An average of thirteen car accidents happen every minute in the United States.
This is a disquieting statistic that might cause you to pause and reflect. You might be asking yourself, “What would I do if I caused a car accident?”
In a split second, an ordinary drive can turn into a tumultuous whirl of emotions, potential legal implications, and financial uncertainties. The road, quite literally, can take an unexpected turn.
To help clear up the confusion, we have written a guide. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.
Know What to Do Right After a Car Accident
Right after a car crash, the first thing you should do is stay calm. Even if you are at fault, try to keep a clear head. Make sure everyone involved is okay and call for medical help if needed.
Then, call the police to report the accident. You’ll also want to inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as you can.
Know What Not to Do
There are a few things an at-fault driver should never do after a car crash. Don’t leave the accident scene. Leaving without exchanging information or reporting, is known as a “hit and run”, and it’s against the law.
Also, don’t neglect to report the accident to your insurance company. This could lead to serious problems down the line, especially if a Utah personal injury claim is made against you.
Learn What “At Fault” Means
“At fault” is a term used in car accidents to identify who caused the incident.
If you’re the at-fault driver, it means your actions, neglect, or violation of traffic rules led to the car crash. In other words, it’s your responsibility, and you could be held liable for damages or injuries resulting from the accident.
Understand Why Fault Is Important?
Determining who is at fault is critical in car accident cases. Why? Because the at-fault driver (or their insurance) is typically responsible for paying for damages.
This includes car repair costs, medical expenses for car crash injuries, and other losses suffered by the other party. If you’re at fault in a car accident, your insurance after a car crash might see an increase in premiums.
Learn How Officials Determine Fault
When officials arrive at an accident scene, they gather information to decide who is at fault.
They may look at skid marks, vehicle damage, and talk to witnesses. The at-fault driver usually gets a citation or ticket. In some cases, if a personal injury in Utah or elsewhere is serious, they could face legal charges.
What If You Are Only Partially at Fault?
Sometimes, both drivers share responsibility for an accident. This is known as “comparative fault”. For example, maybe you were speeding, but the other driver ran a red light. In this case, each driver may be assigned a percentage of fault. If you are partially at fault, your insurance company will typically be responsible for that portion of the damages.
It’s important to work with your insurance company and potentially a lawyer to navigate these complex scenarios.
Figure Out What Damages Are Covered
After a car crash, understanding what damages are covered can be confusing, especially when you’re at fault. Typically, your liability coverage will pay for the other driver’s car repair and medical expenses. For your own vehicle, unless you have collision coverage, repairs may not be covered. Every policy is different, so read through yours carefully to see what’s included. You have a right to use your car insurance policy coverages that you pay for, this is true regardless of if you are at fault or not.
Tell Your Insurance Company
It’s crucial to tell your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. This step allows them to start processing your claim and defend you if the other driver files a lawsuit.
To do this, call your agent or claims hotline, explain what happened, and provide any requested documents.
Hire a Skilled Attorney
Hiring a car accident attorney is a smart move after a serious accident. This is an especially important thing to do if you’re not at fault. An attorney can help protect your rights. They will also guide you through complex legal proceedings, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
To find the right car accident lawyer, look for someone with experience in personal injury law, a good track record, and excellent reviews from clients. If your accident happened in Utah, for instance, search specifically for a Utah car accident lawyer who is familiar with the state’s laws. Once you find the right attorney, you’ll need to know what types of questions to ask.
Discuss with your attorney about your potential liabilities, what defense strategies may be viable, and what steps you should take next to limit any negative consequences.
You should also ask how their experience can be applied to your case, and what your best and worst-case scenarios might be.
What to Do After a Car Crash
It can be incredibly stressful if you are the at-fault driver in a car crash. By understanding what steps you’ll need to take, it will become easier for you to navigate this process. You should make sure to immediately report the accident after it takes place. It’s important to know that if you are not at fault making a claim towards your insurance should not increase your rates. You have a right to use your insurance since you pay for it to protect you against this kind of risk.
While we do not provide any legal counsel to defendants like at fault drivers its important to understand what to do if it ever is something that happens.
If you were in an incident, injured and not at fault that’s where Johnson Livingston comes in. We will focus on your case so that you can focus on getting better. Don’t hesitate to contact us to get started today!
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