While it is devastating to be involved in a car accident, finding out that you are the one at fault can be even more distressing. Even if the accident was not intentional, you might still be considered at fault accident if your actions or lack of actions resulted in the crash.
Living in a No Fault Accident State
Several states have implemented the no-fault auto insurance system, which means you don’t have to worry about increased insurance rates if you’re involved in a minor accident, even when you are at fault. These states include Washington, Utah, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas, Hawaii, and Florida.
In these states, drivers are obliged to attain the costs of their medical bills, car damage, and other losses resulting from the car accident from their own auto insurance coverage, irrespective of whose fault it was.
However, there are still possibilities of facing a personal injury or liability claim if the requirements of your state on taking the claim outside a no-fault system are met. This means if someone gets severely injured and has to pay for their medical bills beyond a specified amount, or the injuries are too severe as per the standards of your state, then you might face a liability claim.
At Fault Accident: Insurance Consequences
In other states, if you are found to be responsible for an accident, your insurance company will raise the insurance rate. However, if correctly leveraged, your clean driving record might prevent a major rate hike. Here are the consequences you would have to face if you have sufficient coverage or insufficient coverage:
Sufficient Auto Insurance Coverage
As mentioned above, your premium rate will be increased by your insurance company if you are at-fault. If you have a good amount of insurance coverage, your insurance company will defend you in any cases made against you and cover all the losses you faced as a result of the accident.
Insufficient Auto Insurance Coverage
If you are found to be at-fault for a car accident and you don’t have sufficient insurance coverage or none at all, then you will be held personally liable for the injuries sustained by others and vehicle damages caused by you.
In case you don’t have enough assets or a steady income, you will still have to pay an amount feasible for you. Aside from this, you will have to pay for your own injuries and vehicle damage.
While some accidents are unavoidable, for instance, vehicle malfunction, most auto accidents can be easily avoided if drivers pay attention. The best way to protect yourself from an injury and property damage, as well as avoiding a personal injury claim against yourself, is to practice safe driving skills and obey all the road rules.
Car Accident? Call Attorney Javier Marcos
In case you are involved in an at fault accident or no fault accident, it is essential that you consult a personal injury attorney to file a claim on your behalf, ensure that you are sentenced to the least amount of penalties and that your rights are protected. Call Attorney Javier Marcos for any type of accident. We are open 24 hrs for free consultations, there is no payment unless we win the case. We go to you and we all speak Spanish. Call 713-999-4444.
Espanol: