While it is still fresh.
6. Do not say too much. Especially about fault.
7. See a doctor. Some injuries—like whiplash or concussions—do not show up right away.

And if you are injured, or if the other driver’s insurer starts pushing you for a recorded statement? Do not wait. Talk to a professional as soon as possible.

When legal help might be necessary

Some crashes are easy. You file a claim, and you are good.

But others? Not so much.

What if the other driver blames you? What if their insurance company will not pay enough—or at all? What if you are missing work, in pain, and stuck with a growing pile of medical bills?

That is when calling a car accident lawyer becomes less of a “maybe” and more of a “must.”

A lawyer can:

• Investigate fault
• Collect supporting evidence
• Talk to insurance companies for you
• Handle deadlines and legal paperwork
• Fight for a fair settlement—or go to court if needed

You do not have to do it all alone.

What to remember (and what to do next)

Accidents in roundabouts are more common than you think—and more complicated than they look. Figuring out who is at fault is not just about what feels right. It is about what the law says, what the evidence shows, and who you have on your side.

If you were hurt in a roundabout crash in Tennessee, do not leave your future up to guesswork.

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we are a team of experienced car accident lawyers who fight for real people—people like you—who need someone in their corner. We can review your case, explain your options, and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact us for a free consultation today. We have offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro.